09-14-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 14, 2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. 11. #15-3772 ROBERT MILLER, 60 SMITH AVENUE, VARIANCES — RESOLULTION NO. 6539 (continued) Printup stated he also does not want to hold the application up since he is not sure what it will solve. McMillan stated her only concern is the massing on the north side and that she hopes the neighbors continue to have dialogue. McMillan stated the applicant is entitled to a functional second story and that she is hopeful the addition will not impact the view of the neighbor to the north. Walsh moved, Cornick seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6539, a Resolution Granting Variances to Municipal Zoning Code Section 78-420 (B), for the property located at 60 Smith Avenue. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 12. #15-3775 CITY OF ORONO, TEXT AMENDMENT REGARDING TEMPORARY SIGNS Barnhart stated the City's current ordinance regulating signs does not meet the needs of charitable organizations or for community events. The existing ordinance does allow a conditional use permit once every two years. As Staff and the City Attorney reviewed the ordinance closer, it became evident that many of the signs are regulated based on their content, a direct violation of state statute, which allows regulation based only on time, place and manner. In response, the conditional use permit requirement was removed and now requires only a Staff issued permit provided the sign meets certain criteria. Signs in commercial districts have the same number of signage opportunities as before, but they will get an additional sign if they allow their property to be used for charitable, community event signage. The proposed ordinance amends the sign ordinance in several ways and achieves the following goals: Allow temporary signs that meet certain parameters in the right-of-way jurisdiction only and City property following a permit. 2. Allow temporary signs in commercial zones for a specific period of time and allow additional signage for commercially zoned properties that provide signage for charitable organizations. 3. Amend the ordinance to reflect recent Supreme Court rulings on free speech. 4. Give the City authority to display any sign within its own right-of-way or property. Barnhart noted signs in residential zones are subject to certain sign limitations regardless of message. In addition, the City must issue a permit for signs in the right-of-way and on city property regardless of the message. The City may not issue permits for county or state right-of-ways, including County Roads 15, 19, 51 and Highway 12. Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance as presented. Walsh asked what the alternative would be. Page 30 of 39