HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-27-07-07 City of Lakeville
Economic Development Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2007
Marion Conference Room, City Hall
Members Present: Comms. Matasosky, Pogatchnik, Tushie, Brantly, Emond, Schubert,
Gehrke, Erickson, Vlasak, Ex-officio member City Administrator Steve Mielke, Ex-officio
member Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Todd Bornhauser.
Members Absent:. Comm. Smith.
Others Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Adam
Kienberger, Economic Development Specialist; Daryl Morey, Planning Director.
1. Call Meeting to Order.
Chair Matasosky called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in .the Marion Conference
Room of City Hall, 20195 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, Minnesota.
2. Introduction of new EDC Member Dan Vlasak
• 3. Approve January 30, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Motion 07.04 Comms. Erickson/Pogatchnik moved to approve the minutes of the
January 30, 2007 meeting as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
4. Review and Discussion of Proposed Sign Ordinance Changes
Mr. Morey reviewed the memorandum prepared by Dan Licht of NAC, the City's
planning consultant, regarding proposed changes to the City's sign ordinance.
The EDC .members were shown examples of different types of signs around
Lakeville and Mr. Morey added that the proposed changes were primarily impacting
sandwich boards, real estate signs, miscellaneous temporary signs, and balloon
signs.
Several Members asked questions about the limits on for sale/lease signs for
existing buildings and how that could have a negative impact on area businesses.
Mr. Morey responded that existing buildings would be grandfathered in under the
new proposed ordinance and would still be able to advertise space for sale/lease on
an independent free-standing sign in accordance with the zoning code. .New
buildings would be required to utilize an additional 32 square feet on a current
monument sign for advertising space for sale/lease.
Economic Development Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2007
• Comm. Gehrke asked if the additional allowed space on a new free-standing sign
would be able to advertise other items when not in use for advertising space for
sale/lease.
Mr. Morey responded that the additional allowed space on new free-standing signs
would be reserved exclusively. for space for sale/lease signage.
Chair Matasosky inquired about the current legality of residential real estate open
house and similar signs.
Mr. Morey responded that these signs have always been illegal and are enforced if
they are in the right-of-way and pose a safety or traffic hazard.
Mr. Morey explained the current rules for permitting a temporary sign and noted that
by eliminating temporary signage, enforcement would be easier due to the ability to
easily identify illegal signage.
Mr. Mielke added that one of the reasons for sale/lease signs are being addressed in
this sign ordinance amendment is because some signs are left up permanently even
after a space is fully leased.
Comm. Tushie asked about the potential impact of signs located within businesses
that are visible from .outside.
Mr. Morey stated that the sign ordinance does not restrict signage within a business
unless the signage visible to the outside can be perceived as a public safety issue,
i.e. flashing, strobe etc.
Comm. Brantly asked if the proposed ordinance would eliminate neon or other
illuminated signs.
Mr. Olson responded .that only electronic signs with changeable copy are being
proposed to be eliminated. The exceptions to this .are gas prices and
time/temperature bank signs.
Mr. Bornhauser stated that if all of the existing buildings in Lakeville are
grandfathered in under the proposed ordinance, not much is truly being
accomplished in addressing current problems with signage.
Chair Matasosky stated. that for salellease signs are important for businesses
because a lot of calls are still generated from signs.
Comm. Tushie inquired about developing a community standard and specifications
for sale/lease signs.
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Economic Development Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2007
• Mr. Mielke responded. that it would be difficult because the intention of the proposed
changes in the ordinance is to become content .neutral, and this would also likely
apply to colors.
.Chair Matasosky added that this would be an undue hardship on a business that
takes a downturn and needs to lease out some space to keep .their business viable.
Comm. Pogatchnik stated that the proposed ordinance doesn't really clear out the
existing problems.
Comm.. Brantly added that temporary signs are not part of the common good of the
community.
Comma Tushie also noted that most temporary and portable signage goes against
Lakeviile's corridor design study that was done several years ago.
Mr. Mielke summed up the discussion. by stating that a sign ordinance should try to
balance taste and regulation. The EDC members should look at various signs
around town and submit comments to City staff within the next couple of weeks.
5. Review of 2006 Economic Development Annual Report
Mr. Olson reviewed the 2006 Economic Development Annual Report and noted that
it would be presented to the City Council at their March 5, 2007 meeting.
6. Director's Report
Mr. Olson reviewed the Director's Report and highlighted the Cub Foods project that
was approved at the February 20t", 2007 City Council meeting.
7. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by: Attested to:
Adam Kienberger R. T. Brantly, Secr ary
Economic Develo ment Specialist
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