2.0 PCSR 09-26-2006City of Elk River Item Number
REQUEST FOR PLANNING COMMISSION 2
ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Worksho Se tember 26, 2006 Chris Leeseber ,Park Planner
Item Description Reviewed by
Review and discuss ro osed lan a e for tem ora si s erem Barnhart, Plannin Mana er
Introduction
At its July 17, 200 meeting, the Elk River City Council instructed staff to compose an ordinance that
prohibits all temporary/portable signs and facilitate a dialogue with the business community.
Attachments
Existing Proposed Language
Proposed Language
Action Requested
Staff is looking for comments from the Planning Commission and the business community.
Planning Commission Action Morton by Second by vote
Follow Up
Case File: OA OG-O6
Page 2
Overview
On July 17, 2006 staff had presented an ordinance amendment that reduced the number of and
duration of temporary signs. Staff had reviewed a few other ordinances of adjoining communities
and our current allowed time frame is one of the longest allowed:
C~ # of# of Davs # of Permits
Elk River 90 days 6 permits
Big Lake 60 days No Limit
Ramsey (42) 7 days @ a time 6 permits
Otsego 21 days No Limit
Maple Grove 10 days 1 permit
Staff had drafted an ordinance addressing the concerns with the temporary signs and includes
changes as listed:
0 30 days per calendar year vs. 90 days currently permitted
0 3 permits per year to a premise vs. 6 permits currently permitted
o Sign must be located on an approved surface vs. 10-feet from property lines
o Only signs for City functions can be placed on City property
The intent of what the temporary signs are to be used for is for grand openings and special events,
not for general advertising. Almost all of the temporary sign permits the City receives are fox sales,
promotions and/or employment opportunities and are rarely for grand openings and special events.
In order to get back to the intent of what temporary signs were intended for, the Elk River City
Council instructed staff to compose an ordinance that would ban temporary signs but would also
allow exceptions for grand openings, special events. They asked that the plan be phased in (begin
January 1, 2007) and to notify the business community to get their input.
Staff drafted an amendment that in summary states that portable (temporary) signs are prohibited.
However, the temporary use of banners for grand openings and special events would be allowed for
a ten consecutive days once a year.
S:\PI.ANNING\Case Files\2006\OA\OA OG-O6 Signs\Wozk Shop Sept 2G.doc
Existing Proposed Language
(7) One on-premises temporary or portable sign per premises, as allowed by the director of
planning or their leis designee for special events, grand openings or holidays. Temporary or portable
signs are also subject to the following:
a. Signs may not be displayed for more than i39 30 days per calendar year.
b. Signs may not be displayed without a permit. Up to sip three permits per year may be issued to a
premise (property bus~ess, not to exceed the number of days allowed in subsection (7)a of this
section. Each permit 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 Cit`~ Council is required. The
deposit, when reduested in writing, is refundable when the sign -f ~~-= ..a.. _~-..~_ ~" __~~__~-.~~=
is removed on time.
c. Maximum sign size shall be limited to:
1. Thirty-two square feet if the adjacent roadway has a posted speed of 44 miles per hour or less; or
2. Sixty-four square feet if the adjacent roadway has a posted speed of 45 miles per hour or more.
d. Signs must be located on property of the business with the special event and the advertising
message must only relate to business conducted on that prerises>except that nonprofit or charitable
organizations as defined by Internal Revenue Code section 501(C)(3) may have off-premises signs for
their fundraising activities, provided that they obtain permission from the property owner. Signs
from nonprofit organizations shall not be counted as one of the three sip permits allowed to the
property owner. Nonprofit organizations shall be limited to three ei signs per event and be
limited to three events per year.
e. Signs may not be placed in a~ tie right-of-way and must be located"on an approved surface;
f. Only signs for City of Elk River functions can be placed on City of Elk River properties.
g, ~ Signs must not be unsafe or dangerous and must be securely anchored.
Proposed Language
(7) Portable (temporary) signs are prohibited. However, the temporary use of banners for
special events, grand openings or holidays is only permitted when the following regulations
axe satisfied:
a) The banner shall require a permit.
b) A fee at a level established by ordinance adopted by the Elk River City Council is
required.
c) The permit for the banner shall be valid for ten (10) consecutive days and shall be
prominently displayed during the period of its validity.
d) Permits shall be available only for banners located on property of the business with
the special event and the message must only relate to business conducted on that
premises.
e) Only one permit per proprietorship or business is allowed per calendar year.
f) Where more than one proprietorship or business uses the same building or premise,
no more than one banner shall be in place at any one time on that premise:
g) Banners or similar devices shall not exceed'40 square feet.
h) Banner shall be affixed to the structure of the business with the special event.
i) Bottom of the banner shall not be closer than 8-feet to grade.