5.1 HPSR 10-17-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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(FRANKLIN) 320558.3000.800.221.4144•fax 320.558.3004 OUTDOOR ADVERTISING "Outdoor Advertising SELLS for you all day,every day" September 3,2013 To:Elk River City Council and Planning Commission RE: Sign ordinance. Greetings Councilors and Commissioners Recently,in addition to staff's review of the sign ordinance,the Government Relations Committee of the Elk River Chamber of Commerce reviewed the sign ordinance. I believe they have submitted their recommendation to city staff. This letter is in support of the recommended amendments submitted by the Elk River Chamber of Commerce. As a member of the committee reviewing the sign ordinance,there were two main areas of concern. The first was a need for increased business signage on walls and freestanding signs. The second was the lack of billboards along the hwy 169 corridor and limited ability for expansion. This letter will focus on the billboard issue. On August 30th I met with city staff to discuss their review of the sign ordinance. I shared with staff my concern and ideas about the regulations of billboards. Some of the performance standards for billboards are; 1200 `spacing between signs,400 square feet,25' height, allowed only in zoning districts Industrial 1,2 or C3 and located only along hwy 10 or 169. While these performance standards are considered restrictive to a billboard company,they are acceptable. However,in addition to the aforementioned standards is the"principle use"requirement, which requires a billboard to be on its own lot. I ask that you consider eliminating the principle use clause from the ordinance. Billboards do and can coexist within developed areas. As well billboards can coexist on larger parcels with another principle use(such as along hwy 169). As an alternative,to eliminating the principle use,you can add spacing requirements from all buildings and signage to help reduce the density Another concern I discussed is the lack of advertising along the Hwy 169 corridor,and the lack of opportunity for additional billboards. Therefore I ask that you consider allowing billboards in the CRT zoning district,with the elimination of the principle use. There is a lot of open space being staged for potential growth. I believe regulated billboards would fit well within the CRT zoning district and provide a tool for your businesses to promote growth. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to further discussion , t Respectfully, Steven L. Anderson Lease Manager