CALLED TO ORDER:  5:30 pm

PRESENT: John Maltby, Bill Fell, Kirt Ludwig and Bill Goulding. DRAFT

Absent: Dan Snyder.

Excused: John Hotvedt, due to conflict of interest.

MOTION: With technical corrections, the minutes of December 17, 2002 were approved on a motion by Bill Fell, seconded by John Maltby.

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None

APPEAL: Sign variance appeals for Miller Motors, 2421 South Milwaukee Avenue, Town of Burlington, lying within the jurisdiction of the City’s Extraterritorial Zoning Ordinance, to install a directional sign to exceed the allowable height and area, a free-standing sign to exceed allowable height, and to allow an additional free-standing sign.

Appearing for Miller Motors, Mr. Bill Phenicie of Lloyd Phenicie Lynch & Kelly, Kevin Weaver of Babcock Advertising (the sign contractor) and Chris Miller of Miller Motors. No one appeared in favor of nor opposed to the variance request. The City stood opposed to granting the variances.

RULING: As related to the directional sign it was determined that the main issue was safety and a compliant sign at a height of 4 feet and an area of (3) square feet would not have adequate visibility in this unique circumstance. On a motion by John Maltby, seconded by Bill Fell, the appeal was approved unanimously.

RULING: As related to an additional free-standing sign it was taken into consideration that Miller Motors is two dealerships, Ford and Chrysler, and to deny a second free-standing sign was paramount to denying the use of that property as a multiple car dealership. On a motion by Bill Goulding, seconded by John Maltby, the appeal was approved unanimously.

RULING: As related to a free-standing sign that would exceed allowable height. It was noted that with the reconstruction of Hwy 36 the existing sign stood approximately 10 feet below grade. Additionally at 15 feet it would not be visible given the height of the buildings. Upon deliberation Mr. Phenicie amended the appeal to a height of 25 feet and on motion by Bill Fell, seconded by John Maltby, the appeal was approved unanimously. Additionally on a motion by John Maltby, seconded by Bill Fell, it was stipulated that the afore mentioned sign could be placed no less than 15 feet from the adjacent structure.

ADJOURNMENT: The Chair declared that the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 pm on January 21, 2003.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bill Goulding