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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979/02/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST . LOUIS PARK , MINNESOTA February 24 , 1979 1 . Call to Order A special meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Stern at 9 : 00 a . m . 2 . Roll Call The following Councilmen were present : Lyle Hanks Ronald Backes Keith Meland John Ralles Martha Elstrom Jerrold Martin Irving Stern Also present were the City Manager , Planning Director and representatives o f the Community Relations Commission , Naegele Outdoor Advertising and the Chamber of Commerce . 3 . Proposed Sign Mayor Stern explained the purpose of the meeting Ordinance was to review the proposed sign ordinance , indica- ting that an informal discussion format would be followed . Councilman Backes introduced the proposed sign ordinance , providing back- ground regarding the Council Sign Committee ' s investigation and the ✓ ecommendatiors of the Planning Commission and the Community Relations Commission . He explained the proposed ordinance should be considered as a draft , and all segments were not unanimously approved by the committee . Councilman Meland explained that during its study of signs , the committee e stablished the fact that there is a definite need for signs within the community , both off and on premises . The Council reviewed each segment of the proposed ordinance , including the statement of purpose , definitions and general provisions . There was considerable discussion regarding general provision X117 pertaining to flags . Councilman Hanks expressed concern that this provision may re - strict exhibition of the flag of the United States . It was moved by Councilman Hanks , seconded by Councilman Ralles , to delete general provision # 17 from the proposed ordinance . Following brief dis - cussion the motion was withdrawn . It was moved by Councilman Hanks , seconded by Councilman Elstrom , o end � � general provision # 17 by deleting the words , and including a United States - 57 - City Council minutes , February 24 , 1979 flag or flag of some other country , " and adding the words , " Excluded from this provision shall be flags of the United States , State of Minnesota and City of St . Louis Park . ' ' Motion passed 4 - 3 ( Councilmen Backes , Meland and Stern opposed ) . There was considerable discussion regarding general provision #i6 pertain- ing to billboards . Staff explained that the proposed ordinance would allow billboards on Highways 12 , 100 and 7 , and Excelsior Boulevard . There was also discussion regarding the proposed regulation of placement and spacing between billboards . 1 i Phyllis Kragseth , representing the Community Relations Commission , explained both the Planning Commission and Community Relations Commission had spent considerable time studying the matter of signs and billboards . Following their review , which included a sign- related tour of the City , both commis - ° sions submitted recommendations to the City Council which clearly opposed the continued existence of billboards within the City . She added it was the consensus of the Community Relations Commission that billboards provided little or no benefit to City residents or businesses . Following further discussion , it was moved by Councilman Meland , seconded by Councilman Hanks , to amend general provision ## 6 of the proposed ordinance , deleting portions which restricted billboards to specific highways and r adding a provision which would disallow billboards spaced closer than 500 feet as measured along the same side of the road . I The motion passed 4 - 2 - 1 ( Councilmen Elstrom and Backes opposed ; Councilman Hanks abstaining ) . Following discussion of general provisions # 14 and # 15 , it was moved by Councilman Backes , seconded by Councilman Meland , to maintain the dates as presented in the draft . Motion passed 4 - 3 ( Councilmen Martin , Hanks , and Elstrom opposed ) . Following a statement regarding differences between billboards , painted bulletins and painted posters , it was moved by Councilman Martin , seconded by Councilman Ralles , to increase the maximum size of a billboard from 600 to 750 square feet . Motion passed 6 - 1 ( Councilman Hanks opposed ) . 4 . Adjournment Upon completion of its review of the proposed ordinance , the Council agreed there were no further quesions or discussion at this time and adjourned the eeting at 1 : 05 p . m . At t s : J. )n - ti--- Irvin \l'irTkiern Mayor \ SSP IL I Mark W . Sather Recording Secretary L lic - 58 -