12/14/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Adrienne Lannom, Planning Commissioner, is present to answer questions. Most surrounding land is zoned Community Commercial. He outlined the procedures for e the heari ng. Additionally, Allen Gardner submitted a letter with new information and it was included in the council packets and will be discussed during the public hearing. Mr. Haws asked about the future development of the street. Mr. Croteau responded that it will be a city arterial. Mr. Haws asked if it will include curbs and gutters. Mr. Croteau responded that curbs and gutters are already in place from Valley River Drive north to approximately the mobile home park. No ex parte contacts or conflicts of interest were noted. St aff notes and minutes were entered into the record. Public hearing was opened. Speaking in favor: Allen Gardner, 915 Oak, presented a slide presentation. He represents all three of the petitioners located on Goodpasture Island Road. These are large businesses and each is several businesses in one. They all have existing signs which are of national design and are tasteful. There is no pedestrian traffic in this area. When these areas were first developed, they were outside the city limits and were in accordance with Lane County rules and signs regulations. Then they were annexed, and they do not feel it is appropriate to impose these regulations when the signs were acceptable to Lane County. The Outlying Commercial District allowed 40 square feet per side for signs and 80 square feet of incidental signing. Each business currently has larger amounts of signing than permitted. e The Highway designation would allow 100 square feet of signs. A speed survey was done when construction was occurring. The speed of the traffic is the primary criteria set up by the code in determining signs. The faster the traffic, the greater the need for larger signs. The results of the speed survey in the councilors' packets showed that cars were traveling an average of over 40 miles per hour. The Outlying Commercial designation is for areas with speeds at 30 miles per hour. The Highway designation is for areas with speeds above 30 miles per hour. The slowest car in the survey was going 32 miles per hour. Existing signs cause no interference with traffic signals. Franklin Boulevard and Coburg Road have Highway Oriented designations. They feel this type of development should be encouraged. A change in the designation would be an encouragement to businesses. Roger Korstad, 1421 Oakway Road, stated that he was the owner of the sign company WhlCh installed the signs. Although he is no longer with that sign company, he is proud of the work he did. The City's Sign Code is unique when compared to other cities. Eugene's Sign Code is an overlay of the zoning map and does not necessarily apply to existing businesses. This is a strip of businesses that was developed under County regulations and built beautifully. He has heard no complaints and wonders why they must downgrade the nicest looking area in town. Economically, the area is struggling and now the City is asking these dealers to remove what may be keeping them in business--their signs. Forty square feet is not enough to identify the dealerships and the services offered by the dealerships. The Willamette River is on one side of e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 14, 1981 Page 9