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5. Staff Report-PCMemoSigns8 4 15 (00000002) Memorandum To: Scandia Planning Commission Reference: Sign Guidelines and Regulations Copies To: Kristina Handt, City Administrator Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Project No.: 15745.000 From: Sherri Buss, RLA AICP, Planner Routing: Date: July 21, 2015 The Planning Commission discussed potential updates to the City’s sign ordinance and Architectural Design Guidelines at its meeting on July 7, in response to comments from the Economic Development Authority that some of the City’s sign regulations should be changed to better support community events and local businesses. I have attached two draft documents that respond to the Commission’s recommendations and request for additional information at the July 7 meeting: Ordinance Update The draft ordinance attached includes the whole of Chapter Two, Section 3.13, plus definitions, so the Commission can review all of the existing requirements and proposed changes, plus new definitions. The draft update of the City’s zoning ordinance section related to signs includes the following:  New definitions requested by Planning Commission members and suggested based on the proposed ordinance changes. The definition for Community Events does not include seasonal farmers markets. The Commission should discuss whether listing this for-profit event as a “community event” would mean that other for-profit sales events held in the city could also have banners and temporary signs, and if this is the intent of the ordinance.  Permits signs advertising the sale of agricultural produce grown on the advertiser’s property to be permitted without an administrative permit.  Permits temporary signs for garage or lawn sales without an administrative permit, and with standards that limit the size and duration of the signs.  Standards section notes the zoning districts where the Scandia Architectural Design Guidelines apply  Indicates that animated signs are not permitted  Permits temporary portable signs and banners for community events. Identifies banner size, duration, and zoning districts where Architectural Guidelines apply Sign Regulations Memo Page 2 August 4, 2015 Scandia Planning Commission  Adds abandoned sign requirement  Adds temporary portable signs and banners to signs permitted in the Village, Rural Commercial, and Industrial Districts  Adds a new section on Off-Premises Signs (discussed below) per the Commission’s request to identify options to provide signage for Village Area businesses on local roadways Scandia Architectural Design Guidelines Update A proposed update to the signs section of the Scandia Architectural Design Guidelines is attached, and includes the following based on the Commission’s discussion at the July meeting:  Adds section on appropriate colors for signs in historic areas—this is based on recommendations in other historic district guidelines, and seems compatible with the sign examples recommended in the current Scandia Design Guidelines.  Change to section on monument signage that notes that most signs, but not all, will be viewed from local roadways.  Adds section on signs on State Highways and examples  Revises the section on Temporary Signs, Flags, Banners and Pennants, and includes examples  Updates list of Inappropriate Signs Signs for Village Businesses on State Highways The Commission requested that the Planner look for options for “off-site” signs that could be used to identify and advertise the businesses in the Village Area to travelers on TH 97 and 95. The Planner reviewed ordinances and examples from other communities, including those with historic downtowns and business districts, and found the following:  Types of off-site signage used in other communities generally include directional signs, monument signs, billboards, and pylon signs  Most communities limit billboard and pylon signs to sites along major US Highways and Interstates  There are examples of monument and directional signs with rural or historic character that advertise and direct visitors to business districts and to multiple businesses or sites. Some photos of examples are included in the update to the Design Guidelines, attached.  The City of Saint Paul has adopted special sign districts for many neighborhoods such as St. Anthony Park, that provide for development of a common plan for signage in those areas. Scandia could consider identification of the Village Area for a special sign plan to be developed by the businesses, institutions and others in that area if this approach seems useful.  The Planner adapted the “off-site” sign section of the Forest Lake zoning ordinance as a new section (8) of the Scandia ordinance for discussion. The section provides for up to one off-premises sign each along Highway 95 and 97 to advertise businesses or other uses in the Village Area.