| City Commission Work Session | Mayor Joan Bennett presiding |
CALL TO ORDER: 5:45 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Bennett, Commissioners Beecher, Downer, Gray, and Rosenbaum. Also present were City Manager, City Attorney, Directors of Community Development, Park & Recreation, Fiscal Control, Management Information Services, Planning, Library, Public Works, Fire Chief, and City Clerk.
Moore Oil, Inc., owner of the property located at 1601 Fox Farm Road requested a variance to OCCGF 15.11.200. The variance is to install a 60' high pole sign. The allowed pole sign height is 35'.
The Board of Adjustment heard the request on Thursday, February 26, 1998. Staff recommended that the Board deny the variance request. The Board received eleven phone calls and two letters and two lists containing twenty-two signatures of citizens who opposed the variance request. The existing non-conforming signs located west of Moore Oil Company site were explained. All the comments at the Board of Adjustment meeting centered on the potential ripple effect the approval of this variance would have as all other businesses in the immediate area sought to install 60' high pole signs. The Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to recommend that the City Commission deny the variance request.
At their regular work session held March 17, 1998, Mayor Bennett introduced this item and opened up the floor for discussion.
Mike Rattray, Community Development, explained that currently there are 3 non-conforming signs in the area. The Heritage Inn, Elmer's Pancake House and the Sinclair gas station. He stated that following a lengthy discussion, the Board of Adjustment recommended denial of the variance request and suggested that an off-premise sign would be better for Moore Oil.
Commissioner Downer stated that he had concerns about denying the variance request. Concerns that focused on balancing competition. He explained that in his own experiences, he looks for the tall pole signs to guide him to service stations when his is visiting other cities. He added that since the Sinclair station has a non-conforming pole sign, Moore Oil should be allowed the same option. However, he suggested that the pole sign be moved from 10th Avenue South and placed off of Fox Farm Road instead.
Commissioner Downer added that none of the other non-conforming signs are in direct competition with Sinclair or the new gas station. He continued stating that the other commercial businesses in the area are also not competing with the gas stations and therefore no precedence would be set.
Commissioner Gray asked that if this variance is approved, would the issue escalate to lit or flashing lights on the pole signs.
Commissioners Downer stated that the Commission could specify that no lit signs would be allowed.
Commissioner Rosenbaum asked why most of the people in the area opposed the sign. Mr. Rattray explained that the sign would block their view. Commissioner Rosenbaum stated that the Commission may need to make changes to keep the skyline of the City down. He also stated that the residents in were there first.
Commissioner Downer reminded the Commission that the Sinclair station razed their building and yet the sign was not required to come into code. He suggested the City needs an ordinance that would allow us to reconsider variances during a major remodel or reconstruction project.
Commissioner Beecher suggested that the sign is not enough of a marketing factor to convince him the variance is warranted.
Dean Albert, local resident, stated he opposed the sign because it would block his view and that granting the variance could lead to a large number of future requests. He added that Commissioner Downer's suggestion to relocate the sign onto Fox Farm Road would not resolve the view issue.
Mayor Bennett asked for the direction of the City Commission. Four Commissioners concurred with the Board of Adjustment's recommendation to deny the variance request. Commissioner Downer did not concur.
Kim Johnson, Community Development Department, reviewed the proposed CDC recommendations for CDBG and HOME Grant monies. Following the brief presentation, Commissioner Gray asked if the CDC considers matching or leveraging power when allocating funds. Cheryl Patton, Community Development Director, stated that is a requirement for HOME dollars, however, it is not for CDBG.
Terry Youngworth, Fair Housing Specialist, reported to the City Commission on the fair housing activities he has been conducting during the past year.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular work session on March 17, 1998, adjourned at 6:55 p.m.