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<br />Chairperson Hanson opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. <br /> <br />County Bank is requesting a variance for their proposed sign to be located at the northwest comer of the <br />intersection of Main Street and 21 st Avenue. Craig Bode, Branch Manager, and Dave Shannon of Color <br />Sign were in attendance. The variance request is for a larger and taller sign than Ordinance #4 permits. <br />A new schematic for the sign was presented and the revised schematic showed a two (2) foot taller sign <br />than originally proposed, along with an instant cash sign below the main sign. The proposed sign would <br />be approximately 26.58 feet tall and 211 square feet in size. Ordinance #4 requires a maximum height <br />of twenty (20) feet and eighty (80) square feet in size for a free standing sign in a commercial district. <br />The variance request includes a time and temperature reader board, which is currently not allowed by <br />Ordinance #4. <br /> <br />Commission Member De Vine indicated there are proposed amendments to Ordinance #4 allowing <br />message reader signs and to increase the size of the signs based on the frontage of the property in order <br />for Centerville to compete with Lino Lakes. <br /> <br />Mr. March questioned if there was a way the bank could provide a frame of reference as to how the sign <br />would look with the building. Mr. Shannon indicated the Amoco sign was approximately two hundred <br />fifty (250) square feet and thirty-five (35) feet high. County Bank is proposing a sign that would be nine <br />(9) feet shorter and fifty (50) square feet smaller. Mr. Shannon stated that it would be very difficult to <br />incorporate the copy and logo on a smaller sign. <br /> <br />Commission Member Kilian stated that based on the location of the sign to the building, he believed it <br />would look proportionate. <br /> <br />Commission Member LaMotte inquired as to why the bank is applying for a variance at this point when <br />Ordinance #4 is to be revised. Mr. Shannon indicated the need to place the footings in the ground prior <br />to the ground freezing. Mr. Shannon stated that the permanent bank building would be open February 1, <br />2001 and that they desired to have the sign up by then. <br /> <br />Commission Member Brainard questioned whether Ordinance #4 could be modified rather than granting <br />a variance. Mr. March stated that County Bank did not want to apply for a variance after the ordinance <br />was revised if their sign ended up being larger than the requirements subsequent to amendments. Mr. <br />March stated that the sign ordinance is rather lengthy and would require ample consideration from the <br />Commission. Mr. March also stated that the sign proposed by County Bank is similar in size to signs <br />that are located in other communities such as Center City and Forest Lake. <br /> <br />Commission Member Kilian stated his unwillingness to allow a reader board sign similar to that of a car <br />dealership located in Forest Lake due to the fact that it distracts peoples driving attention and is <br />unsightly. Mr. Shannon stated that the sign the bank is proposing is much smaller than the one in Forest <br />Lake and could be programmed to allow the printing to be stable. Mr. Shannon felt that the sign could <br />be an asset to the community by announcing community events. <br /> <br />Commission Member Brainard questioned the materials that would be used for the temporary sign and if <br />footings would be needed to support same. Mr. Shannon indicated footings were not needed for a <br />temporary sign; however, the bank would like to place the footings for the permanent sign prior to the <br />ground freezing and have the sign in place prior to the anticipated February 2001 opening. <br /> <br />Page 5 of 13 <br />