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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-07 PACKET 04.T.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM #/ DATE 4/7/10 PREPARED BY Community Development Howard Blin ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST 1. Consider adopting an amendment to the Sign Ordinance regulations to allow static color images and text on electronic readerboards and to prohibit a vehicle from being used as the base for a sign. 2. Consider authorizing the publication of this ordinance amendment by title and summary. STAFF RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt the sign ordinance amendment. 2. Adopt the summary resolution. ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION DATE ® PLANNING 3/22/10 ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ PUBLIC WORKS ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY El REVIEWED APPROVED DENIED ❑ ® ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ® MEMO /LETTER: Memo from John McCool dated 3/24/10 ® RESOLUTION: Draft - Ordinance Summary ® ORDINANCE: Draft ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: ® OTHER: Excerpt from unapproved 3/22/10 Planning Commission minutes ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS City Administrator } at6 COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE MINNESOTA TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator FROM: John McCool, Senior Planner DATE: March 24, 2010 RE: Dynamic Signs — Proposed Sign Ordinance Amendment 4 The City has initiated an amendment to the City Sign Ordinance to allow static color images on dynamic signs, commonly known as electronic readerboards. Planning Commission Review The Planning Commission held a public hearing at their regular meeting on March 22, 2010. No public comments were received. They recognized that the 24 square foot size limitation is com- mon and asked if the current ordinance included regulations for maintenance and repair of signs. City ordinance does require that all signs be maintained in proper condition or removed if they are not repaired and /or are unsightly. The Planning Commission unanimously (7 -to -0 vote) recommended approval of the proposed ordinance. A copy of the draft ordinance amendments as recommended by the Planning Commission and an excerpt from the Planning Commission's unapproved minutes are attached. Background In December 2008, the Linn Companies was granted a conditional use permit (CUP) to redeve- lop the BP gas station site on the corner of Jamaica Avenue and East Point Douglas Road. At that time, the applicant proposed to remove the existing high -rise pylon sign and install a monu- ment sign that included an electronic readerboard sign. This request led to a sign ordinance amendment which allowed electronic readerboards. The new ordinance limited these signs to a single color and prohibited text changes more often than once every four hours. Linn Companies has requested that the sign ordinance be amended to allow static color images in addition to messages on electronic readerboards. Planning Considerations An ordinance amendment was drafted that will allow colored static images versus single color copy on a contrasting background. A comparison of the current and proposed electronic reader - board regulations are summarized below: Honorable Mayor, City Council, and Ryan Schroeder Sign Ordinance Amendment — Dynamic Signs March 25, 2010 Page 2 of 3 The proposed changes will allow static color images on wall and monument signs. New elec- tronic readerboard signs mounted on larger pylon signs and billboards are still prohibited within the community. Attached is an example of an electronic readerboard sign that is allowed under the current regulations and examples of a color static images that would be allowed if the pro- posed sign ordinance amendment is approved. CURRENT ORDINANCE PROPOSED CHANGES • Wall or monument signs. Wall or monument signs. • Commercial or industrial districts. Commercial or industrial districts. • Properties with a valid conditional use • Properties with a valid conditional use permit for religious or institutional uses. permit for religious or institutional uses. • Government buildings or sites in any • Government buildings or sites in any Permitted Locations zoning district. zoning district. • On pylon or monument signs for retail • On pylon or monument signs for retail uses required by MN Statutes to uses required by MN Statutes to display prices. display prices. • On temporary signs used for traffic con- • On temporary signs used for traffic con- trol during construction or maintenance trot during construction or maintenance projects. projects. Along principal arterials, on pylon signs, Along principal arterials, on pylon signs, Prohibited Locations window signs greater than three sq. ft., window signs greater than three sq. ft., and portable signs. and portable signs, • 15 feet from minor arterial R/W • 15 feet from minor arterial R/W Setbacks • 20 feet from collector R/W • 20 feet from collector R/W • 25 feet from local R/W • 25 feet from local R/W Display Size 24 square feet per property. 24 square feet per property. Display Height 15 feet from grade to top of sign, 15 feet from grade to top of sign. Display Color Single color copy on contrasting Repealed• background. • Pictures, graphics, logos, and symbols ® Pictures, graphics, logos, ss Display Image are prohibited. and messages tlisplaved must be Time and temperature are prohibited, static i es. • Time and nd t emperature are prohibited. Display Transition Scrolling, appearance of motion, flashing, Scrolling, appearance of motion, flashing, animation, motion video are prohibited. animation, motion video are prohibited. • Four hours minimum between changes a Four hours minimum between in display utilizing a fade transition. changes in display utilizing a fade Display Frequency • Emergency notifications or alerts transition, • Emergency notifications or alerts posted on government or institutional posted on government or institutional signs are exempt. signs are exempt. • Maximum of 5,000 illuminative bright- • Maximum of 5,000 illuminative bright- ness during daylight hours. ness during daylight hours. Display Luminosity • 750 of illuminative brightness between • 750 of illuminative brightness between half hour before sunset and a half -hour half hour before sunset and a half -hour after sunrise. after sunrise. The proposed changes will allow static color images on wall and monument signs. New elec- tronic readerboard signs mounted on larger pylon signs and billboards are still prohibited within the community. Attached is an example of an electronic readerboard sign that is allowed under the current regulations and examples of a color static images that would be allowed if the pro- posed sign ordinance amendment is approved. Honorable Mayor, City Council, and Ryan Schroeder Sign Ordinance Amendment — Dynamic Signs March 25, 2010 Page 3 of 3 e •, • 1. That the City Council adopt an ordinance amendment to the Sign Ordinance regulations to allow static color images and text on electronic readerboards and to prohibit a vehicle, par- ticularly a trailer of a tractor - trailer combination, from being used as the base for a sign; and 2. Adopt a resolution authorizing the publication of this Sign Ordinance amendment by title and summary. r , r > • � . • � r r Current Ordinance Regulations Colored text on a contrasting background. Proposed Ordinance Regulations 1 ORDINANCE NO. XXX 2 3 AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA 4 AMENDING TITLE 9, CHAPTER 8, SECTION 5, SUBSECTION C(5), SUBSECTION F, AND 5 SUBSECTIONS J(6 and 7), REGULATING DYNAMIC SIGNS. 6 7 8 SECTION 1. AMENDMENT "The Code of the City of Cottage Grove, County of 9 Washington, State of Minnesota" shall be amended by amending Title 9, Chapter 8, Section 5, 10 Subsection C(5) to read as follows: 11 12 9- 8- 5 -C(5): Illuminated Signs: 13 5. The display luminosity of dynamic signs shall be limited to five thousand (5,000) NITs 14 (illuminative brightness measurement) during daylight hours, and seven hundred fifty 15 (750) NITs between a half hour before sunset to a half hour after Sunset- sunrise as 16 measured utilizing industry accepted standards. I 18 SECTION 2. AMENDMENT "The Code of the City of Cottage Grove, County of 19 Washington, State of Minnesota" shall be amended by amending Title 9, Chapter 8, Section 5, 20 Subsection F(13); by adding the following: 21 22 9- 8- 5- J(13.): Vehicle Signs: A vehicle may not be used as a sign or as the base for a sign 23 where the primary purpose of the vehicle in that location is its use as a sign. 24 25 26 27 SECTION 3. AMENDMENT "The Code of the City of Cottage Grove, County of 28 Washington, State of Minnesota" shall be amended by amending Title 9, Chapter 8, Section 5, 29 Subsection J(6); Display Color, to read as follows: 30 31 9- 8- 5 -J(6): Display Color: 33 34 SECTION 4. AMENDMENT "The Code of the City of Cottage Grove, County of 35 Washington, State of Minnesota" shall be amended by amending Title 9, Chapter 8, Section 5, 36 Subsection J(7); Display Image, to read as follows: 37 38 9- 8- 5 -J(7): Display Image: 39 7. Display Image: Pictures, graphics, logos, symbols, 40 the on -site dynamic sign must be static Time and ten 41 0,-[,;k;+-,4 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and publication according to law. Passed this day of ,2010. Myron Bailey, Mayor Attest: Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk Published in the South Washington County Bulletin on [Date]. Page 2 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. XXX BY TITLE AND SUMMARY WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Cottage Grove adopted Ordinance No. XXX, which amends City Code Title 9, Chapter 8, Subsection C(5), Subsection F, and Subsections J(6) and J(7), regulating dynamic signs; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section 412.191, subd. 4 allows publication by title and summary in the case of lengthy ordinances; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the following summary would clearly inform the public of the intent and effect of the ordinance. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, County of Washington, State of Minnesota, that the City Clerk shall cause the following summary of Ordinance No. XXX to be published in the official newspaper in lieu of the entire ordinance: Public Notice The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove has adopted Ordinance No. XXX. The ordinance amends City Code Title 9, Chapter 8, Subsections C(5), F, J(6) and J(7), regulating dynamic signs. This amendment will allow display images on dynamic signs to include static pictures, graphics, logos, symbols, images, and messages. The entire text of Ordinance No. XXX is available for inspection at Cottage Grove City Hall during regular business hours and is posted at the Washington County Park Grove Library. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a complete copy of the ordinance is kept in the City Clerk's office at City Hall for public inspection and a copy of the ordinance will be posted on the Public Notice Bulletin Board at City Hall, 7516 — 80th Street South. Passed this 7th day of April 2010. Myron Bailey, Mayor Attest: Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk 6.1 Sign Ordinance Amendment — Case TA10 -006 The City of Cottage Grove has applied for a text amendment to the sign ordinance to allow graphics on dynamic signs. McCool summarized the staff report and recommended approval. Blin explained this amendment request originated with Linn Companies; a year ago when they came in with the reconstruction of the BP station, which they intend to do this year, they asked for elec- tronic readerboard signs and the city amended the ordinance. They have since built a sta- tion in Woodbury where they allow images and they asked if Cottage Grove would also allow that. Rostad asked if readerboard signs are prohibited on pillar signs if the height of the reader - board is five feet off the ground. McCool responded readerboards are only allowed on monument signs, which have a maximum height of 21 feet. The actual readerboard has a height limitation of 15 feet so there could be six feet of additional sign above the reader - board that would be allowed. Rambacher asked if the Public Safety Commission had any feedback on this proposed or- dinance. McCool responded that staff had talked with them and they did not see any issues with the signage, primarily because there would no flashing or scrolling on the signs. The current ordinance also allows limiting the light intensity of the signs. Messick opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Messick closed the public hearing. Rambacher asked about the frequency of changing the images. McCool responded once every four hours. Rostad asked if 24 square feet is a standard size. McCool responded that 24 square feet is very common. Linse asked if the ordinance addresses maintenance of signs. McCool responded yes. Rambacher made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amendment. Rostad seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0 vote).