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P&Z receives comments on Burger King sign

July 17, 2019 - 00:00
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The Navasota Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission held a Regular Meeting and workshop, Thursday, July 11, to discuss regulating wireless telecommunication facilities but before the workshop, public comments related to the newly approved Burger King sign were received.

Addressing commissioners in a “citizen” capacity was city council member Geoff Horn who requested P&Z consider fine-tuning the definitions of monument and pole signs. Based on descriptions found in his research of other Texas city sign ordinances, monument signs are consistently defined as structures connected to the ground with a solid base, no clearance between the base and the ground, and 4 foot in height to 8 foot maximum. In contrast, pole signs are attached to freestanding poles and have clearance between the bottom of the sign and the ground.

According to Horn, the city’s current definitions are “open to interpretation.”

He continued, “I believe the fastest way for a city or a town or municipality to start looking bad is its signage…

I’m just a citizen tonight. I am not representing city council in any way, shape or form but I don’t want to see the character of the city deteriorate so that is why I am imploring your help.”

While Horn was absent from the July 8 council meeting due to illness, councilman Josh Fultz was present and voted for the second rendering of the signage, described as a “hybrid” monument sign.

As the quarterly liaison to P&Z, Fultz said, “I certainly understand the need to advertise, and we want to be business-friendly, and I want to help a business more than I would want to hurt a business. They felt like that was what they needed to get their name out there so the folks along Highway 6 could see it. I did not feel comfortable with what was originally offered. I didn’t feel totally acceptable to the second option, but I felt the second option was better than turning away businesses that want to build in our community. That’s why I voted the way I did.”

A sign workshop is tentatively scheduled for July 25.

Cell tower regs in works

After the recent hearings for a conditional use permit application for a wireless telecommunication facility, city staff and P&Z are considering regulations or requirements for wireless cell towers. At Thursday’s meeting Community Development Director Lupe Diosdado provided commissioners with proposed application requirements, general standards and design requirements he obtained through a statewide search.

Diosdado said, “This is our attempt to start the conversation and get some direction. The big thing that I noticed after looking at multiple cities is that they prioritize the location, how many, and the actual visibility of each tower. This is incorporated into the proposed regulations.”

Sarah Korpita suggested adding details quantifying the benefit to users that justifies adding a new tower. In addition, since the cost of tower rental was a factor behind the recent permit request, she suggested a copy of the rental agreement should be available.

Chairman Pro Tem, Dia Copeland said, “How many collocators can we put on a tower? That needs to be defined as well. If you can put eight collocators on the tower and you’ve only got three, why do you need a new tower?”

Also discussed were the proposed setback requirements, screening, fencing and safety. Addressing the number of towers allowed per square mile, the rough draft states “a tower shall be placed 2 miles from all other towers.” The revised proposed regulations are scheduled for review at a workshop July 25.

Before adjourning, commissioners approved the Minutes of the June 27 meeting.

Commissioners present were Dia Copeland, James Harris, Carolyn Katkoski, Sarah Korpita and Patty Tokoly. Chairman Randy Peters and Dr. John Walla were absent.

Representing the City of Navasota were Community Development Director Lupe Diosdado, Community Relations Specialist Kris Gruver, Economic Development Specialist Jonathan Soseby and city council liaison Josh Fultz.