7.1 SR 04-15-2024City of
Elk -
River
To
City Council
Meeting Date
April 15, 2024
Item Description
Ordinance Amendment: Freestanding Signage Along
Highway 169 - City of Elk River
Request for Action
Item Number
7.1
Prepared By
Zack Carlton, Community Development Director
Reviewed by:
Zack Carlton
Cal Portner
Tina Allard
Action Requested
Adopt, by motion, an ordinance increasing the permitted freestanding sign height for certain properties along
Highway 169.
Background/Discussion
The Planning Commission and City Council have held multiple work sessions regarding sign ordinance changes
for properties along U.S. Highway 169. These changes are proposed in response to the access and visibility
changes resulting from the 169 Redefine project. The project has reduced highway visibility for some
businesses and the recommended changes will provide property owners with an opportunity to improve
visibility from the highway by installing a taller sign.
Staff recommends increasing the maximum sign height to 40 feet above the mainline elevation of Highway 169.
The ordinance also includes a maximum overall height of 50 feet as measured from the sign base. In some
instances, the elevation at the base of the sign will be higher than the mainline elevation of Highway 169. In
these cases, the sign height shall not exceed 40 feet above the highway grade or 30 feet from the base of the
sign, whichever is higher. The proposed amendment includes the C-3 Highway Commercial and MU-ERP
districts.
Unfortunately, many commercial properties along Highway 169 that would benefit from this amendment are
in Planned Unit Development (PUD) districts and the city cannot initiate an amendment to those standards.
Landowners within each PUD will need to request an amendment to their sign regulations. The new
ordinance will be the recommendation for future amendments.
Planning Commission
The Commission held a public hearing on February 27, 2024. Debbi Rydberg, Elk River Area Chamber of
Commerce, spoke during the public hearing to express support for the proposed ordinance, noting that
consistency along the corridor is important.
Commissioners asked questions regarding the application of the ordinance on different parcels and situations,
specifically how the changes impact signs for businesses that are now much lower or higher than the highway.
The Elk River Vision
A avelcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community p p W E H E U A Y
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INMUR 201
The Commission directed staff to review the impacts of grade along the corridor and provide an analysis to
improve understanding of the impacts along the corridor.
The greatest impact on visibility occurs around the interchanges at Main St./Hwy 169 and 193rd/Hwy 169. In
these locations, adjacent commercial properties are 20 feet or more below the grade of Highway 169. Under
the current ordinance, signs in these locations could be 50 feet tall, placing them approximately 30 feet above
the highway grade, the current height limit.
The Commission also discussed the nighttime impacts of the lights on taller signs. Staff drove the periphery of
the 169 Redefine project after dark, specifically the residential neighborhoods, observing the visibility of
freestanding signs and their lighting impacts. Generally, lights from existing freestanding signs are lost in a sea
of other light sources from streetlights, parking lot lights, traffic lights, freeway lights, wall signage, covered
canopy lights, and general building lighting inside and out. Many of the residential areas on the west side of
Highway 169 have mature trees screening the light from the commercial corridor and, at times, it was difficult
to locate the brighter freestanding signs from these neighborhoods. While lighting from taller signs is a
concern, with the modest increase in height proposed by staff, the signs will generally blend into the abundant
light pollution already in these commercial areas.
Finally, as a note regarding the recommended height limit of 40 feet above the highway grade, staff received a
call from a recent applicant, noting that the height of the existing McDonald's sign was 50 feet tall. The staff
then measured the height of the existing Burger King sign and found that their sign was also approximately 50
feet tall. While the recommendation from staff is an increase of 10 feet over the current regulation, the 40-
foot limit is still shorter than some of the existing signs along the corridor.
The Planning Commission reviewed the additional information during their March 26, 2024, Regular Meeting
and unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance as drafted.
Financial Impact
None
Mission/Policy/Goal
Supports the growth and development of the business community.
Agile, responding to the changing needs of the city.
Attachments
I. Sign Elevation Exhibit
2. Highway Elevation Exhibits
3. Ordinance Amendment Document
4. Presentation to City Council
Page 143 of 201
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Page 146 of 201
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Page 148 of 201
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Ordinance 24 -
to be removed
Underlines to be added
An Ordinance Amending Sections 30-871, C-3 highway commercial district and 30-
881 MU-ERP mixed use Elk River Plaza district, of the City of Elk River, Minnesota,
City Code
The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. That � 30-871 (b) (2), C-3 Highway Commercial District of the City of Elk River
Code of Ordinances shall be amended to read as follows:
(b) Permanent signs.
(1) mall signs. Total wall sign area not to exceed 15 percent of facade area. Wall signs are
permitted on any facade that is not directly adjacent to a residential zone. Businesses in
multi -tenant facilities shall be allowed their proportionate share of permitted wall sign
area. For the purposes of this section a road shall constitute a separation of zones.
(2) One freestanding sign, not to exceed 150 square feet with a maximum height of 30 feet.
One freestanding sign may be permitted for every 300 feet of street frontage measured
along a single street. The frontage shall only include the property in which the principal
use is located on, which the sign is advertising. The additional sign(s) shall be subject to
the size and height limitations of the first allowed freestanding or monument sign and may
be placed no closer than 150 feet to any other freestanding or monument sign.
a. Freestanding signs located on parcels that abut Highway 169 may be constructed to a
maximum height of 40 feet as measured from the nearest point grade of the main
line of Highway 169,12rovided the sign meets all other criteria of this ordinance. A
parcel which, but for the location of an intervening frontage road between said
parcel and the freeway, shall be deemed to abut the highway. For all such parcels, the
sign may only be located in the yard which directly abuts the highway or frontage
road as applicable.
1. In locations where the grade at the base of the sign is lower than the
elevation of the adjacent Highway 169, the sign height shall not exceed 50-
feet in total height or higher than 40-feet above Highway 169.
2. In locations where the grade at the base of the sign is higher than 10-feet
above the elevation of the adjacent Highway 169, the sign height shall be
limited to 30-feet.
Last Updated January 2023
POWERED a
NAWREI
Page 149 of 201
to be removed
Underlines to be added
3. In locations where the grade at the base of the sign is lower than 10-feet
above the elevation of the adjacent Highway 169, the sign height shall not
exceed 40-feet above Highway 169.
SECTION 2. That § 30-881 (a) (2) (b), Section 2 Title goes here of the City of Elk River Code of
Ordinances shall be amended to read as follows:
(a) Signage.
(1) Temporary signs as permitted in section 30-851 et seq.
(2) Permanent signs.
a. Wall signs. Total wall sign area not to exceed 15 percent of facade area. Wall signs are
permitted on any facade that is not directly adjacent to a residential zone. Businesses in
multi -tenant facilities shall be allowed their proportionate share of permitted wall sign
area. For the purposes of this section a road shall constitute a separation of zones.
b. One freestanding sign, not to exceed 100 square feet along a collector street or 150 feet
along an arterial street. Max height of ten feet along a collector street or 30 feet along an
arterial street.
1. Freestanding sins located on parcels that abut Highwav 169 may be
Last Updated January 2023
constructed to a maximum height of 40 feet as measured from the nearest
point grade of the main line of Highway 169,12rovided the sign meets all
other criteria of this ordinance. A parcel which, but for the location of an
intervening frontage road between said parcel and the freeway, shall be
deemed to abut the highway. For all such parcels, the sign may only be
located in the yard which directly abuts the highway or frontage road as
applicable.
a. In locations where the grade at the base of the sign is lower than the
elevation of the adjacent Highway 169, the sign height shall not
exceed 50-feet in total height or higher than 40-feet above Highway
169.
b. In locations where the grade at the base of the sign is higher than 10-
feet above the elevation of the adjacent Highway 169, the sign height
shall be limited to 30-feet.
C. In locations where the grade at the base of the sign is lower than 10-
feet above the elevation of the adjacent Highway 169, the sign height
shall not exceed 40-feet above Highway 169.
PVUfEHEU 9Y
NA URE
Page 150 of 201
to be removed
Underlines to be added
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect upon adoption and be published as provided by
law.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River this 15th day of April, 2024.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Last Updated January 2023
PVUfEHEU 9Y
NA URE
Page 151 of 201
City of Elk River
Ordinance Amendment
Highway 169 Signage
Page 152 of 201
Background
■ Amendment supporting increased sign heights for C3
and MU-ERP properties along Hwy 169
■ Response to visual impacts - Hwy 169
■ Staff recommend increasing sign height to 40-feet
above the adjacent main line highway grade
■ Supported by industry research (55-MPH corridor)
■ Consistent with McDonalds sign PUD amendment
■ Consistent with Holiday Gas variance
Page 154 of
Background
■ Additional height permitted for businesses below
elevation of the highway
■ PUD signs and PUD development signs amended by
owners
Page 155 of 201
Proposed Ordinance (C3 and MU-ERP)
a. Freestanding signs located on parcels that abut Highway 169 may be
constructed to a maximum height of 40 feet as measured from the nearest
point grade of the main line of Highway 169, provided the sign meets all other
criteria of this ordinance. A parcel which, but for the location of an intervening
frontage road between said parcel and the freeway, shall be deemed to abut
the highway. For all such parcels, the sign may only be located in the yard
which directly abuts the highway or frontage road as applicable.
1. In locations where the grade at the base of the sign is lower than the
elevation of the adjacent Highway 169, the sign height shall not exceed 50-
feet in total height or higher than 40-feet above Highway 169.
2. In locations where the grade at the base of the sign is higher than 10-
feet above the elevation of the adjacent Highway 169, the sign height shall
be limited to 30- feet.
3. In locations where the grade at the base of the sign is lower than 10-feet
above the elevation of the adjacent Highway 169, the sign height shall not
exceed 40-feet above Highway 169.
Page 156 of 201
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Page 157 of 201
Planning Commission and Feedback
■ The Chamber spoke during PH in support of the OA
■ Staff also presented draft regulations to business
group in partnership with chamber
■ McDonald's representative contacted city to let us know
existing sign is 50-feet tall
■ PC asked staff to review elevations along highway and
lighting impacts
■ Unanimously recommended approval during March 26
meeting.
Iwo --
Page 158 of 201
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Action Requested
■ Adopt, by motion, an ordinance increasing the permitted
freestanding sign heigh for businesses along Highway
169
Page 163 of 201
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Page 164 of 201