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<br /> is 180; this figure is based on the code requirements of a limit of 1,300 <br />e square feet of billboard surface area per half mile on highway-oriented <br /> designated streets and on those industrial streets where billboards are <br /> permitted. This figure is also based on an average billboard size of 300 <br /> square feet. The Planning Commission is requesting this moratorium because <br /> of the effects of billboards, electronic message centers (EMCs), and flashing <br /> signs on the aesthetics of the City and the safety of the community. The <br /> commission feels that a six-month moratorium is reasonable and hopes to have <br /> a recommendation before the council on the revised Sign Code before that <br /> time. At the council's request, an ordinance imposing the moratorium has <br /> been prepared for consideration at this public hearing. If the council <br /> adopts the moratorium, any application that has been received prior to the <br /> moratorium will be processed. Responding to a question from Mr. Miller, Ms. <br /> Miller said that the City has received 20 billboard permit applications since <br /> September 26. She clarified that prior to the adoption of the Interim Code <br /> in June 1988, the City received 40 applications for billboards; of these 40 <br /> applications, approximately 15 were granted. <br /> Mayor Miller opened the public hearing. <br /> Kevin Jones, 1678 West 7th Avenue, spoke against the proposed moratorium. <br /> Mr. Jones indicated that highway construction often uses flashing signs to <br /> warn motorists of construction delays, dangers, and weather information and, <br /> if the Federal Highway Administration truly believes that such signs are <br /> dangerous, they would not use these signs. Furthermore, if the City chooses <br /> to adopt the moratorium because of concerns for traffic safety, the newly <br />e installed message at the Hult Center should also be turned off to reflect <br /> those concerns. He cautioned the council that Planning Commission <br /> information which regards such signs as traffic hazards is inaccurate and <br /> claimed that a number of studies have been conducted which indicate that <br /> there is no connection between flashing signs and traffic safety concerns. <br /> He requested further that the council consider each sign type separately. <br /> Steve Robinson, 2865 Taylor Street, indicated that he has taken an unofficial <br /> tally of most of the billboard faces around Eugene. He said that of the 150 <br /> total billboard faces that he counted, 10 percent promoted businesses outside <br /> the Eugene area; 30 percent promoted national name brand products (mostly <br /> alcohol and nicotine products); 25 percent promoted national and regional <br /> chains; 14 percent promoted local services; 12 percent promoted local <br /> restaurants and retail stores; and the remaining 5 percent promoted local <br /> hotels. Mr. Robinson said that in the interest of visual clutter, he <br /> supports the Planning Commission's moratorium on such signs. <br /> Spencer Whitted, address not given, spoke in opposition to the proposed <br /> moratorium. He indicated that billboards are important to bringing <br /> businesses into the downtown area, and a proposed moratorium would hurt this <br /> cause. <br /> Jim Torrey, 2545 Chuckanut Street, said that the only effect a six-month <br /> moratorium would have on billboards would be to induce a rash of requests to <br /> build billboards in areas where they wouldn't otherwise have been built. He <br />e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 20, 19a9 Page 7 <br /> c <br />