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10-08-2013 PC MIN 0 ">14'j , ElkMeeting of the Elk River Planning Commission River Held at the Elk River City Hall Tuesday, October 8, 2013 Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Eric Johnson,Jeremy Johnson, Keller, Konietzko and Westberg Members Absent: Commissioner Mike Keefe Staff Present: Deputy Director, CODD Jeremy Barnhart;Planning Intern Zach Carlton, and Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner Also Present: Councilmember Barb Burandt . Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Anderson. • 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Consider 10/8/13 Planning Commission Agenda Moved by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson and seconded by Westberg to approve the October 8,2013 Planning Commission agenda. Motion carried 6-0. 4. Consider September 10, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Motion by Commissioner Eric Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson to approve the September 10, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 6-0. 5.1 Request by City of Elk River for an Ordinance Amendment to the City's Land Use Regulations Regarding Signs, Case No. OA 13-02 — Public Hearing Zach Carlton,Planning Intern,presented the staff report. He reviewed the proposed changes to wall signage, freestanding signs,advertising signs (billboards),temporary signs, and digital signs,as recommended by the Chamber of Commerce,as well as staff III recommendations. Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 October 8,2013 Chair Anderson opened the public hearing. Annie Deckert of the Decklan Grou p,representing Granite Shores - spoke regarding history of their request for a freestanding sign with digital changeable copy. She provided a PowerPoint presentation to support their case for approval of their requested sign. She noted there is strong community support for the sign request. Debbie Ryberg,Elk River Chamber of Commerce—discussed the Chamber of Commerce recommendations for inclusion in the ordinance amendment. Commissioner Konietzko asked what changes Ms. Ryberg would rate as their highest priorities. Ms.Ryberg stated that their recommendations regarding wall signage,gateway signage and billboards would be their top priorities. Fred McCoy,McCoy's Pub, 650 Main Street—stated that he did not see any of the changes other than the 2 portable signs. He asked if any of the other recommendations by the businesses were included in the ordinance amendment. Mr. Carlton stated no. Steve Anderson,Franklin Outdoor Advertising—stated that Elk River has fewer billboards than other cities,and area businesses and churches would like more,not less. He spoke in favor of removing the"principal use"clause for billboards,allowing billboards in the CRT zoning district,digital signs,and increasing the allowed wall signage. Mr.Barnhart stated that the Chamber of Commerce requested that the amount of allowable signage be based on the scale of the building. He stated that he feels 5 percent would preserve the character of the community as it exists today. Mr.Anderson stated that less is • not better. He commended Mr.Barnhart,Mr.Leeseberg and Mr. Carlton for their efforts in working with the business community on the proposed signage amendment. Jennifer Wagner,representative for the Downtown Rivers Edge Group—stated that the business owners met with Mr. Carlton and Mr.Leeseberg to discuss their signage needs,and she was disappointed that their recommendations were not taken more into consideration. She explained that increasing the maximum window signage would allow them flexibility to for special events when more signage in needed. Ms.Wagner discussed the vinyl window signage. She stated that the businesses came to the meeting with staff with a prioritized list. She stated that the sign ordinance should help businesses,not hinder them. She questioned what staff meant by the"fragile character" of the downtown. She stated that she had a hard time understanding why the city would consider putting up their own sign at taxpayer's cost,when Granite Shores was willing to allow"sign time"to promote downtown businesses and events at no cost. She suggested asking Granite Shores for more time if staff did not feel the 20%they offered was enough. Nick Zerwas,Minnesota House Representative, 12778 183rd Court NW—indicated that he was contacted by the businesses owners who stated they were not happy with negotiations with city staff. He stated that it appears allowing 2 additional"sandwich"board signs was staff's only concession. He stated that when he served on the city council,his goal was to help businesses and signage is their number one priority. He stated that restricting wall signage to Maple Grove's standards would not be fair,unless they were going to allow the monument signage that Maple Grove allows. He recommended that at the very least, the Planning Commission adopt the language proposed by the Decklan Group to allow the proposed gateway sign for Granite Shores. 1111 Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 October 8,2013 Commissioner Jeremy Johnson stated he felt the 5 percent for wall signage seems too low, but that could vary from building to building. Commissioner Eric Johnson stated that he felt the Commission should look at recommending 10 percent. Commissioner Konietzko asked for clarification on the current allowable signage. He asked what the percentage of wall signage is allowed for the businesses where Taco Johns is located. Mr.Barnhart explained that this area is part of a PUD, so signage was negotiated as part of the PUD process and is not a specific percentage. He stated that 200 sq. ft. is allowed on that particular building. Mr.Barnhart stated that staff could go along with 10 percent. Mr. Konietzko asked if staff had any photographs of businesses with 15 percent wall signage. Mr. Carlton stated no. Commissioner Konietzko stated that he would lean toward the 15 percent amount. Mr.Barnhart explained the reason for stating the downtown character is fragile is because of pressure to move away from the historic character of the downtown. He noted that the Mississippi Connections He stated that he would admit that the existing zoning ordinance needs work and is confusing. He stated that did not ignore the downtown business owners' request;staff just did not agree with everything they asked. Chair Anderson concurred that once the downtown character is gone,it is gone forever. He stated that he did not feel comfortable making a recommendation without giving some thought to the opinions expressed tonight. He suggested tabling the issue for discussion at a workshop meeting,as well as having input from other boards. Commissioner Jeremy Johnson stated he also would support a workshop. • Commissioner Keller sated that he would be interested in seeing the signage language for Anoka's historic downtown district, or possibly Stillwater's. Mr.Barnhart stated that the Heritage Preservation Commission will meet October 17th and their comments could be available for a Planning Commission workshop on October 22nd. Ms.Deckert of Decklan Group stated that she has been working on Granite Shore's request for the past 8 months. She asked that the Commission make a recommendation on this portion of the amendment,or tell her what other information they need to make a decision. Discussion followed regarding the Granite Shores request regarding what will be advertised on the sign and how downtown events would be promoted by the sign. Mr.Westberg stated that there were favorable comments for an entrance sign to the downtown. He stated that he liked the idea of a gateway sign. He noted that there is a segment of the population that wants to hold onto the character of the downtown. He felt the wall signage could go up to 10 percent. He felt the multi-tenant signage proposal was reasonable. Commissioner Eric Johnson stated that he felt there may be some changes that could be made to make the ordinance more feasible for the downtown business owners. Chair Anderson stated that having the Planning Commission spend more time on this ordinance may save the City Council some time. He felt a workshop would allow them to look all aspects of the amendment and help them to make a better recommendation to move onto the City Council. Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 October 8,2013 Motion by Commissioner Eric Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Jeremy • Johnson to continue the discussion on the proposed ordinance amendment to the October 22,2013 meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Mr.Barnhart asked that the Commission forward any comments they may have to him and he will forward to the whole group. Commissioner Eric Johnson suggested that they address each of the bullet points raised by the business owners. Mr.Barnhart noted these issues for discussion at the workshop: • Increased percentage of wall signage • Freestanding signage in DT • The principle use clause for billboards • Billboards in the CRT • Window signage • Temporary signs 6. General Business Mr.Barnhart noted that there will be a variance request for the Board of Adjustments, as well as two land use applications for next month's meeting. Mr.Barnhart stated that a Notice of Quorum will be prepared,in the event that more than three Planning Commissioners attend the Sherburne County NEMO event scheduled for • October 24th. 6.1 City Council Liaison Update Councilmember Burandt gave an update on the following items: 1) Nature's Edge Business Center groundbreaking event;2) $3 million grant for wastewater treatment plant expansion;and 3) Park&Recreation open meeting regarding the Houlton property. 6.2 Comprehensive Plan Update Mr. Barnhart stated that final review of the revised Comprehensive Plan is on schedule for February. A public open house is scheduled for December 18`h. He explained that the maps are the final step in the draft plan, after all the text has been finalized. He stated that the Planning Commission will likely review the draft plan in February 2014. 7. Adjournment There being no further business, Commissioner Eric Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 October 8,2013 III Minutes prepared by Debbie Huebner. 7 / Tina Allard qty Jerk i Dana Anderson, Chair Planning Commission III III