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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes-20090914 City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – September 14, 2009 Page 1 of 4 Hastings Planning Commission September 14, 2009 Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. McInnis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call 1. Commissioners Present: McInnis, Peine, Slaten, Stevens, Vaughn (arrived at 7:04), Zeyen Commissioners Absent: Bullington Staff Present: Planning Director Hinzman, Associate Planner Barker Approval of Minutes 2. –August 24, 2009 Motion by Commissioner Stevens to approve the August 24, 2009, meeting minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Slaten. Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried. Planning Director Hinzman requested a modification to the agenda to take action on the YMCA project prior to the ordinance amendment. Hearing no objections, the agenda was modified. Commissioner Vaughn arrived. OTHER ACTIONS YMCA 3. – Site Plan #2009-25 – Construction of a Garage – 920 Nininger Road. Associate Planner Kari Barker presented a staff report. Commissioner Vaughan inquired how many structures could be on the property. Planning Director Hinzman stated that there are not a specific number of structures allowed, as there is a size and number restriction in the residential districts. He further stated that the number of structures is determined through Site Plan approvals. Peine stated he was abstaining from the vote as he had involvement with the project. Motion by Commissioner Zeyen to approve the Site Plan for construction of a garage at 920 Nininger Road. Seconded by Commissioner Slaten. Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0, Abstain 1. Motion carried. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – September 14, 2009 Page 2 of 4 PUBLIC HEARINGS City of Hastings 4. – Ordinance Amendment #2009-20 – Amend City Code 155.08, Portable Signs. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the public hearing would continue to be tabled. Planning Director Hinzman provided a staff report. Commissioner Stevens asked for clarification into the jumbo tron signs. He inquired if jumbo trons were the type of signage at the Excel Center. Planning Director Hinzman confirmed this. Commissioner Vaughan inquired as to how signage was enforced. Planning Director Hinzman stated that enforcement fell within the duties of the Planning Department. Associate Planner Barker stated that during the summer, a sweep of the City is done almost weekly due to garage sale sign removal. She further stated that in winter months, a sweep is done monthly. Associate Planner Barker also stated that the Code Enforcement and Building Department monitors signs and reports back to the Planning Department. Commissioner Slaten inquired into the type of sign at the football field. Planning Director Hinzman stated that it was an electronic graphic display sign and animation was not allowed on it. Commissioner Slaten asked if those types of signs were regulated in the ordinance. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the signs were regulated under the ordinance. Commission Zeyen asked what category signs that were brought in on wheels fell into. He also inquired into off site advertising. Planning Director Hinzman stated that these types of signs are considered portable signs and are allowed for 60 days with a permit. He also stated that signs on off site advertising are tallied for the property the sign sits on. Commissioner Vaughan questioned placement of signs on county and state roads. Planning Director Hinzman replied that no permit is necessary for these signs. Commissioner Vaughan asked what type of information business owners get regarding the sign ordinance. Associate Planner Barker stated that most business owners work with sign companies that are accustomed to sign ordinances. Thus, the sign ordinance is most often provided. However, if business owners need help interpreting the code, the Planning Departments assists them. Commissioner Vaughan stated he thought the existing sign ordinance was a good start, but there is a need to track signs consistently. Associate Barker explained that enforcement of portable signs is presently a large gray area. Commissioner Vaughan asked for clarification regarding off site advertising. Planning City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – September 14, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Director Hinzman explained that the First Amendment states that content cannot be regulated and that the City was challenged on this a few years ago. Commissioner Stevens stated that if any changes are made, it should be the same in all areas due to ease of enforcement. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the downtown area functions different as it is pedestrian oriented and signs are placed in the right-out-way. Commissioner Peine agreed sign consistency is important. He further stated that though the downtown area is unique, a balance needs to be found. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the issue of portable signs was brought up to the Planning Committee. The feedback from the Planning Committee was that portable signs were not a huge issue and that, in some cases, portable signs add character to the area. Planning Director Hinzman further stated that the Planning Committee also felt that enforcement needed to match the ordinance. Commissioner Zeyen asked where sandwich boards fall into the ordinance. Planning Director Hinzman stated that under the proposed ordinance, there were two categories based on size. Signs smaller than sixteen square feet would not require a permit while signs over sixteen square feet would need a permit. In the downtown district, the sign limit would be eight square feet. Commissioner Stevens inquired if there was a specification to where signs could be placed on the sidewalk in the downtown area. Planning Director Hinzman stated that he put language into the proposed ordinance that the sidewalk must be passable. Commissioner Slaten inquired if there had been any reports from the Downtown Car Shows regarding incidents with portable signs. Planning Director Hinzman stated he had not heard of any, but also had never inquired. Planning Director Hinzman stated he could check with the Police Department on this. Commissioner Vaughan asked if there had been any feedback from the community regarding the portable signs. Associate Planner Barker stated she had not received any complaints. Commissioner Slaten stated that perhaps a survey needed to be taken to receive feedback. Planning Director Hinzman stated that he will bring the portable sign ordinance back at the next meeting and no other changes will be made to the ordinance. Chair McInnis stated that if portable signs were going to be limited, perhaps alternative types of signage could be explored. Other Business 5. Planning Director Hinzman provided an update on upcoming Planning Commission agenda items. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – September 14, 2009 Page 4 of 4 Adjournment 6. Motion by Slaten to adjourn the September 14, 2009, Planning Commission meeting. Seconded by Vaughn. Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Next Planning Commission Meeting – Monday, September 28, 2009 Respectfully submitted, ____________________________ Kari Barker Recording Secretary