3.1 PC MIN 11-12-2013 DRAFT - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 November 12,2013 Motion carried 4-1. Commissioner Keller opposed. 4.4 Request by City of Elk River for an Ordinance Amendment to the City's Land Use Regulations Relating to Signs, Case No. OA 13-02 — Public Hearing The staff report was presented by Zack Carlton. He stated that the proposed ordinance was drafted to balance the needs of the business community with the goals of the city. He reviewed the recommended changes since last month's meeting as follows: • Use 10% of facade area as the limiting factor for wall signs. • Maintain window signs at 50% of individual window area,but allow vacant commercial spaces to cover 100% of their window areas. • Increase the temporary sign size limit from 48 to 56 square feet, continue enforcing all temporary signs with a permit, and continue to limit display time to 90 days per year. • Continue prohibiting cabinet signs in the downtown district. • Increase the number of portable signs in the downtown district from one total, to one per public entrance. • Permit monument style signs in the downtown district with the following limitations: one per multi-tenant facility,maximum height of 10 feet,maximum sign area of 40 square feet, and a setback of 15 feet from the property line. • Continue to prohibit billboards in the CRT and maintain the principle use clause. • Increase billboard height from 25 to 35 feet and measure height from nearest roadway grade. Vice Chair Westberg opened the public hearing. Debbie Ryberg,Elk River Chamber of Commerce—thanked staff for their work on the ordinance and stated the overall changes were good. She stated that free standing sign limit is too small to be seen from Highway 10. Ms. Ryberg also stated that billboard signs should be allowed in the CRT zoning. She stated that the sign regulations should be made available in a brochure so that the average business owner can understand them. Fred McCoy,McCoy's Pub—asked why it has taken this long to get nowhere. He stated that the Heritage Preservation Commission supported the business owners' suggestions for the sign ordinance. He asked that the Planning Commission support them, as well. Steve Anderson, Franklin Outdoor Advertising—discussed allowing billboards in the CRT zoning district and the principle use restriction. He did not feel it would be an issue to work with contractors and property owners if the property were to be developed. He stated it was important for business owners to use billboards to invite people to their businesses.