06-21-2004 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE OROKO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY. MAY 17. 2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (5. #04-2974 RELIANCE DEVELOPMft:.NT COMPA.NY, LLP, CoDtinacd) as It IS more modem looking as long as there is an agreement it will not scroll, blink or flash and only be changed once/day. Chair Mabusth asked if there had been an illuminated reader board approved in Orono for a church. Gaffron advised that there u-as no approval for a church to have an illuminated reader board. He expressed his concerns for allowing an illuminated reader change with capability for changing as a continual enforcement issue, as well as training needs for subsequent Walgreens* managers, and that other businesses may seek to have this type of reader board, too. Gaffron suted. though, he believes an illuminated reader board does look better than manual reader boards with loose lettering. Bremer asked Mr. Trautz if Walgreens would consider a manual reader board Mr. Trautz replied that most Walgreens stores hasx manual reader boards currcnily. Jurgens cans-eyed his reservation with manual reader boards in rebtion to vandalism, as the signs are often low to the ground. Gafinm and Curtis indicated in their concurrent review of the new sign ordinance requirements that the 14’ width will be fine with expected revisions in the way it will be InuiKd. the total of 10* maximum height to the lop of It should be maintained, and the sign copy face can not be greater than 75* ■ of sign square footage. They clarified that the previous reference to max width w^s mcorrect. The maximum height is 10*. there is no maximum width. He asked for direction on whether to permit the illuminated reader board and what conditions may be appropriate. Chair Mabusth invited public comments and acknow ledged there were some audiciKe members nodding in agreement w ith the illuminated reader board discussion. Rahn agreed with allow ing an illuminated reader board w ith a message change once day and docs not move, scroll, blink or flash. Chair .Mabusth suggested a condition to add to limit its frequency of change or limits of lines of text. Frit/ler questioned Gaffron if there is any pri^lem to set a condition that pernuis an illuminated reader board in relationship to the square footage of the lot. such that a property may be loo small to permii such a sign. Curtis confirmed that sign square footage per site is dcicnnincd by each foot of frontage now by Code, but the prohibition is for flashing illuminated signs Gaffron added that in Nav arre there are large sites with multiple tenant buildings. He suggested that the condition of sign changes restricted to only one time'day could be added to subsequent sign approvals. He emphasized it would be a difficult enforcement issue if allow ed. Gaffron mentioned the issue of visual impact, pointing out that currently in the Hwy 12 Orontv Long Lake area there is only one illuminated reader board and about 8-10 manual reader boards. Leslie observed that he saw a Walgreens store in Eden Frame that had an electronic, illuminated reader board that seemed not to be changing so frequently as to unsafely divert drivers' attention. He stated he would support an illuminated reader board sign but it should meet the new sign code. Mr. Trautz stated the 10' x 6' dimension w*as important and asked if it could be 4' off of the ground. Page 14 of 40