City approves Casey’s proposed sign at interstate interchange

The Tea City Council met July 6 and heard from Casey’s General Stores representatives on their proposal to put up a 870-square-foot sign 100 feet in the air.

Planning and zoning administrator Kevin Nissen said the sign exceeds the 30-foot high ordinance. The council considered Casey’s conditional use permit. Casey’s representatives provided data and information on why a large sign so high in the air is needed along the interstate. They have received FAA approval. The sign will go in at 2100 N. Bakker Avenue. The council approved the CUP.

The council also heard from GrandStay Hotel owner Arlyn Olsen and his concerns over the parking lot concert neighboring restaurant Squealer’s hosted in June. Olsen received massive amounts of complaints from that night and the reviews left by guests staying at the hotel that weekend were brutal. He doesn’t know how many rooms they gave away free.

The hotel and the restaurant have a shared parking agreement, however, the concert that was held at Squealer’s ran over the parking lot. He has been in contact with Squealer’s owners and has had good contact with three of them but received an inappropriate email back from one of the owners.

Mayor John Lawler said he has been in contact with both sides and has a meeting with Squealer’s owners this week. He has also been in contact with the police chief. Olsen urged the council to consider working on a noise ordinance.

“It was a really bad deal and I don’t want to be here,” Olsen said.

A representative from South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG) presented information on the $3.2 million loan from the drinking water facilities fund through the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The interest rate for a 30-year term is 2.125 percent. The council approved the resolution to apply for the loan.

Nissen presented the first reading of ordinance 279 to rezone lot 2, block 3 in Gateway Park Addition from rural service district to general business commercial district. The plat has been filed with the county.

The council approved the second reading of ordinance 278 to rezone tract 1, tract 1A, tract 4 and lot 2, block 6 in Bakker Landing first addition from agriculture to planned development district and amending the official zoning map of the city of Tea. Nissen said there will be a conditional use permit hearing at the next meeting.

The council approved the second readings for the extensions of the acceptance of franchise agreements with Vast Broadband and Midcontinent Communications.

They also approved the site plan for Nielson Construction for tracts 28-32 in the Landmark Industrial Park.