The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/19/1985 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS HELD ON MARCH 19, 1985 The WORK SESSION was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with the following members present: Larry D. Sample Mayor Rick Harris Councilman Noel Long Councilman Helen Gray Councilman Don Amick Councilman Marlene Poole Councilman and with Councilman Dodds absent due to illness; however, a quorum was established. There were numerous other persons at the meeting representing various merchants in the community. 1. DISCUSSION OF CITY POLICIES AND PROCEEDURES WITH REGARDS TO COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES IN THE CITY Mayor Sample began by stating that the purpose of the outside sales display ordinance is not to intimidate the merchants but to discourage unsightliness and prevent hazards in the shopping centers. Mr. Lavell Garner, Manager of Eckerd Drugs acted as the spokesperson for the merchants. He reviewed seven proposals with the Council as recommended by the merchants. They are as follows: I.No charge for permits for merchants who lease building space and pay a sales tax to the city II. No permits should be needed for sidewalk displays. These displays will not take up more than 75% of the store front and 30% of the width of the sidewalk. III.Permits issued for sidewalk sales but at no cost to merchants in leased building space. IV.Use of banners for special sales maximum 3'X10' secured in all four corners. Maximum 4 banners used in 12 month period. Maximum 30 day period for each banner. Banners can be approved by city as far as its professional appearance. V. Index signs in center of parking lots of shopping center. VI.Shingles at least 8½ feet above sidewalk perpendicular to parking lot. All shingles will be identical in looks, size and color approved by the city. VII.Changing of the term "retail merchants" to not include intinerent merchants selling firewood or christmas trees. The merchants seemed to believe that the sales tax paid to the City should cover any sort of permit fees. They didn't think it was necessary to get a permit everytime they wanted to display merchandise outside their store front. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the amount of space that would be used for such displays. Mr. Kelly Keith of Kelly Anne Interiors felt like his business was suffering because he couldn't display his merchandise out{side to catch the eye of prospective customers, i.e. bolts of carpet. After the Council had listened to and discussed each of the proposals, it was determined that a moratorium of ordinance #314 would be considered at the April 1st CityCouncil meeting. It was further agreed that the merchants would be in charge of their own enforcement of each other if such a moratorium is granted. Council also agreed to consider amending Ordinance #61 to allow shingles and would get a legal opinion on how to deal with intinerent merchants. 0019','0 With no further action to be taken by the Council at this time, Councilman Poole moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilman Long, the motion carried with a unanimous vote. Mayor Sample adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Approved: Larry' D. ~"~le, May6-~ -~. Attest: Jan~.t/ Gadd, City Secreta y [SEAL]