City of Alton Plan Commission met Sept. 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
PRESENT: Mark Hackworth (Chairman), John Rain, James Rogalsky, Joe Blair, Barry Clayton, Terry Dooley
ABSENT: Megan Van Hoy, Todd Harpole, Jonas Janek, Martha Kane
OTHERS PRESENT: Deanna Barnes (Deputy Director of Development and Planning), Jim Schrempf (Corporation Counselor), and Micky Jones (Secretary)
Chairman Hackworth called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call. Roll call was taken with 6 present and 4 absent.
Motion was made by John Rain and seconded by Terry Dooley to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 10, 2019.
Vote was 6 to 0 in favor
Arrow Custom Signs, on behalf of Matt Castelli, petitioned for a special use permit at 3400 Fosterburg Road to allow the erection of one double-faced LED electronic message center display.
Motion was made by John Rain and seconded by Terry Dooley to open the public hearing. Vote was 6 to 0 in favor.
Natalie Ridder, with Arrow Signs, showed drawings of the sign and stated they have had engineers approve the sign and they will follow all applicable regulations.
Questions:
Size of the sign? 61” tall x 81” wide
Deanna Barnes read her memorandum.
Motion was made by Terry Dooley and seconded by Joe Blair to close the public hearing. Vote was 6 to 0 in favor.
Motion was made by Terry Dooley and seconded by James Rogalsky for a special use permit at the property identified by permanent parcel number 23-1-08-04-01-101-001.001, Section 4, Township 5 North, Range 9 West of the Third Principal Meridian, also known as 3400 Fosterburg Road, Alton, Illinois, to allow the erection of one double-faced LED electronic message center display.
Vote was 6 to 0 in favor Adjourned 1:20 p.m.
Revisit LED sign ordinance. Ordinance prepared by Jim Schrempf was discussed (see attached). Ms. Barnes read the proposed ordinance:
“D. Animated Signs: Animated signs and similar moving or message boards may be allowed in commercial (C) districts. Review and approval of the signs shall be based on the length of time that the sign copy is displayed and the ability of the sign to display the changeable copy without adversely disrupting traffic or causing safety problems.”
This proposed ordinance would stop animated signs from being required to go through the Plan Commission. The building inspector would review the sign before a sign permit could be issued. This process will save the applicant 8 weeks. There has never been complaints from the audience pertaining to LED signs. These signs are very popular. They will no longer be required to go before the Plan Commission.
Jim Schrempf explained the special use permits and permitted uses. Ms. Barnes said special use permits control details of certain businesses. She said she had a staff meeting with Building and Zoning and one alderman. Building and Zoning is comfortable approving the signs.
Motion was made by Terry Dooley and seconded by Barry Clayton to approve the new ordinance.
Vote was 6 to 0 in favor.
Adjourned 1:26 p.m.
https://www.cityofaltonil.com/minutes/6/2019-09-24%20Minutes.pdf
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