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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9C - Institutional Signs Ord. I .. MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: REVIEWED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MARCH 20, 2000 9C JENNITOV~PLANNER DON RYE, PLANNING DIRECTOR CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE OO-XX APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE RELATING TO INSTITUTIONAL SIGNS (Case File 00-007) History: The City CoUIicil adopted a new Zoning Ordinance) effective May 1) 1999. Prior to this) illuminated signs were permitted within residential zoning districts subject to a conditional sign permit. The new ordinance prohibits illuminated signs within residential zoning districts. Faith Evangelical Church has requested this ordinance amendment to allow illuminated signs within residential zoning districts and to increase the height from 6 feet to 8 feet for such signs. The applicant is also requesting the City Council to waive the application fee, as the proposed amendment will affect many other properties within the city. Current Circumstances: Institutional signs and illuminated signs are differentiated within the ordinance. Illuminated signs are permitted only within Commercial and Industrial Use Districts and in conjunction with permitted uses ofthe lake. Institutional signs are defined as signs which identify the name and other characteristics of a public or semi-public institution on the property where the sign is located. A public or semi-public use could include schools, public buildings, libraries, religious institutions, parks, etc. Section 1107.808 of the Zoning Ordinance regulates institutional signs as follows: "Institutional Signs: Freestanding or wall institutional signs are permitted in any Use District provided that the total sign area does not exceed 75 square feet. Freestanding signs may be no higher than 6 feet above the center line grade ofthe adjacent street." The applicant is requesting the ordinance be changed to read as follows: 1:\00files\00ordamd\zoning\OO-007\OO-0007cc,doc Page 1 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E" Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER p ... .. ' - "~--'-".... -- - ---,'-'~- ".-- .-,,',--..-. -._~...__._+--:-,-._..,.~~.,-.,.'.."...- ._--~-.,-- ..._~ .-~.. -.- 1107.808" Institutional Signs: Freestanding or wall institutional signs are permitted in any Use District provided that the total sign area does not exceed 75 square feet. Freestanding signs may be no higher than 6 feet above the center line grade of the adjacent street; the exception being that along Highway 13, the sign may not exceed 8 feet above the grade at the base of the signs. Signs along the route of Highway 13 may be lighted by a steady light source without causing glare for motorists, pedestrians, or neighboring property." Staff received verbal comments from MnDOT and the Scott County highway department. Their concerns were regarding the specification of Hwy 13 and the glare to motorists. City staff shares their concerns and suggests allowing internally illuminated institutional signs on all collector and arterial streets as designated in the Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, religious uses must be located on a collector or arterial street as required in the Zoning Ordinance within the R-l uses. This would be consistent with the access requirement. Furthermore, institutional uses include schools and most of the schools within the City are located within R-l Zoning District with access to a collector or arterial street. With respect to height, staff feels an amendment increasing the allowable height is not warranted. Rather a clarification of the laIiguage to specify a maximum height of 6 feet from the adjacent grade or centerline of the adjacent road, whichever is higher. In this case, if the sign location were on a hill, the grade of the hill would be the determining grade. If the sign location were below the grade of the adjacent road, the height of the sign would be determined by the grade ofthe adjacent road, so as to be visible. The Planning Commission considered this request at a public hearing on February 24, 2000. The Planning Commission recommended approval of an amendment to allow internally illuminated signs facing arterial streets. The Commission also recommended an amendment to allow signs a maximum of 6 feet in height as measured from the adjacent grade or centerline of the adjacent road, whichever is greater. A draft copy of the minutes is attached to this report. The Issues: The City Council must make a decision whether to amend the ordinance based on the following criteria: . There is a public need for the amendment; or . The amendment will accomplish one or more of the purposes of the Zoning Ordinance, the Comprehensive Plan or other adopted plans or policies of the City; or 1:\00files\00ordamd\zoning\00-007\00-0007cc,doc Page 2 ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: ( REVIEWED BY: . The adoption of the amendment is consistent with State and/or federal requirements. The Planning Commission and staff feel there is a public need for an amendment to allow illuminated institutional signs. Illuminated signs would identify public and semi-public gathering sites after sunset. Staff recommended a Zoning Ordinance amendment to allow for internally illuminated institutional signs on both arterial (i.e. TB 13; ~ 42, CR ~ etc.) and collector (Le. Carriage Hills Pkwy, fish "'--Point R.Oacr,l:5UiUth Avenue, etc.) streets and to clarify the maximum height as measured from the adjacent grade or centerline of adjacent road, whichever is greater. However, the Planning Commission modified staffs recommendation to allow illuminated signs only on arterial roads. The specific language is included in the attached ordinance. The applicant is also requesting the City Council waive the application fee. It has been past practice of the City Council not to waive development/zoning fees in order to be consistent with all residents, businesses, and organizations. Conclusion: Both the Planning Commission and the staff recommend approval of this amendment. The City Council has three alternatives: I. Adopt Ordinance DO-XX approving the proposed amendment as recommended. 2. Deny Ordinance OO-XX. 3. Defer this item and provide staffwith specific direction. The staff recommends Alternative #1. A motion and second to adopt Ordinance OO-XX approving the amendment as recommended by the Planning Commissi . Approval ofthis ordinance requires a 4/5 vote of the Council. A tion and second relating to the requested waived fe hould b ad the Council desires. 1 :\OOfiles\OOordarnd\zoning\00-007\OO-o007 cc,doc Page 3 ,..- ~ T . : CITY OF PRIOR LAKE ORDINANCE NO. 00- XX AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTioNjio7~808(jjffHE PRIOR. LAKE CITY . . CODE The City Council of the CityofPrio:r Lake does hereby ordain that: c< Section 1107.808 of the Prior Lake City Codei~ amended as follows: ,",-C-"! ~... Institutional Si~ns: Freestanding or wall institutional signs are permitted in any Use District . provided that the total sign area does not exceed 75 square feet. Internally' illuminated signs are permitted if the sign is located so itfaces an arterial road as identified in the Comprehensive Land UsePlan. Freestanding signs may he no higher than 6 feet above the adjacent grade 'Or center line grade ofthe adjacent street. whichever is higher. This ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and publication. Passed by the City Council oftheCity of Prior Lake this 20th day of March, 2000. ATTEST: City Manager Mayor Published in the Prior Lake American. on the 25th day of March. 2000. Drafted By: City of Prior Lake Planning Department 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue Prior Lake, MN 55372 f:\dept\planning\OOfiles\OOordaltld\zoning\OO-OO7\draftord,doc .... -. _ PAGEl 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., PriorLake, Minnesota 55372~1714 /Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL oPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER '. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church 16840 Highway 13 South Prior Lake, MN 55372 '.. ..._-:. ~ p... r2. =--.'" 0 \\.!J 05 ~~ .' ,.- ~ ---? I ~~~; -' \ 5 I~ 'U c~,-c~_.-, - - . JAN31a11) ~ January 27,2000 city of Prior Lake 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue SE Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 RE: Amendment to Sign Ordinance 1107.808 Dear Prior Lake, /l' " The objective of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation (Faith) is to replace our old sign with a new sign that would blend into the surrounding area, but yet be noticeable and readable without slowing traffic along Highway 13. The sign that we would like to install would be 7 1/2 feet above grade, 72 square feet of sign area, and illuminated internally to avoid glare. To do this, an amendment to the current Zoning Ordinance on institutional signs would need to be granted to section: 1107.808. Which reads, "Institutional Signs: Freestanding or wall institutional signs are permitted in any Use District provided that the total sign area does not exceed 75 square feet. Freestanding signs may be no higher than 6 feet above the center line grade of the adjacent streef'. Due to the right-of.way set-backs and the elevation of the church property, the current zoning would only allow for a sign that would be 2 to 3 feet tall and not very vist"ble at 45 mph. Also, being that Faith is in a residential zoning does not allow for any type of lighting. Faith would like special consideration to be made to allow for a sign not to exceed 8 feet tall and to be internally illuminated. Faith justifies this request because of our location along highway 13, being directly across the street from McDonalds, County Market, Fairview Clinic, and we would be one of four signs out of the thirty-seven signs along highway' 13 that would follow these guidelines. Even though most of these signs are commercial signs, in commercial zoning, we believe it would be a poor reflection on Faith to have anything . less then what is common through this route in Prior Lake. What Faith is allowed to put in for sign will be a first impression for Prior Lake and Faith for anyone coming into town from the south. To have a purposeful sign blending with the rest of Highway 13 Faith would like this amended to ordinance 1107.808: "Institutional Signs: Freestanding or wall institutional signs are permitted in any Use District provided that the total sign area does not exceed 75 square feet. Freestanding signs may be no higher than 6 feet above the center line grade of the adjacent street; the exception being that along Highway 13, the sign may not exceed 8 feet above the grade at the base of the sign. Signs along the route of Highway 13 may be lighted by a steady light source without causing glare for motorists, pedestrians, or neighboring property." Since we are not asking for anything unique, or out of the ordinary from any other sign, Faith would also like to plead with the city to waive the $350.00 fee. This change could benefit other institutions along Highway city to waive the $350.00 fee. This change could benefit other institutions along Highway 13, plus we are a non-profit religious origination. Faith has been in the same location and part of the community for over twenty-five years now, and even some long term residents of Prior lake are not aware that there is even church across from McDonalds and County Market. We do.not want to necessarily stand- out, but we do want to be noticed. 4rely~~~ COrey McDonald Faith Ev. Lutheran Church Treasurer! Sign Committee Chairman . ....................T.. ............._.... -.-.-.......-....-.--.. .......-~. ~ riIi:l ~ 00 ~ 00 z o ~ ~ u ~ ~ ~ r--OO .00 ~< ~O p c~ ~z ~o ~ ~ u ~ ~ ~ riIi:l 00 o ~ o ~ ~ ~~ ~ (; J {!~ ~ ~ '0 :e j~~iU!P-~i, 1~~lool ~. o o o ~o o o o o c'o ~ -' .r '*" r-.. -C/ :8 0... ~:S Comprehensive Plan 2020 Chapter 4 Page 142 Planning Commission Minutes Date MOTION BY VONHOF, SECOND BY STAMSON, TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO MARCH 13, 2000. Vote taken indicated ayes by all. MOTION CARRIED. ~ B. Case #00-007 Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church is requesting an - ~ ::;::.dment to Section 11 07.808 of the Zoning Ordinance relating ::r~onal ,$ Planner Jenni Tovar presented the staffreport dated February 28,,2080, on. Ie in the office ofthe Planning Department. ~qr{~~,~ .S~~-<)~~{~~ The applicant, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, is requ.esting an amendment td-rth~?)j Zoning Ordinance to allow institutional signs greater th~ix (6)Jeet in height anqJo" allow for illuminated signs within residential zoning,cli~.cts. Wl1.tutional signs and illuminated signs are differentiated within the ordin3.nc~iW~te~\igns are permitted only within Commercial and Industrial Use Districts. Instififii1~al signs are defined as signs which identify the name and other c.~1!fclcteristics of a piililia~or semi-public institution on the property where the sign~~~~~. A public o~tff~public use could include schools, public buildings, libraries~eligr()~titutions, .p~ks, etc. Comments from Scott CountyJIigh.way Dep~.tr.:,d MnoOT were regarding the ,'. .,,"~-~o:!.,,_-,~, .....~ "'7 specificati?n ofHwy 13=J;the?gl~~to motori~~1' Staff recommended th~founcil ap&6ve the amepartent as proposed, or with changes .i~-'""<,, J.y specified by the Plaimirigl~~~~1~R~~~ comments,!~~;m;:!~~~~Ublicf~:~~ " . A;;P;.;.>'-'-">>;\)<~1.~. ~(I~'Sf;)' Corey~6Donald, onbeh~f of Faith-'Evangelical Lutheran Church Sign Committee, said theyw5mld like to see an8 'foot limit. The speed limit is 45 mph on Highway 13 and it is impoitant,Jo have a safe sign with good visibility. Winter months with snow would make it hardertose,e the sign arid therefore McDonald felt it should be raised 1 1/2 to 2 feet. Mr. McDonaldpresente.dthe proposed sign. The total sign would be 7 1/2 feetin height. He also mentioiled:,a:stop light will be put in Five Hawks Avenue and Highway 13 in 2004 as added di~tractions. They felt it was important to blend in with the area McDonald also noted the number of signs along Highway 13. Karl Tremmel (representing the Church) would like to have a sign that is easy to read, catch the information of the Church services without having to slow down. It is a very nice looking sign and would blend in with the surrounding ar~a. They do not see any public distraction. It would be a good impression for Prior Lake coming from the south. Mike Nelson (representing the Church) explained they spent a lot of time on the Church Counsel and meetings trying get a nice looking sign to fit in the ordinances. f:\dept\planning\OOfiles\OOplcomm\OOpcmin\mn022800,doc 2 I .._'-~_._--_.."'....- Planlling Commission Minutes Date The public hearing was closed. Comments from the Commissioners: Criego: . Had no problem with staff's recommendation except the aspect ofthe . Have no problem with the arterial streets. . Feel strongly there should be no illuminated signs on collectors Oli . collectors. The main reason for the ordinance was to reduce lar areas. . As it relates to Highway 13, a lot of advertising goes o~~~~wmot see a p . . . . . . . . Stamson: . Agreed wijh.Griego that i . nated lights are inappropriate in a residential area. . Ha~if6ft~~ge ofht " '~ . 1~Jf!majority oftli ~~~distric!$ ving any illuminated signs is inappropriate. . .4S'o:mething along the~liPes ofSt. Michael's lights would be more integrated. An 8 't,;P~f6t~:S,ign or larger wo!la be an eye-sore. . Agr~'th Criego ~ arterials.is a good compromise to allow illuminated signs) but not alo g ct rreets. Atwood: . Passed. Cramer: . Agreed with Stamson and Criego that this should pertain to major arterials not collectors. . Height - 6 feet is reasonable. That decision was made prior to my coming on the Commission. There is no basis or public need to increase the height) especially in a residential area considering it is an illuminated sign. f:\dept\planning\OOfiles\OOplcomm\OOpcmin\mn022800.doc 3 Planning Commission Minutes Date . Support staffs recommendation except for it pertaining to arterial roads not collectors. MOTION BY CRIEGO, SECOND BY STAMSON, APPROVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT EXCEPT FOR COLLECTOR STREETS. Vote taken indicated ayes by all. MOTION CARRIED. Rye suggested for clarification purposes, the current ordinance 1 Tovar stated this item will go before the Chy" Cd' ~~~. ,t\ ,:''">~< "'. C. Case #OO-~12 Ea~le ~Vill~s, L~is' requestirtg Rezoning for the property located In SectlOn12;Tl!lWshlp 114~1J1ange 22, Scott County. ~ 'IJ>~ '~~1 'ft\ .: p_~~:j '=t-~.~~~} Pl~ing Coordinator!. e ~ansi~esented th~l'a'ffreport dated February 28,2000, on file In the office of' e , \- Eagle Cree~c, hId an application for a Zone Change for the property IQ(~ated.,aMl1e'nOft~~~uadr'~'intersection of Five Hawks ~venue and Pno~fd Street, dIr~)porth ~ftIve Hawks Sch~o1. The .reques~ IS to. rezo~e t~e pr ... from the PUD 12 Dlstiicl 10 the R-4 (lhgh DensIty Re$ldenbal) DIstrict.. a history 0 .' e property and zoning. Staff recomm ,.ed, proval ofthe request. The proposed RA district is consistent with the Comprehen~lan Land Use designation. . Creigo questioned the most recent PUD number of units. Kansier thought it might be 60 to 90 units. Comments from the public: David Bell, St. Cloud, from Freedom Development and Consulting said they recently purchased the land from Eagle Creek Villas developers. Bell explained the situation with f:\dept\planning\OOfiles\OOplcomm\OOpcmin\nm022800.doc 4 I -.--..----..-.-.... ..-... --r.....-------.---.....----.