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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-07-15 Zoning Commission Minutes1 MINUTES CITY OF BOZEMAN ZONING COMMISSION, CITY COMMISSION ROOM, CITY HALL 121 NORTH ROUSE AVENUE TUESDAY, APRIL 07, 2015 6:00 P.M. ITEM 1. 06:02:19 PM CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Laura Dornberger Erik Garber Julien Morice George Thompson ITEM 2. 06:02:37 PM PUBLIC COMMENT (Limited to any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Zoning Commission and not scheduled on this agenda. There is a three-minute time limit per speaker.) No public to comment. ITEM 3. 06:02:58 PM MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 18, 2014 OPENED AND CONTINUED Inactionable. ITEM 4. 06:03:41 PM PROJECT REVIEW 1. Ghost Sign Municipal Code Text Amendment - Application No. Z15036 (Brekke) A Municipal Code Text Amendment Application requested by the City of Bozeman, 121 N. Rouse Avenue, PO Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771 has been submitted to amend the Bozeman Municipal Code to revise Sections 38.42.1215, 38.28.050, 38.28.060, 38.28.150, and 38.28.190 to create a new definition of ghost signs and to specify the way they may remain on a building without counting toward the maximum sign areas of Table 38.28.060 Current code does not define ghost signs and requires such signs to be included in a building’s maximum signage allowance. These changes are applicable throughout the municipal area and apply to all properties. 06:03:50 PM Allison Brekke, Associate Planner with Community Development Department, described Municipal Code Text Amendment concerning Ghost Signs, defining “Ghost Sign” and allowing ghost signs to be exempt from sign permit requirements, clarifying that ghost signs are not considered off-premises and allowing the maintenance and/or repainting of ghost signs. 06:10:32 PM George Thompson expressed appreciation for the well-written proposal, excited that it would reflect the unique characteristics of older communities like Bozeman, described particular ghost sign believed to be metal and how it reminded him of the historical nature of the community, appreciated that ghost sign amendment will allow property owners to overcome historical designation challenges. George Thompson asked if the repaint and restore would apply to something like the Allen Theater—Allison Brekke denied this, noted Staff considered the Bon Ton Bakery tile sign and decided that ghost signs would be specifically defined as painted signs but that this sign could be permitted under existing definitions, described signs that had completed historical designation process. 06:14:46 PM Julien Morice asked what the purpose of a ghost sign was that lacked historical significance, wondered why the City would allow one—Allison Brekke noted that it could be considered a unique characteristic, that some signs almost look like murals but can’t be fitted within the mural designation because it contains a commercial message. 06:16:07 PM Laura Dornberger clarified that the ghost sign definition makes it easier for the owner—Allison Brekke 2 noted that it would allow them to keep the sign without obtaining the historical designation, although they could still obtain the historical designation under existing definitions. 06:16:32 PM Julien Morice disclosed that he owns a building with a ghost sign, the Service Electric Building, noted he had had discussions with Chris on what could be done to make the sign historic, described that Service Electric is an existing business operating now out of Four Corners, expressed understanding of Amendment as allowing the sign to remain unchanged, felt a gap remained for owners who wanted to restore historic significance to a sign, described Montana Motor Supply and noted subjective nature of historic designation—Allison Brekke explained that this was why ghost signs were not considered to be in the historic sign category, that a new sign message would not be considered historic even if it was just stating the historic name, noted that historic designation was for signs that demonstrated significance either through age or through the community and were typically non-conforming, cited example of Baxter Hotel’s roof sign. 06:20:50 PM Julien Morice asked how building name was counted in calculation towards signage limit—Allison Brekke noted that some types of signs were exempt including a building name sign, noted that the name of the building could not also be the name of a business. Erik Garber described a Lucati Building housing Lucati Architecture—Allison Brekke described the F & H Building. 06:22:02 PM Erik Garber thought that the historic designation could be applied to a restored sign that did not have anything to do with the business’s use—Allison Brekke agreed, noted that ghost sign Amendment was intended to allow new businesses to open without first eliminating old signage. 06:23:04 PM Julien Morice clarified that the Amendment had been considered because of the Motor Supply signage, that they did not want to remove the sign—Allison Brekke noted its design characteristic. Julien Morice sought clarification whether an existing painted sign could be retained under current rules, wondered whether there was a date limit that would apply to definition—Allison Brekke specified that the ghost sign definition allows for signs older than 1997. 06:24:31 PM George Thompson appreciated the flexibility of the planning department to work with idiosyncratic things that lend a unique character to the town, felt it was important to preserve these and not get caught up in bureaucracy— Allison Brekke appreciated that they had responded to an applicant coming forward with this problem and were able to make this change. 06:25:39 PM Erik Garber asked whether a painted sign from before the 1997 date with a currently viable commercial message would be counted towards signage, cited Service Electric example—Allison Brekke confirmed, advised that the Service Electric building is no longer used by Service Electric, cited Amendment: “sign which advertises a business, product, or service no longer found at that location, or an expired political campaign.” 06:26:56 PM Erik Garber opened meeting to public hearing. No public was available to comment. 06:27:28 PM Laura Dornberger motioned that “having reviewed and considered the application materials, public comment, and all information presented, I hereby adopt the findings presented in the Staff Report for application Z15036 and move to recommend approval of the Ghost Signs Municipal Code Text Amendment. Seconded by George Thompson. Board Member - Laura Dornberger: Motion Board Member - George Thompson: 2nd Council Member - Erik Garberg: Approve Board Member - Julien Morice: Approve Board Member - George Thompson: Approve Board Member - Laura Dornberger: Approve ITEM 5. 06:28:14 PM NEW BUSINESS ITEM 6. 06:28:23 PM ADJOURNMENT This meeting is open to all members of the public. If you have a disability that requires assistance, please contact ADA Coordinator, James Goehrung, at 582-3200 (voice) or 582-2301/582-2432 (TDD).