Planning Commission Minutes 2014 10 09

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes October 9, 2014 Page 9 of 14 Brauneis asks about hours of operation of the sign, and are there any regulations being used? Russ says that Planning Commission can put conditions on approval. Having adjacent neighbors to the south is a concern and it is a reasonable request. There are no time regulations for a commercial sign. Lorenzi says that the bartender can turn off the switch to the sign when closing. Brauneis asks about building mounted spotlights currently installed. Lorenzi says there are two on the south, two on the north, one on the east, and one on the west. These are building mounted, pointing downwards. The requested sign would be oriented north to south. Russell discusses hours of operation of the American Legion and Gravity, the business at the rear of the building. Russell is concerned if the sign is turned off too early, would it damage business. Brauneis mentions Gravity and the need for signage. Lorenzi says that Gravity requested a sign out in front. Pritchard says that Lamar's Donuts is a good example of sign lights affecting neighborhoods. Russ states that hours can be listed on the PUD. Public Comment: Lara Weiss, 421 East Street, Louisville, CO 80027. She owns the property next door to the American Legion. She feels the sign itself is good, but she is concerned about the light intensity. She does not want it to affect the houses next to it. The rooms are bedrooms and front rooms with windows and she does not want the light to affect their lifestyle. Michael Menaker, 1827 West Choke Cherry Drive, Louisville, CO 80027. He was instrumental in leading the movement to update the Downtown Sign Guidelines in the past. He is passionate about signs. He urges flexibility and asks approval of the sign. Summary and request by Staff and Applicant: Staff states in quick review of the sign application received tonight, Staff supports the sign waiver being requested Closed Public Hearing and discussion by Commission: Russell is in support of the sign and the two establishments working together on the sign. He thinks there needs to be a set time for the sign to be turned off. Rice is in support. Brauneis says a main concern is the time set for the sign to be turned off. He is concerned that if the sign is turned off too early, it could affect Gravity's business. He says it meets guidelines. Moline will follow Commission's lead on lighting and hours. He is concerned that this sign waiver may cause precedence for future signs on Highway 42. Pritchard says that historically, turning off signs does not work if left to the discretion of the owner. He is concerned that signs left on will disturb neighbors. He thinks a time frame needs to be established. He thinks the hours of the tenant need to be addressed. Moline says that the time limit should be aimed at the effect on the neighbor and less on the businesses. Russell says that 10 pm seems like a good time for the neighbors and the businesses. Public Comment: Moline requests that Pritchard re -open public comment. Lorenzi states that the sign will be put on a timer and automatically go off. Russell asks Lorenzi if a building -mounted sign would have met their needs.