01-06-1988 PTRC Meeting Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Regular Planning Commission Meeting, January 6, 1988 Page 5 SIGNS (Cont'd) Commission discussed the current requirements for these • signs; noting that Council approval of such signs is necessary. Malone pointed out that with the current requirements, Council has no basis for denial of such requests and some businesses abuse the privilege; either by requesting numerous signs per year or leaving the signs in place for a longer period of time than the 10 days currently permitted. There was discussion relating to appropriate definition of location where these signs are permitted; questioned what determines premises in order for signs to be limited to three per location. Members gave the example of McGuire's Inn; if two different vendors requested three signs for that location within a given calendar year, would both requests be honored. Member Malone suggested location be identified as per the definition of "Business", outlined in our current Sign Ordinance No. 216. Petersen moved, seconded by Thorn, that Commission recommend Council consideration of an amendment to the Village Sign Ordinance No. 214, which limits the number of Special Event Signs to a maximum of three (3) per calendar year, per location as defined in Ordinance #216, Section II, B, 4; for a period of ten (10) days, with a minimum of thirty (30) days between permits issued. Motion carried unanimously. (8-0) UNDEVEL. LAND STUDY Chairman Curtis reported that he, Paul Malone and the Clerk Administrator had met with a financial consultant to discuss the Tax Increment Financing process as it would relate to the undeveloped land along the intersection of Highways I-694 and 35W. Curtis reviewed how the process works and reviewed the criteria which qualifies a development project. Member Malone explained that the first step is to determine what type of development the Village would prefer to have at the location; after that has been decided, Arden Hills may want to solicit developers and develop the details of the project or wait for developers to inquire and submit a proposal. He noted that estimated cost for compiling such a plan would be $5,000 to $10,000. The Planner commented that this type of plan composition develops over a one or two month period; also, he pointed out that establishing a tax increment district would allow the imposition of more stringent regulations on the land than current zoning requires. There was discussion regarding the option of waiting for a good development plan proposal for the land. Member Probst favored further investigation of Tax Increment Financing; he point out that the area is essentially a "gateway" to Arden Hills, and residents of this community have come to expect high quality development in the area. It was his opinion that it is important to preserve the Village image and stressed taking action by planning development, rather than taking risks of having small parcels being developed by lower quality industrial users. • Curtis suggested Commission currently direct their efforts toward determining what type of development should be encouraged for the area. Probst commented that the study should include costs and financial risks.