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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-02-23 MinutesMINUTES OF A PIANNING COMMISSION MEETING The Fayetteville Planning Commission met in a joint session with the Board of Directors, Board of Adjustment on Wednesday, February 23, 1972, at 7:00 P.M. The meeting was held in the Directors Room, City Administration Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Members Present: Albert Witte, Donald Nickell, Roy Clinton, Ernest Jacks, Helen Edmiston, Dr. Walter Brown. Board of Directors Present: Loris Stanton, Ernest Lancaster, Marion Orton, Russell Purdy, R. L. Utley, Dr. Joe McFerran, Mayor Joe Fred Starr. Board of Adjustment Members Present: Connie Clack (Roy Clinton). Members Absent: Al Donaubauer (Planning Commission), John Maguire (Planning Commission), C.A.Hughes (Planning Commission), Carl Yates (Board of Adjustment), J. F. Robinson (Board of Adjustment), Suzanne Lighton (Board of Adjustment). Others Present: David Malone, Larry Wood. Roy Clinton, Chairman of the Planning Commission,called the meeting to order and presided. Mr. Clinton requested that Ernest Jacks, Chairman of the Sign Committee, JOINT MEETING give the Committee's recommendations for signs along controlled access ON SIGN BEGS. highways. The Committee recommended that no off-site signs be permitted within 660 feet of a controlled access highway except at intersections of the by-pass with other Federal or State roads where property is zoned for commercial use, off-site signs conforming to all other regulations would be permitted within 300 feet of the ROW of the intersecting road. Mr. Jacks did not recommend that on-site signs be restricted, as he thought they would take care of themselves. He further recommended that signs directed primarily to by-pass traffic be permitted to be 30 ft. in height above the plane of the pavement of the highest road at that intersection and within the 300 ft. by 660 ft. area. He recommended the maximum sign area for signs in this area be increased. The recommendations of the committee were discussed. Roy Clinton felt perhaps 200 square feet was more proper for size of signs at these inter- sections, but said he was not in favor of allowing more than that. Mrs. Orton was concerned about the likelihood of a number of signs creating confusion. She suggested consideration be given to having one uniform sign for each exit. Mr. Purdy was also concerned about the number of signs at each intersection and felt that only on-site signs should be permitted. Mayor Starr felt that the value of real estate at these intersections would take care of the problem. Mr. Witte was more concerned with the safety factor at intersections than the aesthetic element. Chairman Clinton asked for votes to indicate the feeling of the individuals present on the committee's recommendations. All agreed on permitting the height of signs to be 30 feet above the highest plane of the intersection. They also agreed on a maximum sign size of 200 square feet for signs directed to the by-pass traffic at these intersections. Donald Nickell moved that the group vote on eliminating off-site signs at controlled access intersections. Russell Purdy seconded. Those voting in 2-23-72 -2- favor of eliminating `ff=site signs at controlled access intersections were Orton, Purdy, Brown, Nickell, Witte; those voting to permit off-site signs at controlled access intersections were Edmiston and Jacks; the others present did not vote either way. The motion passed to not permit off-site signs on controlled access highways within 660 feet of the ROW and it is to be considered in this manner at the public hearing. Next the group discussed proposed setbacks for signs in the commercial districts. Chairman Clinton said the reason for setbacks was to broaden out the corridor and cut visual pollution. He suggested a compromise from the proposal, since gasoline service pump islands are permitted to be 25 ft. from ROW. Mrs. Orton suggested retaining the 50 ft. setback in the proposal but for buildings closer than 50 ft. to permit signs to be closer. David Malone suggested that it could be written that any ground sign shall be within x feet of the front face of the building, but not less than x feet from the street ROW. Dr. Brown asked if the ordinance was written that signs were prohibited in an area whether this would take it out of the powers and duties of the Board of Adjustment. Mr. Malone did not agree that it would. Mr. Purdy suggested that signs located 50 ft. from the ROW be one size, signs closer to the ROW be required to be smaller, and signs farther from the ROW than 50 ft, be permitted to be larger. The phasing out, or amortizing of non -conforming on-site signs was discussed. Mrs. Orton was in favor of this, but most others present did not feel this could be reasonably accomplished. Mr. Malone felt that the City should wilt and see how the courts will rule on this type of thing. • David Malone was instructed to draft something specific on setbacks in the "C" districts similar to what he had proposed and also tb add a required setback from properties in the "R" districts. The group agreed to prohibit off-site, free standing signs in the "I" districts and to omit the minim,m, distance between free standing signs in the "I" districts. The group also agreed to not permit a projecting sign on property which had a free standing sign. The group desired to add "(d). "C" Districts" on Page 16 and to permit on-site projecting signs in the 'IC" district but to prohibit off-site projecting signs in the "C" districts. The group agreed to prohibit off-site wall signs in all districts. Mrs. Orton asked if the sign regulations could not be taken out of the zoning ordinance to relieve the Board of Adjustment from the duty of making decisions on signs. Roy Clinton agreed he would like to relieve the Board of Adjustment from this duty, but cautioned that if it were removed from the zoning ordinance, the petitions would be carried to the Board of Directors and they would have to listen to them. Mr. Malone said as long as it remained in the zoning ordinance, the Board of Adjustment must hear appeals. In essence, the group restricted off-site signs so they would only be permitted in the "C" districts and would be limited to 75 square feet in size in those districts. 0 The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.