1988-02-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . Minutes - Plan Commission Page 7 February 24, 1988 that the proposed revision would eliminate more than one sign per candidate on a lot. Chairman McCauley noted that the limitation on the number of campaign signs might raise First Amendment free speech issues. Mr. Darwin Portman of 7245 Cornell Avenue noted that some preliminary legal research might reveal answers to any conflict between a limitation on the number of campaign signs allowed to be displayed and freedom of speech considerations. Commission members discussed these issues and recommended that the Zoning Administrator look into the First Amendment issue with regard to campaign signs and report back to the Plan Commission. Mr. Ollendorff stated that the current ordinance governing campaign signs raised many enforcement problems and that a revision of the regulations pending appropriate research and discussion would be warranted. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman McCauley suggested that Plan Commission members discuss the issue of ex parte contacts by applicants for conditional uses or rezoning proposals with Commission members. He stated that the possibility existed for applicants to gain an advantage for their proposal by talking privately with individual members before meetings or scheduled public hearings. Mr. Rice stated that the most important problem to avoid was the appearance of impropriety in presenting the idea that members had made a decision on the issue before a meeting or hearing or had gained extra insight into a proposal before any meeting. Mr. Ollendorff suggested that if Commission members are contacted by applicants in advance of meetings that the member merely ask for the issue or proposal in writing with copies for all members to read and share. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.