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6.15. SR 03-20-2000'ity of Item # 6.1.5. iver TO: FROM: MEMORANDUM Mayor & City Council Michele McPherso~ctor of Planning DATE: March 2, 2000 SUBJECT: Case Number: OA 00-4 Request by the City of Elk River to Amend Section 900.22.4- Temporary Sign Regulations of the Zoning Code; Public Hearing Request The City of Elk River requests that the Temporary Sign Regulations be amended to: increase in the number of permits issued annually, and increase the number of days temporary signs may be displayed annually. Attachments Ordinance Number 00 - Summary of Other Cities' Regulations Overview In recent months, staff has been more diligent in its enforcement of the current temporary sign regulations. Currently, the ordinance allows issuance of two permits per year, each for 15 days. Some business owners were concerned about the restrictive nature of the current ordinance, especially with the tight labor market or "seasonal" downturns in profitability. The City Council directed staff to research this issue further and propose changes to the ordinance. Analysis Staff reviewed a number of sign ordinances from other communities prior to a discussion of the issue with local business owners, the Chamber of Commerce and the Planning Commission on February 8, 2000 (summary chart attached). Some communities prohibit the use of temporary signs entirely while others allow up to 150 days per year (St. Cloud). 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 Memo to Mayor & City Council/OA 00-4 March 2, 2000 Page 2 At the February 8, 2000 Workshop, discussion focused around the business community's needs for additional signage versus protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Elk River. Specifically, the issue of aesthetics was discussed at great length. The consensus of the group, as indicated in the proposed language was to: o Increase the number of days to 90 per year. Increase the number of permits to six per year, allowing each permit to have a different number of days and whose cumulative total would not exceed 90 days per year. Allow different size signs based on the posted speed of the adjacent roadway. Signs would be either 32 or 64 square feet maximum. Allow more than one sign per lot for multi-tenant buildings provided that the signs are placed a minimum of 100 feet apart. The City Attorney reviewed the proposed changes and had no comments. Planning Commission Action The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council that the ordinance amendment be adopted. Recommendation Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached ordinance language. ORDINANCE - CITY OF ELK RIVER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AMENDING SECTION 900.22.4 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES CASE NO. OA 00-4 The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows: Section 1. Section 900.22.4 of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances shall be amended to read as follows: 4. Regulation of Signs by Zone A. Signs permitted in all Zones - The following signs are allowed in all zones: Ail signs not requiring permits as set forth in paragraph 3(c) of this section. ii. One (1) on-premise temporary combination area identification, construction and real estate sign not to exceed ninety-six (96) square feet in sign area or fifteen (15) feet in height for three (3) years after approval by the City of said project unless an extension is granted by the City Council. Such signs shall not be illuminated. iii. One (1) on-premise non-illuminated real estate sign per lot or premise, not to exceed six (6) square feet in sign area for residential lots. One (1) on premise non-illuminated real estate sign per lot or premise, not to exceed ninety-six (96) square feet in sign area for commercial lots. Such a sign must be removed ten (10) days following closing, rental, or lease. iv. One (1) on-premise attached nameplate per occupancy, not to exceed four (4) square feet in sign area. v. Political signs are permitted in any zone. Such signs shall be consistent with State Statute. Political signs may be placed only on private property and only with the permission of the property owner. Such signs shall not be illuminated. vi. On-premise Directional/Informational signs not to exceed four (4) square feet per sign in sign area. vii. One (1) on-premise temporary or portable sign and/or decoration per premise, as allowed by the Director of Planning or their designee for special events, grand openings or holidays. Temporary or portable signs and/or decorations are also subject to the following: a) May not be displayed for more than ninety (90) days per calendar year. b) May not be displayed without a permit. Up to six permits per year may be issued to a business, not to exceed the number of days allowed in (a) above. Each permit must indicate the number of days the sign is to be displayed. For premises with multiple businesses, signs must be located a minimum of one hundred (100) feet apart. A fifty dollar ($50.00) deposit is required that is refundable if the sign meets all requirements herein and is removed on time. c) Maximum sign size shall be limited to: Thirty-two (32) square feet if the adjacent roadway has a posted speed of 44 mph or less, or Sixty-four (64) square feet if the adjacent roadway has a posted speed of 45 mph our more. d) Must be located on property of business with special event and advertising message must only relate to business conducted on that premise, except that nonprofit or charitable organizations as defined by Internal Revenue Code 501 (C3) may have off-premise signs for their fund raising activities provided that they obtain permission from the property owner. Nonprofit organizations shall be limited to eight (8) signs per event. e) May not be placed in the right-of-way and must meet sign setbacks. f) Must not be unsafe or dangerous. Must be securely anchored. Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect upon publication as provided by law. Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River this __ March, 2000 day of Stephanie Klinzing Mayor Sandra A. Peine City Clerk Temporary Sign Permit Requirements - Other Cities CITY PERMITS/YR DAYS/PERMIT SETBACKS AREA (square (feet) feet) Brooklyn Park Single Tenant 3 10 15 200 Multi Tenant 6 10 15 200 Allow portable and temporary signs under the same permit. Exemption for grand openings (total of 4 weeks) San Bernadino, ? I 30 days CA I Limited to special events like grand openings, parades, holiday sales, charitable events. Salinas, CA I 30 days/year I I Portable Signs not permitted, must be banners or other devices. Champlin, MN 3 10 Savage 3 (CUP) 14 15 40 Plymouth 4 14 Waived 32 Eden Prairie Portable signs not permitted, "Help Wanted" signs not exceeding 32 square feet are permitted for 14 days. Rochester, MN 1 I 14 I I 24 Hilton Head, Portable Signs not permitted. SC Park City Portable Signs not permitted St. Cloud 3 150 days/year 10 40 Eagan No permits 10 days/month 25 required Stillwater Portable Signs not permitted Monticello Annual permit 40 days/year Buffalo 2 15 ¼ minimum 32 yard setback Duluth unlimited 10 2 Roseville* Portable Signs not permitted I I I * Temporary signs include balloons, searchlights, attention-getting devices limited to 12 days per calendar year.