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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-05 ACE MINUTES• • • ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD Novem be r 5, 2 009 I. CALL TO ORDER ~ The regular meetin g of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood {AC E) was ca lled to order at 11 :36 a.m. in the City Coun c il Conference Room of the En glewood Civic Center, Chair Lonborg presiding. Present: Lonborg, Vasilas, Schalk, Espinoza Absent: McDermott Also present: Coleen Mello, Greater En glewoo d Chamber of Commerce Robert Goolesby, Erica 's Skin Care Bob Laughlin, Acoustic Music Revival Staff present: A lan White, Community Development Director Darren Hollingsworth, Economic Development Coordinator Michael Flaherty, Deputy City Manager APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 8, 2009 Chair Lonborg stated that the Minutes of October 8, 2009 were to be considered for approval. It was determ i ned there was a quor u m . Cha i r Lonborg asked if there were any changes or adjustments to the Minutes. There were none. Vasilas moved: Schalk seconded: THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 8, 2009 BE APPROVED AS WRITIEN . The motion carried unanimously. t?l) Chair Lonborg asked the two g uests to please introduce themselves . 11. ACE BUSINESS llll TEMPORARY SIGNAGE UPDATE Chair Lonborg stated the members spent the last meeting ta lkin g about bann e rs . Tod ay's discussion will conti nue that dialogue and also center on portable signage. She noted if the Board came to consensus today, the recommendations could go to Plannin g and Zonin g on November 17th, b u t the Board should in no way feel pressure to meet that deadline. Sh e said she fe lt it was more important to do this well and ri ght more so than meeting that timing . 1 • Director White provided an update of the Planning and Zonin g meeting of November 3, 2009. Chair Lonborg asked Director White if he would recommend taking to Plannin g and Zoning what has been completed so far or wait till all is complete. Director White said he would recommend waiting till ACE has completed their discussion. Director White noted that Planning and Zoning had talked about holding a joint meeting with ACE. It was suggested a Planning and Zoning member attend the next ACE meetin g. Director White said he could ask, but felt it would be better to be in front of the whole group. Mr. Schalk said the sign code issues are far greater than what we are discussing; murals need to be addressed. Mr. Flaherty provided an update on the legal action taking place regarding murals. Chair Lonborg thanked Staff for providing a copy of the Denver Ordinance. She sa id it was very helpful and would make a good template. One of the caveats of what ACE went into this discussion with was that the members are all in agreement that we need to do a better job of signage so that we can promote businesses and Englewood has a friendly business environment in which to do business. She said she felt it was safe to say our concern is that the current sign code does not allow us to do that. That is the basis in which we are operating here and trying to make improve m ents and suggestions that would be palatable toward moving ACE forward. • Mr. Vasilas wanted to clarify ACE's discussion will be on that part of the sign code dealing with temporary signs, not the entire code. He stated he reviewed Denver's temporary sign code and feels the 3 feet by 30 inch size sandwich board sign is a good size and the one year limit per fee is fair. Discussion ensued regarding flashing and animated signs and what the maximum hei g ht requirement for a sandwich board should be. It was noted these signs are promotional signs; businesses also have permanent signage higher up on buildings. Mr. Schalk said he believes the code needs to be more lenient rather than restrictive, but ultimately needs to be safe. We have good people in Englewood and we need to trust the community to do the right thing. He suggested a maximum height of 5 feet for sandwich board signs. Several members felt that was too tall. Ms. Espinoza said there needs to be some strict guidelines. After further discussion the members decided on a maximum size of 48 inches high by 36 inches wide. Mr. Flah e rty said he felt what would govern the size would be the standard size that is sold. Chair Lonborg noted several cities on the chart allow 4 foot signs. Mr. Flaherty said he tends not to look at sandwich board signage when he is driving; his eye goes to the signage on the building. Chair Lonborg asked to finish this section and then look at the list of sign prohibitions and • make recommendations on things that ACE would like to see come off the list altogether. 2 • • • Chair Lonborg reviewed the balance of Denver's temporary sign code. The members agreed with most of the guidelines but questioned one sign per business, especially for businesses that have larger street frontage. Chair Lonborg said one jurisdiction on the chart allowed one sign for every point of entry. After further discussion it was decided to recommend one sign per businesses with up to 49 feet of street frontage and up to two signs for businesses with greater than 50 feet of street frontage. Flashing and /or animated signs will be included in ACE's recommendation . Signs will not have to be anchored, but will need to be safely secured. Mr. Vasilas discussed the use of sandwich board signs in the BID. He did not want the BID to restrict the use of said signs. Mr. Flaherty noted that temporary signs in Denver, as in Englewood, relates to the sign code but is not part of the sign code. It is part of the public right-of-way restrictions and is a Public Works issue . Although the Planning and Zoning Commission may want to look at ACE's recommendations, this is an area that can go directly to City Council. Chair Lonborg asked if ACE's recommendation is that the Sign Code be amended to remove the restriction on portable signs and that the right-of-way code be amended to adopt these recommendations. Mr. Flaherty said that would probably the cleanest way to go. It would go directly to City Council after review by the Public Works Department. Chair Lonborg said ACE will recommend to the Planning and Zoning Commission they remove the restriction in the Sign Code prohibiting portable signs and that the recommendations also be forward to the Public Works Department and City Council for adoption with respect to right-of-way signage. Chair Lonborg asked for a motion. Espinoza moved: Schalk seconded: TO RECOMMEND TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION THE SIGN CODE BE AMENDED TO REMOVE THE RESTRICTION PROHIBITING PORTABLE SIGNS AND THE RECOMMENDATION ALSO BE FORWARDED TO PUBLIC WORKS AND CITY COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION WITH RESPECT TO RIGHT- OF-WAY SIGNAGE. The motion carried unanimousl y . l§J Banners Chair Lonborg review last month's discussion on banners and ACE's recommendation. The Board reviewed the comparison chart of numerous other jurisdictions distributed at the meeting. It was determined the City of Englewood regulations are currently in-lin e or more flexible with many of the other jurisdictions. Mr. Schalk said he would like to have a banner that changed periodically in front of his business most of the year. He noted there are currently businesses in Englewood that have banners up for long periods of time for promotion purposes. 3 • • • Chair Lonborg said one of the items discussed at the last meeting was that a permanent sign can be constructed out of banner material. What is the difference then between a permanent sign constructed out of banner material and a banner? Mr. Laughlin said a permanent sign would be anchored to the ground or the building. Mr. Schalk provided examples of ever changing signs in Englewood and Denver. The idea of allowing banners year round with a maintenance clause was discussed . Several agreed the effectiveness of long-term banners is questionable. It was noted that if banners were to be used as permanent signs they would count towards total sign allowance. Temporary signs would not. Mr. Schalk stated he would prefer to not have an allotment. Chair Lonborg said she didn 't hear any consistency of what ACE wants to do. Mr. Vasilas said what we have proposed amounts to being able to have a banner up 168 days per y ear. Mr. Schalk did not agree with that. Ms. Espinoza said she was for it; a banner is to advertise something special. If it is going to be a permanent sign it should count towards the allowable signage allotment. We don't want the City to be cluttered . Chair Lonborg said ACE's recommendations would make the sign code far friendlier than it is now. Mr. Vasilas asked Director White if he could explain the real estate sign code. He said as long as there is available property for lease or sale it can be advertised. Chair Lonborg asked if someone would like to make a motion or should the discussion be continued to the next meeting. Ms. Espinoza said she did not believe ACE was ready to make a recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission . It was determined the Board needed more time to discuss banners. The Board also did not have time to discuss murals. Both discussions will be continued to the next ACE meeting. Chair Lonborg asked if all members could receive a copy of the entire sign code. Staff noted it is on the City's website and offered to provide a link. Ill. COMMENTS & EVENTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ~ Ms. Mello stated the Dining Guide and the Membership Directory are currently being updated The annual holiday party will be held on December 3 th from 5 to 8 at the new Riverpoint Apartments.; they are new members of the Chamber and offered to host this year's party. BID COMMENTS ~ Notices were sent out to all who are delinquent giving them till November 1 5 to pay up or be turned over to the County for collection. Mr. Vasilas stated he visited seven businesses and/or building owners where he knew the people personally and all are now caught up. The public hearing for the 2010 assessment will be held on December 18 th . A flyer has been sent to all building and business owners. All are welcome to attend. 4 • • • All artwork in the planters along South Broadway is complete. The Christmas decorations will be up soon. The web site cont inu es to be worked on and the videographer will comp lete his work shortly. ACE MEMBERS l§ll Mr. Vasilas asked for an update on medical marijuana in the City. Director White stated the City is currently working on regulations . New establ ishm ents cannot be located within the City at this time due to a moratorium. There are three currently open in the City. Mr. Vasilas stated he had been given a complaint regarding one of the current caregivers; he passed it on to Director White . Mr. Flaherty said the issue will go to City Council for initial discussion on December 71h. It was noted the old Art 0-Rama building is in foreclosure and past due assessments are owed to the BID. Wild Heather, which opened in June, is going out of business . STAFF COMMENTS ~ Director White said the reconstruction of the paseo on the west side of Broadway is 95% complete. Mr. Vasilas said it looks very nice. Mr. Laughlin thanked the City; he uses it and it looks wonderful. He noted there are several light bulbs that are out. No further business was brought forth for consideration. The meeting was adjourned at 1 :00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2009 . 5