Florissant Planning and Zoning Weigh Possible Ordinance Recommendation

Through two different issues discussed, appeared to be a cognizant thought during Monday's planning and zoning meeting.

Petitioner Dennis Caldwell requested a 10-by-10 inch electronic sign for at 400 W. Washington St., but Building Commissioner Philip Lum pointed out to the commission that the city council would be reviewing an electronic sign ordinance at the suggestion of the public works department.

He advised the Caldwell to make the bank’s sign as flexible as possible, but lead commissioner James Ross told Caldwell that he would not feel comfortable recommending approval until council made a decision about whether to change it.

“He doesn’t know, and we don’t know, what the regulations are,” Ross said to Building Commissioner Lum.

Lum said that the city would be recommending changes regarding how bright signs should be, the size of them and whether to have a single message at a time.

The commission seemed divided about whether to vote on it or continue it, but Caldwell decided he would prefer to speak to the representatives of the bank before proceeding, especially if the regulations could be changed for an electronic sign.

The commission unanimously decided to continue the motion until its Oct. 3 meeting.

Movement on the moratorium

The commission also made a recommendation to the city council regarding the .

The city presented a definition of nightclubs to the commission, but the commission requested for additional definitions for a cocktail lounge and tavern.

Ross said that he thought that all taverns, cocktail lounges and nightclubs should appear before planning and zoning as well as city council for a special use permit.

Commissioner Jane Boyle concurred and asked that the zoning code be amended so all three entities apply for a special use permit before obtaining an operating license.

The commission unanimously voted to approve the recommendation to city council.