CITY OF WEED PLANNING COMMISSION

     REGULAR MEETING

   AUGUST 2, 2000

 

The Planning Commission of the City of Weed held a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 2, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

Chairman Virgil Tuman called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present, in addition to Chairman Tuman were Commissioners Richard Acquistapace, Jack Colombana, and Jess Gonzales.  Also present were City Administrator Earl Wilson and Planning Commission Secretary Deborah Salvestrin. 

 

Chairman Tuman reported that Commissioners Harold Baltar and Candace Dillingham reported, prior to the time of the meeting, they would be out of town. 

 

Commissioner Gonzales moved to excuse the absence of Commissioners Baltar and Dillingham. Commissioner Acquistapace seconded the motion. 

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Colombana, Gonzales, and Tuman

NOES:             None

ABSENT:            Commissioners Baltar, Dillingham, and Heiser

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

Chairman Tuman invited comments and/or questions from the audience, and noted that no action could be taken by the Commission except to set the matter presented for the next regular Commission meeting.  There were none. 

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Chairman Tuman called for Commissioners to declare conflicts of interest on any item on this agenda. There were none

 

REGULAR AGENDA

A.  Use Permit:  Bill’s Garage & Towing, 44 S. Weed Boulevard

City Administrator Wilson reviewed the use permit issued to Lony Patton for the use of property located at 44 W. Weed Boulevard for automobile parking and storage associated with Bill’s Garage & Towing located at 69 S. Weed Boulevard.  Mr. Wilson stated that one of the conditions of the use permit was the removal of a freestanding pole that was formerly used for advertising, and the condition has not been complied with.  Mr. Wilson reviewed that Lony Patton appeared before the Commission at its last meeting to ask for an extension of the condition because groundwater testing is being conducted on the property and that limits use but at the conclusion of the testing, he wants to further develop the property. 

 

Commissioner Gonzales moved, seconded by Commissioner Acquistapace, to grant a one-year extension of the pole removal requirements on the condition that the City is kept informed of the status of the ground water testing. 

 

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Colombana, Gonzales, and Tuman

NOES:             None

ABSENT:            Commissioners Baltar, Dillingham, and Heiser

 

B.  Sign Permit:  S. Weed Truck and Travel Center, 395 E. Vista Drive

City Administrator Wilson reported receipt of application for sign permits for on-site advertising signs submitted by Jim Henry of the South Weed Truck and Travel Center.  Mr. Henry proposes a 100-foot freestanding high-rise pole sign and a 12-foot monument sign both to be placed near the corner of Black Butte and Vista Drives.  It was noted that this review is based on concepts for the sign copy because the fuel brands and food services are not finalized therefore the color schemes and exact wording is not available. 

 

Commissioners briefly discussed line of sight and vehicle visibility with regard to the monument sign.  Chairman Tuman asked for and received verification that Mr. Henry had read the proposed conditions that were listed in the staff report. 

 

Commission finds that the establishment, maintenance or operation of the use applied for will not be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the persons residing or working in the neighborhood, and it will not be injurious or detrimental to the property and improvements in the neighborhood or the general welfare of the city.

 

Commissioner Gonzales moved, seconded by Commissioner Acquistapace, approval of the request for sign use permit subject to the following:

 

A.  All signs for business owners who go out of business, or discontinue the particular line of business or service advertised in the sign, shall be dismantled and removed within thirty days of such going out of business or service, by the owner of the building or property.  In case of the failure of the owner to do so, the city will cause such sign to be dismantled and removed, and the cost of this shall be borne by the owner of the building or property. 

 

B.  Outdoor advertising structure or sign shall not display or makes use of the words "stop", "danger", or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic. 

 

C.  Signs shall not have red, green or amber lights that could be confused with traffic signals.          

 

D.  The city council is authorized and empowered to revoke any permit issued by the city administrator or his duly authorized agents, or the planning commission upon failure of the holder to comply with any of the provisions of this section.  Revocation proceedings shall be conducted as detailed in Sections 18.32.140 and 18.32.150. 

 

E.  Signs shall be suspended so as to leave a clearance of at least ten feet perpendicularly above all sidewalks, and a clearance of at least fourteen feet perpendicularly above all driveways, and shall not extend beyond a point of two feet inside the outer or curb line of the sidewalk; provided, however, that no such sign shall be suspended at such a height so as to interfere with the illumination from street lights erected and maintained by the city. 

 

F.  All signs shall be maintained in good repair and have a neat appearance. 

 

G.  It shall be the responsibility of the sign owner to clean up any and all debris resulting from a failure of a sign.

 

H.  Sign permits shall not be issued until fifteen days have elapsed from the granting thereof, and in case an appeal is filed from the planning commission decision thereon shall not be issued until decision has been made by the city council on such appeal.

 

I.  Sign permits shall not have any force and effect until the permitted acknowledges receipt thereof and acceptance of any conditions thereto. 

 

J.  After the required 15-day waiting period, a building permit must be obtained prior to installation.  Engineering for the wind-loading requirement may be required as determined by the building inspector. 

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Colombana, Gonzales, and Tuman

NOES:             None

ABSENT:            Commissioners Baltar, Dillingham, and Heiser

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Gonzales moved, seconded by Commissioner Colombana, approval of the minutes of the meetings of September 1, September 8, October 6, 1999, and January 5, April 5, May 3, June 7, and July 5, 2000 as written, copies of which were distributed to the Commission for review prior to the time of the meeting. 

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Colombana, Gonzales, and Tuman

NOES:             None

ABSENT:            Commissioners Baltar, Dillingham, and Heiser

 

COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS

Commissioner Acquistapace asked about the status of the work on the well to solve the gravel problem, and City Administrator Wilson reviewed the project to view the well with an underwater camera. 

 

Chairman Tuman asked if response has been made to the City’s complaint about the railroad crossings, and City Administrator Wilson responded they have asked the City for help because they don’t have the manpower. 

 

STAFF REPORTS

City Administrator Wilson announced a workshop entitled “Open Board Meetings” to be held on August 16 in Yreka, and invited Commission attendance. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Gonzales moved adjournment, motion seconded by Commissioner Colombana. 

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Colombana, Gonzales, and Tuman

NOES:             None

ABSENT:            Commissioners Baltar, Dillingham, and Heiser

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:23 P.M.