Sign variance causes discussion at MP City Council

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

An ordinance variance allowing a church to post an electronic sign in a residential section has other churches asking, why not us?

Calvary Baptist Church on Mapleleaf Drive is the only church with an electronic sign, and Jack Swarm, city building and zoning administrator, said the board of adjustment may have erred in granting the variance in 2013.

?It appears that this variance (Calvary Baptist) was issued contrary to the established variance regulations,? Swarm said in his council report.

Swarm said the city has received two applications from churches for variances to install electronic message signs in residential zoning districts.

Under current city code, schools are the only entities permitted to have electronic message signs in residential zoning districts, where most local churches are located. To have an electronic sign, the sign must be 100 feet away from properties that are zoned residential.

The council?s ordinance committee, rather than the board of adjustment suggested the changes in the current electronic sign ordinance.

Another change debated by the committee was shortening the distance from residential properties from 100 to 70 feet.

?Most residential lots are from 70 feet to 100 feet so there aren?t a lot of places where a sign will be allowed,? noted Swarm. ?You almost need a 200-foot lot.

Following more discussion, council consensus was to keep the distance in residential-zoned areas to 100 feet.

Councilman Matt Crull asked if brightness of such signs was discussed.

Swarn said it was not and that the current ordinance does not have any language concerning brightness of such signs.

?Maybe we should be looking at the brightness (of such signs),? Crull suggested.

In other business, the council unanimously approved the adoption of an ordinance establishing no parking on the east side of the 800 and 900 blocks of South Adams Street, one council member said he could vote either way.

?I did have some phone calls and observed the street,? said Crull. ?I see their point, but a rental house is creating a lot of problems and the people now have moved out (of the rental house).

?I am really on the fence on this one,? Crull continued. ?I told everyone who called to be here tonight and I see a rather empty chamber.?

None of the other council members said they had been contacted about the ordinance.

The Mt. Pleasant Post Office asked for no parking on the street due ?to ongoing problems with vehicles parking in front of mailboxes,? wrote Susan Childers, a customer service supervisor at the local post office.

Parking will be prohibited on east side of the 800 and 900 blocks of South Adams Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A pair of engineering services agreements were approved with Warner Engineering Associates Inc. of Mt. Pleasant. The first agreement was for the East Langdon Street improvements at a cost of $37,500. The other agreement is for West Green Street improvements at a cost of $17,500.

Approval was given to hire Thomas McInerney, an architect from Iowa City, for the design and oversite of a new park shop being built on a city-owned lot near Van Allen Elementary School. McInerney will be paid a fee not to exceed $9,900 for its work.

With city elections in November approaching, council members Steve Engberg and Crull said they would be seeking re-election. Mayor Steve Brimhall also said he will be running for another term. Councilman Tim Gray said due to furthering his education, he will not be running for another term.

Mt. Pleasant City Council members meet again in regular session Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.