HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Adjustment Minutes 06.16.1988BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
LAUREL, MONTANA 69044
June 16, 1988
The Board of Adjustments meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m.
with the following members present:
Andy Muri-Chairman
Bruce Teeters
Don Cahill
Claude Cory
Others present:
Joe Bradley, City Attorney
Cal Cumin, Cumin Associates, Billings
Keith Thompson, 616 6th Ave.
Campbell Calvert, 1214 4th Ave.
Pearl S. Laird, 1011 1st Ave. Apt. 1
Mr. Williams, P.O. Box 1115
B. Meyer Harris, 1554 Beartooth
Donna Kilpatrick, 3 1st Ave.
Kent Harris, 501 W. 13th St.
Jim Flisrand, City Engineer
We received a resignation from T. Curtiss McKenzie, effective
6/16/88.
Don Cahill is making' the presentation for the variance requested
by Yellowstone Bank. He had previously told the Committee that he
would not vote on the variance, and disqualify himself from the
proceedings. But, due to Mr. McKenzie's resignation Don will either
have to vote, or we will be forced to cancel the meeting. The
Committee has discussed this with the City Attorney who found that
legally Don can vote, as his salary, from Yellowstone Bank, does
not bear on this variance being granted. It is then decided by
the Committee to continue with th~ proceedings.
File # 88-04 Yellowstone Bank
Yellowstone Bank has requested a variance to replace its existing
time and temperature sign on the front of the bank building. They
have been notified by Billings Neon that the manufacturer of the
sign is no longer able to supply parts to repair the existing
sign. A replacement clock would not fit in their existing sign,
and this has forced them to look at the possibility of putting
up a new sign to accomodate a new time and temperature mechanism.
The new sign would project 1' 4" less and would be 1' lower in
height than the existing sign.
The Bank has had a clock on the front of its building since 1949,
and would like to continue the tradition of providing the time
and temperature to the citizens of Laurel. At this point, if the
Page 2
June 16, 1988, Board of Adjustments
File # 88-05 Yellowstone Bank
existing clock were to malfunction, and this variance isn't
approved, they would be forced to disconnect the time and
temperature sign permanently.
At this point in the meeting pictures of the proposed sign are
passed among the Committee members. Extensive research was done,
by photo's as to where the new proposed sign will be in regards
to other business's signs in the area.
OPPOSITION
Pearl S Laird, of 1011 First Ave. Apt. 1, Laurel, is protesting
the variance. Mrs. Laird is the owner of Lot 17, Block 1, East
Laurel Subdivision, and is the owner of the building situated
thereon.
At the Street level of First Avenue the building is occupied by
Price Pharmacy and LeDuc Jewelers. These firms have outdoor
lighted signs in place over the sites they occupy. Mrs. Laird
feels that the variance requested by the Bank to allow it to
replace it's present sign with another could adversely impact
her tenant's and their businesses. Both the Price Pharmacy and
the LeDuc Jewelers signs may be obscured by the sign proposed by
the Bank. The new sign could block her tenants' signs from the
view of north-bound traffic on First Avenue between ~lain ~t. and
First Street.
If this is the case, she protests the request for a variance on
the grounds it may have a negative impact on the two firms in her
building, and consequently on the value of her property. She
would withdraw her protest if it is shown that the proposed sign
will have no impact on her tenants' existing signs.
Mrs. Laird states she has met with the Bank and gone over the
pictures.
After lengthy discussion among the Board Members and another
review of the pictures, it is felt that the proposed sign would
not have any negative bearing on Price Pharmacy and LeDuc Jewelers
signs. Mrs. Laird agrees with the Committee.
Motion by Bruce Teeters to approve the application by
Yellowstone Bank for a variance, providing that they put the sign
up according to the plans given the Committee, seconded by Claude
Cory. Motion passed 4-0.
At this time Cal Cumins states that he believes that this variance
meets all the criteria of a hardship case. If this variance was not
approved, the Bank would of not been able to put any sign up and
would of had to leave the old sign up, possibly defective.
Joe feels that its an asset to the community and a variance approval
is proper.
Page 3
June 16, 1988, Board of Adjustments
File # 88-05 Yellowstone Bank.
Discussion on setting a meeting time through a Resolution. There
has been some confusion on the part of the applicants as to
why there is such a long time between applying for the variance
and the meeting time set for the public hearing. Normal procedure
has been a 2 month wait to allow time for 2 newspaper publications,
and time for certified letters to be sent.
After much discussion the Committee has decided to accept all
applications brought in before the 15th of each given month, and
providing that there are 15 days to get newspaper publications
in, the hearing will be the following month.
Motion by Claude Cory to establishing a meeting time for
the 2nd Tuesday of each month, making sure the 15 day criteria
is met for publishing requirements, seconded by Bruce Teeters.
Motion passed 4-0.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:30
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryll Lund, Secretary
Board of Adjustments