HIGHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

Community Development Committee Minutes

Nov. 17, 2009, 6:30 p.m.

CDC members in attendance:  Shawn Bartsh, chair; Tia Anderson, vice-chair; Arline Datu, secretary; Katherine Soderberg; Layne Carver; Greg Campbell, community rep; Ryan O'Connor, alternate; Bill Rosenbloom, alternate.

Members absent: Marilyn Tamsky, Mark Forsberg.

Staff:  Kathy Carruth, community organizer

Others present: Heidi Braaten, O'Kane & Monssen Family Dentistry; David Eilers, 2221 Ford Pkwy; Dennis Rosemark, Legislative Aide to Councilman Harris; Emily Goodman, Planning & Economic Development

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.

Approval of October 2009 Minutes

A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed by committee to approve the October minutes.

2221 Ford Pkwy Sign Variance

Heidi Braaten and Dave Eilers came before the committee to request a variance of 200 sq. ft. from the 400 sq. ft. allowed for signage for the property at 2221 Ford Pkwy, where Haskell's and eight other tenants currently are located.  Because Haskell's signage already consumes 329 sq. ft., the variance would allow for 75-80 sq. ft. of signage for the eight other tenants.  Braaten and Eilers emphasized they wanted accord and agreement in working this out with the other tenants. 

A question was raised as to why the other tenants at 2221 Ford Pkwy didn't appear before the committee.  Greg Campbell asked why the owners of the property were not present at the meeting to request the variance.  Eilers and Braaten explained that the owners are not uninterested or indifferent. They have owned the property for 3-4 years and together with the tenants have made numerous improvements. The point was made that it is up to the property owners to decide how to portion out signage allowances to the tenants.

There was additional discussion about lighting and consistency in signage.  It was noted that other signage in the Village reflects the various logos of the individual businesses without regard to consistency. 

Shawn Bartsch made a resolution to grant a variance of 200 sq. ft. for a total of 600 sq. ft. of signage for the property at 2221 Ford Pkwy.  The resolution was seconded and passed unanimously by committee.  It was noted that the request for variance will go to the Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 30.

Dynamic Sign Ordinance

Emily Goodman provided some history on the ordinance.  In Dec. 2007, the city council approved a resolution to the zoning code regarding dynamic signs, including business and identification signs.  There are general restrictions regarding location, orientation, area, and illumination.  All existing dynamic signs are grand fathered in. Goodman is conducting lighting measurements of current signage in conjunction with researching best practices nationally on dynamic signs.

Goodman reports that the ordinance is being held up because of issues raised by City Council member Dave Thune.  Shawn asked if there is any ordinance or code that currently prohibits dynamic signs from going up.  Goodman said Thune will propose changes regarding the ordinance, which will have no impact on billboards.

Old Business

It was noted that the City Council memorialized the Walgreen's proposal.

Highland Rezoning-Kathy Carruth reported that of the letters that were sent to area businesses regarding the proposed rezoning study, only one business, expressed some concerns.  It was agreed that the next step in the process should be the committee's recommendation to the Board that a zoning study be conducted of the Highland Village business district. It was noted that part of the study is to hold public discussion with the attendant public notice regarding the process. Also noted that the zoning study comes out of the district plan, and that moving forward with it is exercising due diligence with regard to the plan.

A motion to take the recommendation to the Board for a zoning study was made seconded and passed with one vote in opposition.  

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Arline L. Datu

CDC Secretary