04-02-18 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO CITY HALL
April 2, 2018
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Black called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Pam Black; Commissioners: Dave Thompson, Jim Kolles, Roger Mord
and Alan Offerman; Absent: Commissioners: Aaron Stritesky, Richard Nichols and Steve
Schuck; City Council: CM Vern Heidner; Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and
Administrative Assistant, Sandy Lindenfelser.
1. Annual Business:
1.1 Election of the 2017 Planning Commission Chair & Vice -Chair.
Commissioner Thompson motioned to appoint Pam Black as Chair. Seconded
by Commissioner Offerman. All in favor. Motion carried. Commissioner
Thompson motioned to appoint Alan Offerman as Vice Chair. Seconded by
Commissioner Mord. All in favor. Motion carried.
2. Announcements:
Chair Black said this will be Administrative Assistant Lindenfelser's last meeting. Office
Assistant/Receptionist, Kelly Thelen will be replacing her.
Consider the following minutes:
3.1 February 5, 2018 Planning Commission Meeting_
Commissioner Thompson motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Offerman. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Public Hearing items:
4.1 Amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow dynamic display signs within the
INS District.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Commissioner Thompson asked for clarification that Rockwoods will not be included in
the INS District but the church will. City Planner Licht said that is correct.
Chair Black opened the Public Hearing at 7:14 PM
City Planner Licht said that these signs must be on the same property as the use; no off
site signage is allowed.
Commissioner Offerman asked for clarification of an INS District. City Planner Licht said
the INS District is a specific zoning district for facilities devoted to serving the public.
City facilities, schools, parks and two churches are zoned INS District. The
VFW soccer fields are also zoned INS District.
Commissioner Mord is concerned about safety due the changing display. City Planner
Licht said that is why the six minute change rule is proposed to minimize driver
distraction. Scrolling or signs with video animation are not to be allowed.
Commissioner Offerman asked if there is a limit on color. City Planner Licht said he
would advise against regulating color as that goes to the content of the sign, which is a
Constitutionally protected issue.
Chair Black closed the Public Hearing at 7:26 PM.
Commissioner Offerman asked if the proposed sign license is a yearly license. City
Planner Licht explained that the license will only expire if the sign is replaced, the
tenant changes or the or the property is sold.
Commissioner Offerman motioned to recommend approval of an ordinance to
allow of dynamic display signs within the INS District. Seconded by
Commissioner Kolles. All in favor. Motion carried.
5. Update on City Council Actions.
CM Heidner said Otsego residents do not like electronic signs and it's been the business
owners that have requested this type of signage. City Council has discussed this time
after time and has turned down the request.
CM Heidner updated the commissioners on the City Council actions since their last
meeting.
CM Heidner also updated the commissioners on the City Council approving a fire study
to make recommendations on improving response times and future facility needs.
6. Update on future Planning Commission Agenda items.
City Planner Licht updated the commissioners on possible future agenda items.
7. Adjourn.
Commissioner Thompson motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Mord. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 7:41 PM.
Pam Black, Chair
t
ATTEST:
Sandy in nfelser, Adm strative Assistant