4.5. PCSR 07-23-2019Request for Action
To Item Number
Planning Commission 4.5
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Public Hearings July 23, 2019 Zack Carlton, Planning Manager
Item Description Reviewed by
Ordinance Amendment Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner
Reviewed by
Non-Residential Signage in Residential
Districts, Case No. OA 19-07
Action Requested
Recommend, by motion, approval of an ordinance amendment to the sign ordinance for non-residential
uses in residential districts.
Background/Discussion
The City Council directed staff to evaluate a possible ordinance amendment to allow non-residential uses
(churches and schools) in residential districts to place a permitted sign across a city street when the lots
are under the same ownership. The change would only allow additional opportunities/locations for
placement of signs, and would not expand the number or size of signs allowed for each use. The current
limit is one freestanding sign up to 96 square feet and 20 feet in height.
The city code currently defines a zoning lot as:
Zoning lot means a parcel of land occupied or used or intended for occupancy or use for a purpose
identified in article VI of this chapter and identified as such for the purposes of zero lot line
development. The parcel shall abut a public street and shall be of sufficient size to satisfy and
meet all dimensional regulations required by article VI of this chapter. The designated zoning lot
may encompass more than one lot of record and shall serve as a unified development site for
purposes of application of standards.
The last sentence allows property owners of adjacent parcels to combine them for zoning purposes
(building permits, signs, use, etc.) and the suggested change below would extend that opportunity to
nonresidential uses in residential districts.
The proposed change to Sec. 30-879 (d) reads:
d) For permitted nonresidential uses, such as churches, synagogues, and schools, in residentially
zoned areas, one on-premises freestanding sign and one wall sign, not to exceed 96 square
feet in total sign area. Where a Zoning Lot has in excess of 1,000 linear feet of combined
street frontage, the total sign area shall not exceed 192 square feet with no more than 96
square feet per sign. Freestanding signage shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
(1) For the purpose of this section, Zoning Lots shall include vacant commonly held parcels
across city streets.
(2) Signs authorized under this section must be removed upon sale of the parcel or when the
Zoning Lot is dedicated to another use.
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Work Sessions
The City Council and the Planning Commission discussed this potential amendment during two separate
work sessions. The PC had concerns regarding the potential proliferation of additional signs and writing
ordinances for one user or group.
The proposed amendment does not allow more or larger signs, but expands opportunities for placement
of already permitted signs. Any increase to the number of signs, sign area, or sign height would need
approval of a variance. The ordinance would apply to all religious and educational uses in residential
zoning districts, not just churches.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
None