01-20-04 PCOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION
JANUARY 20, 2004
7PM
OTSEGO CITY HALL
1. Vice -Chair Schuck will call the meeting to order.
Vice -Chair Schuck called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Roll Call: Vice Chair Steve Schuck; Commission Members: Ken Fry, David
Thompson, Pam Black and Doug Hackman.
Excused absence: Richard Nichols
Unexcused absence: Carl Swenson, Jim Kolles and Tammie Fallon.
Staff: Mike Robertson, City Administrator; Judy Hudson, City Clerk/Zoning
Administrator and Dan Licht, City Planner.
Council: Mayor Larry Fournier; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Virginia Wendel, Jerry
Struthers.
2. Consider the following minutes•
2.1. December 15. 2003 Planning Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Fry motioned to accept the minutes. Seconded by Commissioner
Hackman. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Planning Items•
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3.1. Farr Development: PUD Amendment to allow an entrance monument sign
greater than the 32 sq feet allowed
Dan Licht presented the Planner's Report. Judy Hudson attested all proper noticing and
publishing was done. Lucinda Gardner, applicant, stated she agrees with the Planner's
Report and that this identification sign is very improvement to their project.
Vice Chair Schuck opened the Public Hearing for public comment at 7:06 PM.
There were no comments.
Vice Chair Schuck questioned how the identification sign will be lighted. Ms. Gardner
replied that typically it is done with under lighting from the planting area and she would
prefer this for this sign.
Commissioner Black asked how many identification signs are they proposing. Ms.
Gardner replied just this one. Commissioner Hackman questioned the setbacks from the
right-of-way if the sign will create difficulties for site lines. Dan Licht replied the
application shows they are complying with setbacks and should not create any site
problems.
Hearing no public comment, Vice Chair Schuck closed the Public Hearing at 7:10 PM.
Vice Chair Schuck would like to change Condition NO.4 to allow under lighting.
Commissioner Fry motioned to approve a PUD District amendment to allow an area
identification sign at Kittredge Crossings in excess of 32 square feet in area, subject
to the five conditions in the Planner's Report rewriting No. 4 that any lighting of the
proposed sign shall be by fixtures mounted so as not to cause glare to the public
right-of-way Section 20-16-10.C.9 of the Zoning Ordinance and add Condition No. 6
Planning Commission Nleetina of January 20, 2004. Page 2.
that the words "of Otsego" shall be added to the text of the sign display. Seconded
by Commissioner Black. All in favor. Motion carried.
Dan Licht asked the Commissioner their thoughts on changing the allowance of the
Monument Signs in the Zoning Ordinance, as other developers would like larger signage
allowed. The consensus of the Planning Commission was not to change the Zoning
Ordinance and they would prefer to review each request individually.
4. Any other Planning Commission Business.
4.1. Temporary Sign Ordinance.
Dan Licht presented the Planner's Report.
Rudy Thibodeau, Otsego business owner, stated he is upset with all the illegal signs going
up in Otsego and feels it is not fair to the current businesses. Mr. Thibodeau passed out
an outline of his suggestions for sign ordinances. He would like the new businesses given
allowances to help start their businesses. He supports that the multiple business buildings
use a message board rather than the portable sign wagons. Mr. Thibodeau went over the
attached suggestions.
John Hempel of Hempel Properties, who is the management company for Market West,
said their big issue is their multiple tenants (25 when filled) who all want temporary
signs. They don't want to have govern the sign permits but they would be happy to hand
out any brochures.
Dr. Jen Hesselman has her chiropractor business in Market West said she feels frustrated
and not welcomed in Otsego because she not getting help from her property manager or
the City regarding signs.
Dan Licht said he will bring back new wording to the next Planning Commission
Meeting.
4.2. Update on Council actions by CM Heidner.
CM Heidner gave a brief update since there were no planning items on the last Council
Agenda. Judy Hudson gave a update on upcoming hearings and Mike Robertson said the
Comprehensive Plan Update will start at the next meeting.
5. Adjournment by 10 PM.
Commissioner Fry motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Black. All in
favor. Nlotion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
Steve Schuck, Vice -Chair
ATTEST:
Judy Hudson, Zoning Adm/Clerk