Board of Adjustment

MINUTES BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT REGULAR MEETING March 24, 2014 – 4:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Bang, Members Winter, Casey, Sawyer, Friedrich, Planning Director Rian Harkins and Chief Building Inspector Don Simons Chairman Bang called the meeting to order. Roll Call Vote was taken – 5 present. Chairman Bang read a statement that this meeting was preceded by publicized notice in the Fremont Tribune and the agenda displayed in the lobby of the Municipal Building and posted online at www.fremontne.gov; and distributed to the Board of Adjustment, Mayor and City Council on March 10, 2014 and is open to the public. Chairman Bang also stated a copy of the agenda was kept continually current and available to the public at 400 East Military, 3rd floor and a copy of the open meeting law is posted continually for public inspection located near the Council Chambers entrance door by the agendas. It was moved by Friedrich, seconded by Casey, to dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the January 27, 2014 Regular Meeting and approve as received. Roll Call Vote showed members Bang, Casey, Winter, Friedrich, and Sawyer voting aye – 5 ayes. Motion approved. Chairman Bang stated the general public is invited to address the Board of Adjustment regarding any item on this agenda at this time or wait until discussion of their request is taking place. No public comments were received.  Consider the request of Broad Street Apartments, LLC to erect a pole sign in the Downtown Commercial Zoning District or a monument sign within the vision clearance triangle at 225 West Military Ave, Fremont, Dodge County, Nebraska Planning Director Harkins outlined the staff report. Don Schneider, agent for the applicant, clarified that they would be using the existing pole sign if the variance was approved for a pole sign rather than a monument sign. Moved by Winter, seconded by Freidrich to recommend approval of the request. Roll Call Vote showed members Sawyer, Casey, Bang, Winter, and Friedrich voting aye – 5 ayes. Motion Carried.  Consider request of Fremont Public Schools to erect an electronic message board at Milliken Park Elementary, 2950 Dale Drive, Fremont, Dodge County, Nebraska Planning Director Harkins outlined the staff report. Susan Fargas, Principal at Milliken Park Elementary, clarified that they would be using the existing sign’s structure and replacing the message board with an electronic one if the variance was approved. Russ Koch, Facilities Director of the Fremont Public Schools, noted that this was a donation of the PTA. Kathy Show and Marci Dermenter spoke in opposition to the variance request. They noted the potential decline in safety due to distracted drivers during morning drop off, that afternoon pick 1 up was on the opposite side of the building, and that there are many other forms of communication used to send information home to families. They presented signature against the sign and other background information. It was moved by Bang, seconded by Friedrich, to receive and file the information. Roll Call Vote showed members Winter, Casey, Friedrich, Winter, and Bang voting aye – 5 ayes. Motion Carried. Melissa Diers spoke in favor of the project, and noted that some of the concerns are likely exaggerated due to the location of the sign so far away from the street (25 feet). Diers stated the PTA felt the sign was another way to communicate with families. Moved by Casey, seconded by Winter to deny the request due to a lack of hardship present. Roll Call Vote showed members Friedrich, Casey, Sawyer, Winter, and Bang voting aye – 5 ayes. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. 2