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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-01-04; Planning Commission; Minutes. 4 MINUTZS Ul? ADJuuXNED IEETING OF CABLSBAD PANNING COMPIISSIQN /I3 W Januarv 4. 1954 Meeting called to order at 7:30 P, M. by Chairman Bond. Present besides the Chairman were Commissioners Gronseth, Cockrill, Baumgartner, Stringer, Su$ton, Building Inspector awald. Absent, Comm. Helton. Comm. Gronaeth, moved, seconded by Comm. Sutton, that reading of the minutes of the meeting of December 28th be waived, All ayes, motion carried . The applications of Roy D. Idhitmore, et al, and Katherine Cappe', et al, for rezoning to C-1 of small parcels of their property at 2357 Jefferson and 4123 Harrison Street, respectively, for the purpose of per- mitting the erection of advertising signs, were reviewed, Secretary Stringer read a letter from Gerald C. McClellan, president of the Chamber of Commerce, offering personal views and comments on the problem of signs adjacent to the new freeway, and recommending that a policy of restrict- ing signs to the ''institutional '' type of sign as proposed by the Twin Inns, imposing minimum and maximum sizes, illumination, and establishing other standards which would reduce the probable number of applications, due to economic reasons. Mr. X. G, Kentner, lessee of both parcels and the applicant pro- posing to erect the signs, was present and outlined briefly his purpose in making the request, stating that the decline in his business since the opening of the freeway made it necessary to take steps to remedy the situation. He described the type of sign he proposed to erect, which would be an illuminated sign of large size. He showed photographs taken along Pi0 Pic0 to substantiate his claim that/sign he proposes will not be a the detriment to the neighborhood nor lower the standards of the area. Mr. DBubney, attorney for Nr, Kentner, asked about the danger of any regula- tion being discriminatory, stated that regulation can be made, provided it is reasonable, as to size, location, lighting, and such matters as bracing, distmce from the highway, etc. He reminded the Commission that the Twin Inns spends approximately $90,000.00 per year in Carlsbad and is a heavy tax-payer, which, in turns, lightens the taxes of other dltizens. He asked that the rezoning be granted for the reason that the entire oornmunity will benefit by it. Since the purpose of the adjourned meeting was to give citizens an -1- opportunity of expressing themselves, as well as to acquaint them with the problems confronting the business men of Carlsbad since the opening of the freeway, leading up to the present sign problem, those present were invited to ask questions or comment. Present were Mayor 1"IClellan and Councilmen Lena Sutton and Lewis Chase, and about thirty-five citizens, including many who had protested the rezoning in writing and orally at the previous hearing. Mrs. Frantz Kidson of 987 Chinquapin asked whether it would not cause a wave of rezoning requests to turn the property along the freeway into conmercial districts. It was pointed out that the freeway is fenced, with no egress or ingress, and therefore unsuitable for business, Mr. Eric Mack of 4120 Harrison Street stated that he did not object particularly to Mr. Kentner's sign but felt that there will be many other requests, He asked what happened to the community sign idea which was dis- cussed at the last meeting, and was advised by Max Ewald that it will be discussed at the Chamber meeting on Tuesday. Mrs., Olive Heisler of 3440 Adams Street asked whether property could be rezoned and restricted only to signs, and was advised that the adoption of an ordlnmce setting up a new zone (S-1) strictly for signs was being aonsidered as a recommendation from the Commission to the City Council rn Mr. Stanley, who operates an advertising agency representing Foster & Kleiser, Sampson, and Carter Signs stated that he has about 27 outdoor advertising signs in the area, and spoke in favor of attractive advertis- ing signs along the freeway. He stated that Sampson puts up Mr. Kentner's sl$#s s Mrs. Jane Oldham asked whether it would be feasible to restrict the signs to the territory not already built up, but Comm. Sutton stated that an application would have to be heard, no matter where the location. Mr. Niels Martin of 3480 Carlsbad Blvd. stated that there are signs to the right and to the left of his property and he feels there is suffi- cient advertising along the highway for both the Carlsbad Hotel and the Twin Inns. w Elwood Trask stated he WOUM favor a sign &: emch end of town and a third sign at Elm Avenue, simply advertising Carlsbad as a resort tovm, a nice place to live, etc., perhaps with all the merchants partici- pating in it. -2 - Bernie Robinson stated that he believes Mr. Kentner's Sign, if allowed, would help other businesses in Carlsbad, Mrs. Ganoe, neighbor of Mrs. Cappe', stated that they Own a strip of land 25 feet wide along the freeway, on which could be placed several large signs. She urged thzt caution be exercised in the matter, to avoid setting a dangerous precedent, Mrs, Heisler asked whether the hotel would not be making applica- tion for a sign, and Mr. Ewald stated that he had talked to Mr. Mendez, who had stated that they are not interested at this time but probably will be later, After considerable discussion, Corn. Sutton moved a ten-minute recess, seconded by Comm, Baumgartner. All ayes, motion carried, Chair- man Bond reconvened the Commission at 8:45 P. M, Comm, Sutton summarized the conclusions reached by the Commission during the recess, as follows: that the size of the signs should be lim- ited to a minimum of 40 or 50 feet, which would eliminate, in a sense, a lot of indiscriminate advertising; tht they would have to be illuminated, all lights to be put out at a certain time, perhaps LO o'clock, so that they will not be a nuisance to the neighbors; that no secondary advertis- ing could be placed on the signs, but that they will be limited to local business only; all of the above to be subject to Mr. Bruce Smith's approval as to their legality, Councilwoman Lena Sutton asked whether restricting the size of the sign would not be discriminatory to the small business man, Comm. Stringer stated that as a small business man he was very much in sympathy with the advertilrring sign proposition but that he does not want a sign himself and does not believe other small business men will want them. Bhairman Bond asked whether, in view of the proposed recommendation to the Council, as outlined by Comm, Sutton, any of the protestants wished 'to withdraw their objections. None indicated willingness to do SO. Comm, Gronseth commented that the objections seemed to be to the si@ at the south end of town, with none directed to the sign at the north end, but Comm, Stringer stated it was his ixpression that the protests were against signs in Carlsbad, regardless of location. -3 - Comm. Sutton moved that a recommendation be made to the City Council for the approval of the placement of a sign on the Whitmore property north of the Jefferson overpass, to be not 3.es-s than 40 feet and not over 50 feet in width; that the sigrl shall be illuminated, the lights to be turned off not later than twelve o'clock midnight each night; that it shall be placed in accordance with all State Highway requirements; that it shall advertise only an existing local business, with no outside or secondary advertising; that this recommendation covers specifically the location of one sign only; that the property shall not be rezoned as C-1 (Commercial) but that there shall be a specific ordin- ance covering this problem; all subject to the advice of the City At- torney, Comm, Baumgartner stated he believed the ordinance should be worked out first, before the recommendation is made, so as to avoid get- ting the cart before the horse, Corn. Stringer concurring. The absence of the City Attorney from the meeting, although re- quested to attend, was discussed, Comm. Gronseth moved that the City Council be requested to require the presence of. the City Attorney at the Planning Commission meetings, when he is so requested by the Secretary or Chalrman of the Commission, Seconded by Cmn, Sutton. All ayes, motion carried . 3-1 the absenee of a second to Comm. Sutton's motion, Chairman Bond vacated the chair, naming Secretary Stringer as Chairman pro tea, and seconded said motion. Five ayes, no nays, motion carried. Comm, Stringer moved that a recommendation be made to the City Council that the application for rezoning of the Cappe' property for pur- pose of erecting a sign, be denied, due to the many protests recorded, and since the Commission has exhausted all efforts to get those protests withdrawn and have bad no withdrawals of any protests. Secbnded by Coma. Cockrill.Cockril1. Ayes , Comms . Cockrill, Stringer and Gronseth. Nays, Comms, Baumgartner and Sut ton . Comm. Sutton moved for adjournment, Coma, Cockrill seconding, but the motion was withdrawn when it appeared there was further business to come before the Commission, \ Mrs. Olive Heisler of 3340 Adams, submitted a tentative subdivision -4- . map covering 12 lots on her property at Basswood and Adam. The map was examined and briefly discussed, but Hrs. Heisler was told it would be nec- essary for her to submit six copies of the map, and that the proposed street would have to be widened to meet specifications of the subdivision ordinance (#9025). Chairman Bond was named to attend the City Council meeting on January 5, 1954. Comm, Sutton moved for adjournment, seconded by Comm. Cockrill. All ayes, meeting adjourned at 9:50 P. PI, Respectfully submitted, ARNIE STRINGER, Secretary -5 -