7.1 SR 04-15-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Elk - River To City Council Meeting Date April 15, 2024 Item Description Ordinance Amendment: Freestanding Signage Along Highway 169 - City of Elk River Request for Action Item Number 7.1 Prepared By Zack Carlton, Community Development Director Reviewed by: Zack Carlton Cal Portner Tina Allard Action Requested Adopt, by motion, an ordinance increasing the permitted freestanding sign height for certain properties along Highway 169. Background/Discussion The Planning Commission and City Council have held multiple work sessions regarding sign ordinance changes for properties along U.S. Highway 169. These changes are proposed in response to the access and visibility changes resulting from the 169 Redefine project. The project has reduced highway visibility for some businesses and the recommended changes will provide property owners with an opportunity to improve visibility from the highway by installing a taller sign. Staff recommends increasing the maximum sign height to 40 feet above the mainline elevation of Highway 169. The ordinance also includes a maximum overall height of 50 feet as measured from the sign base. In some instances, the elevation at the base of the sign will be higher than the mainline elevation of Highway 169. In these cases, the sign height shall not exceed 40 feet above the highway grade or 30 feet from the base of the sign, whichever is higher. The proposed amendment includes the C-3 Highway Commercial and MU-ERP districts. Unfortunately, many commercial properties along Highway 169 that would benefit from this amendment are in Planned Unit Development (PUD) districts and the city cannot initiate an amendment to those standards. Landowners within each PUD will need to request an amendment to their sign regulations. The new ordinance will be the recommendation for future amendments. Planning Commission The Commission held a public hearing on February 27, 2024. Debbi Rydberg, Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke during the public hearing to express support for the proposed ordinance, noting that consistency along the corridor is important. Commissioners asked questions regarding the application of the ordinance on different parcels and situations, specifically how the changes impact signs for businesses that are now much lower or higher than the highway. The Elk River Vision A avelcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community p p W E H E U A Y engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INMUR 201