Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes - October 7, 2003

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2003

Chairman Fullmer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Acting Secretary Moss called the roll; the following members were

PRESENT: Chairman, Richard Fullmer, Jr., Acting Secretary Daniel Moss, Ms. Cynthia Schulz, Mr. Fred Fahey, Mr. Edward Ziemba

ABSENT: Mr. Steve Jasinski, Mr. Robert Lube

ALSO PRESENT: Bldg. Comm..Krautstrunk, City Attorney Erik Peck, Economic Development Officer Muenzer

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The first order of business was approval of the Minutes of September 2, 2003. Mr. Fahey moved, seconded by Mr. Ziemba, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer stated that the purpose of tonight’s meeting is to review various municipal ordinances regarding electronic signs including definitions of electronic changing signs or automatic signs with messages that change frequently. City Council does not wish to strictly prohibit electronic signs and referred the matter back to the PC/ZBA for further consideration. Mr. Muenzer stated that he searched the Internet re: municipal ordinances and forwarded the results to Mr. Peck who incorporated that information into a six-page memorandum distributed to Board members tonight. Members reviewed the entire memo.

First and foremost is the question of does the City wish to make electronic changing signs a permitted use or a special use. After much discussion on the topic, Board members agreed that electronic signs should be made a special use. Mr. Krautstrunk cautioned members not to confuse electronic signs with ordinary signs used by many businesses, which are provided for in the Code. Ms. Schulz moved, seconded by Mr. Ziemba, to make electronic changing (automatic) signs a special use in the City of Countryside. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote - 5/0/2. Mr. Peck will prepare the recommendation to the City Council. The Standards shown on page 1 of the Peck Memorandum and the six items on page 2 are included as presented.

Board members noted that the definition of the above recommendation is stated on page 2 of Mr. Peck’s memorandum under 2A - Changing signs (Automatic). Flashing signs are not permitted in the City. There is no regulation on indoor Neon signs. Mr. Peck will review these definitions and put them in recommendation form for review by the Board. Mr. Fahey moved, seconded by Ms. Schulz, to accept Paragraph 2 on Page 2, Items A, B, and C as written. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote - 5/0/2.

The next step is to add general standards and design criteria listed on page 3 of the memorandum. Board members reviewed paragraphs A, B and C. Mr. Krautstrunk agreed that these items are already present in the current City Code. Paragraph D should be added to the new Code; Paragraph E needs further investigation into #1, Brightness Limitation; this would apply to all signs. Mr. Peck suggested that the city engineer review the sample criteria of existing signs to check for the 30 foot candle measure. Items 2 through 6 were reviewed and would be incorporated as presented.

On Page 4 Items F, G, H will be incorporated, Item I is already in the Code, Items J, K, and L will be included. These are general considerations for all signs.

On Page 5, Electronically Variable Message Signs (EVM) will be made a special use and are also subject to the following regulations specifically for changing signs: Paragraph 1 includes items a, b, c, d, and e as presented. Board members agreed to the limitations therein.

Further restrictions on EVM noted in paragraph 2 on page 5 are subject to illumination standards: items a and b will remain as presented; items c and d will not be included.

Mr. Peck stated that he will revise the entire memo to reflect changes made and put it in recommendation form for the next meeting. Mr. Moss suggested that it would be helpful for the two absent members to redline the changes made. Board members congratulated Mr. Muenzer and Mr. Peck for doing an outstanding job.

OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman Fullmer stated that the third quarter checks from the City were short one attendance; there were no July meetings, two in August, two in September plus the normal meeting.

The correction has been noted.

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Ziemba moved, seconded by Mr. Fahey, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN

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