11.1. SR 11-19-2007/j
Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION
River
To Item Number
Ci Council 11.1•
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Woxksession November 19, 2007 Sheila Caxtney, Senior Planner
Item Description Reviewed by
Direction on Policy Questions Related to Signage on Public exem Barnhart, Plannin Mana ex
Property Reviewed by
Action Requested
Adoption of policies to be iticoxparated in ordinance form regarding signs on public property.
Background/Discussion
Earlier this May, the City Council directed staff to review the ordinance as it pertained to city functions
and signage on public property. This was a direct result of the Council's review of a request fox Axt Soup
signage on Ciry right-of--way. I'he Planning Commission discussed this at the September workshop. At
the regular meeting on October 10, 2007, the Council directed staff to bring this back to a workshop.
Pxiox to developing an ordinance fox consideration, staff desires clarification on certain policy directions,
including:
L Section (e) discusses placement of signs excluding right-of--way. The Commission raised the
point that a lot of the fundraising and youth sports signs axe typically in the right-of-way and
question if we should allow that, but limit the size of the sign.
Placement of signs in right-of--way (ROW) is common in every city, including Elk
River, from garage sale signs, non profit signs, real estate signs, etc. Allowing some
signs in the ROW based on the content will open up hardships in enforcement.
Recognizing this, staff would suggest that no changes would be made to the
ordinance that would allow any sign in the right-of-way.
2. 1'he other main question that the Commission raised is whether ox not the non-profit
tempoxaxy sign will count against that property's temporary sign count fox the year.
In theon~, the tempoxaxy sign limits were intended to reduce visual clutter, as
identified by the City Council last fall. The non-profit signs may add to this clutter.
3. What level of review does the Council want to have fox signs on city property?
Staff would suggest that the Council does not want to review every temporary sign
on public property. There are, however, several events throughout the year that the
Council authorizes community resources ar waivers certain requirements, i.e. horns
Yage 2
in a park, noise, etc. In these situations, the Council could allow temporary signs
associated with that event.
Attachments
Section 30-SGG of the Sign Ordinance
Plannir~ Commission Discussion
The Planning Commission discussed Section 30-86C of the Sign ordinance and suggested the following
changes:
d. 501 (c) (3) be changed tp all non-profit
f. Remove f, they don't want to define a city function because it would be too broad and the city would
be lia61e.
Recommendation
Staff requests direction. With this direction, staff will complete a draft ordinance fox further review by
the Planning Commission and City Council.
Action Motion by Second by _ Vote
Follow Up
§ 30-566
ELK RIVER CODE
Sec. 30-866. District regulations.
The following signs aze allowed in all districts
(1) All signs not requiring permits as set
forth in section 30-860(b).
(2) One on-premises nonilluminated construc-
tion sign not to exceed 64 square feet in
sign area or 15 feet in height. Sign maybe
erected 30 days prior to the beginning of
construction and shall be removed 30 days
following completion of construction. Such
signs shall not be illuminated. A sign
permit is not required for construction
signs.
(3) One on-premises nonilluminated real es-
tate sign per lot or premises not to exceed
six square feet in sign azea for residential
lots and one on-premises nonilluminated
real estate sign per lot or premises not to
exceed 64 square feet in sign area for
commercial lots. Such a sign must be
removed ten days following closing, rental,
or lease.
(4) One on-premises attached nameplate per
occupancy, not to exceed four square feet
in sign area.
(5) Political signs. Political signs aze permit-
ted in all zones. Such signs shall be con-
sistent with state statutes. Political signs
may be placed only on private property
and only with the permission of the prop-
erty owner. Such signs shall not be illu-
minated.
(6) On-premises directionallinformational
signs not to exceed four square feet per
sign in sign area.
(7) One on-premise temporary or portable
sign per premise (property) may be in-
stalled, as allowed by the community de-
velopment director or their designee. Tem-
porary or portable signs are also subject
to the following:
a. Signs may not be displayed for more
than a total of 90 days per calendar
yeaz, per property. A single permit
shall not exceed 30 consecutive days.
b. Signs may not be displayed without
a permit. The permit shaII be affixed
to the sign and be visible. Each per-
mit must indicate the number of
days,..and the dates, the sign is to be
displayed. A fee and deposit at a
level established by ordinance
adopted by the Elk River City Coun-
cil is required. The city will release
deposits followingremoval ofthe sign
according to the permit, and receipt
of a written request to do so.
c. Ma~mum sign size shall be limited
to 48 square feet.
d. Signs must be located on the prop-
erty of the business and the adver-
tising message must only relate to
business conducted on that pre-
mises, except that nonprofit or chaz-
itable organizaticns as defined by
Internal Revenue Code section
501(C)(3) mayhave off-premises signs
for their fundraising activities, pro-
vided that they obtain permission
from the property owner. Nonprofit
organizations shall be limited to three
signs per event and the signs shall
not exceed the number of days al-
lowed in subsection (7)a of this sec-
tion.
e. Signs may not be placed in anyright-
of-way and must be located on an
approved surface; not including fire
lanes and/or circuLition drive lanes.
Approved surfaces include: asphalt,
concrete, class-5, crushed concrete.
f. Only signs for City of Elk River
functions can be placed on City of
Elk River properties.
g. For purposes of this section, City of
Elk River property leased to other
entities shall not be considered City
of Elk River property.
h. Signs must not be unsafe or danger-
ous and must be securely anchored.
(8) No more than one permanent area iden-
tification sign shall be allowed per neigh-
borhood, subdivision, or development. Haw-
Supp. No. 11 CD30:102