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118 Ed Churka, 507 St. John Street, President of the Downtown Association, spoke in favor of this application. He felt that the sign was attractive and the concerns with the sign were irrelevant. He felt that there were other issues in Downtown to be concerned with. There being no further testimony, Mr. Tarver declared the public hearing closed. Mr. Butler askedMr' Philcox if the opaque ivory background on the sign was a problem. Mr. Butler did not feel that a variance was the right approach in solving this problem. He felt that the way to solve this problem would be to change the code. Mr. Butler believed that this sign should be allowed more consideration than other signs because of how long it has existed. He suggested that historical significance should be defined in the code change. Mr. Philcox replied that the opaque ivory background was not a problem. Ms. Scribner explained that the Downtown Task Force agreed with the elimination of pole and freestanding signs. The pole signs and monument signs are considered automobile oriented but the Task Force was attempting to change the image to a pedestrian oriented environment, which does not require identity signs to be large. She was concerned with this sign being an internally illuminated pole sign. She felt that Council had asked the other banks to remove their signs and that this bank was not a special site. She found it difficult to grant a variance for this request. Ms. Mohr agreed that under the existing ordinance, she would not agree to a variance. She did not have an objection to free- standing signs because she felt that any sign could be attractive or not. She believed that it is not the sign by its nature that is objectionable but it is the design of it. She did not object to leaving the sign because it was not offensive. She agreed withMr. Butler's suggestion that there should be a code amendment. Ms. Scribner asked that the Downtown Task Force be allowed to give input on any change made to the ordinance. Mr. Tarver agreed. It was moved by Ms. Mohr, and seconded by Mr. Butler, directing staff to initiate a change to the Municipal Code to allow freestanding signs on Main Street or to allow retention of certain nonconforming signs which have attained historical significance, and to continue this application until these code amendments have been considered. 3/3/92 16