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Regular Meeting June 9, 2003 Page 3 Stokes stated he is a representative of Lamar Outdoor Advertising. He stated he could support the Council proposed Ordinance if language was added to include IH35. 5) Brad Scott stated he represents Reagan National Outdoors Advertising. He stated he supports adding IH35 to the proposed Ordinance. He also feels both sign companies and property owners should be able to negotiate and the sign company should be able to relocate if an agreement is not reached. He stated he also supports the removal of a sign to add another sign on IH35. 6) Curtis Ford stated he does not mind competing with other sign companies, but if this proposed Ordinance is adopted it would put him out of business. He supports allowing property owners the ability to negotiate with sign companies. 7) Sarah Andrea stated she represents Scenic Texas. She stated she like the Council proposed Ordinance, but does not love the proposed Ordinance. She feels the cap and replace policy is good, but she also feels the Council can do better. She encouraged the Council to think about what they want San Marcos to look like in the future. She also stated the quality of life will affect the economic development of the City. 8) Bill Blocker inquired of the economic benefits to the City to have signs. 9) Amy Kirwin encouraged the Council to consider the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. She also stated the citizens of San Marcos do not want more billboards. 10) Ivar Gunnarson stated he pays taxes on all his billboards. Mayor Habingreither asked if anyone else wished to speak. No one did, so Mayor Habingreither closed the public hearing. Mr. Taylor moved for approval and Ms. Narvaiz seconded the motion. Mr. Mihalkanin inquired how different is the proposed Ordinance to the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation. Jon James, Chief Planner of the Planning Department, stated the Planning and Zoning Commission gave 8 recommendations. He stated the proposed Ordinance has five of the eight recommendations, but the Ordinance does not include 1. Signs allowed only in Commercial or Industrial area, 2. Keep existing height, size and spacing requirements for new or replacement billboards, and 3.Keep the existing regulations allowing nonconforming signs to be maintained, but not replaced. He stated the proposed Ordinance gives the nonconforming signs rights to the landowners. Mr. Montoya stated he does not support the proposed Ordinance. He feels the Ordinance should be amended to allow the landowner rights. Mr. Diaz stated he is concerned with maintaining free enterprise. He stated he supports the capping and replacing of signs. He feels the condition of signs needs to be in good condition. He also feels this is a good compromise. Ms. Narvaiz stated she feels Council is listening to everyone. She stated the intention of the three Council Members who worked on the proposed Ordinance was to come up with all the issues Council has talked about. She feels signs are needed to promote economic development but should retain aesthetics. Mr. Thomaides stated he wants no new billboards in town and feels the Council needs to reach a consensus on this issue. He also stated if the current Ordinance is not amended the City will have 260 new billboards. He stated he supports a cap and replace for same square footage with the new sign. He also feels the Downtown Historic District does not need new signs. Mr. Taylor stated the intention of the proposed Ordinance was not to make a safe haven for new signs in the Downtown Historic District. He stated the proposed Ordinance does not allow additional signs in the City, no double