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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05(N) - Ordinance Amending Sec. 10-789 of Prior Lake City Code Related to Election Signs Report ITEM: 5N CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: March 10, 2026 PREPARED BY: Jake Skluzacek, Planner PRESENTED BY: Casey McCabe, Community Development Director AGENDA ITEM: Ordinance Amending Section 10-789 of Prior Lake City Code Related to Election Signs RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approval of an Ordinance amending Section 10-789 (g) of the Prior Lake City Code. BACKGROUND: Staff have identified a section of the zoning code related to Election Sign conditions which resulted in numerous complaints to code enforcement staff during the 2025 election season and proved difficult to enforce. The term "Election Sign" is defined by Prior Lake City Code as a temporary sign promoting the candidacy of a person running for governmental office or promoting an issue to be voted on at a governmental election. Section 10-789(g) lists the conditions associated with permitting Election Signs in the City including a requirement that election signs be placed on private property and prohibiting Election Signs from being located within five (5) feet of all property lines. This setback requirement led to several complaints this past election season for signs placed on private property where the complainant did not feel they met the five-foot setback requirement. In most cases, city staff does not have the ability to locate property lines to verify whether the sign meets the five foot setback requirement; further, staff does not feel it is an appropriate use of time and resources to investigate election signs on private property to ultimately have the sign moved a few feet if it is found to be in violation of city code requirements. Staff are recommending a City Code update to remove the 5-foot setback condition in its entirety. If approved, election signs would still be required to be located on private property; however, there would no longer be a setback requirement from property lines. Section 10-932(i) (Policy for Amendments) states recommendations of the planning commission and final determinations of the city council shall be supported by findings addressing the relationship of the proposed amendment to the following policies: In the case of amendments to the text of the Zoning Code:  There is a public need for the amendments, or  The amendments will accomplish one or more of the purposes of the Zoning Code, the Comprehensive Plan or other adopted plans or policies of the City, or  The adoption of the amendments is consistent with State and/or federal requirements. City of Prior Lake | 4646 Dakota Street SE | Prior Lake MN 55372 Item 5N Page | 2 In staff’s opinion, the proposed amendments are consistent with State requirements and will help accomplish the following findings and purpose of the Zoning Code:  Provide effective administration of this chapter and any future amendments to this chapter and prescribe penalties for the violation of its requirements.  Establish a continuing system of review of this chapter to ensure it will be amended to meet changing needs of the city and advances in science and technology. Conclusion The Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the proposed amendments on February 2, 2026, and on a vote of 5-0, recommended the city council approve the amendments as proposed. FINANCIAL IMPACT: No financial impact is anticipated as a result of this action. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Motion and a second as part of the consent agenda to approve the ordinance amending Section 10-789 (g) of the Prior Lake City Code related to election signs. 2. Motion and second to remove this item from the consent agenda for separate discussion. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Ordinance Amending Sec. 10-789 (g) 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 CITY OF PRIOR LAKE ORDINANCE NO. 126-___ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE SECTION 10-789 (g), ELECTION SIGNS The City Council of the City of Prior Lake, Minnesota, ordains: Section 1. City Code Article V. – Performance Standards, Division 9. Signs, Section 10-789 (g) Election signs is hereby amended by deleting the following: Sec. 10-789. – Allowed signs; no sign permit required. g. Election signs. (1) Any election signs pertinent to Minn. Stats. § 211B.045 shall be allowed on private property with the express consent of the owner or occupant of such property. In a state general election year, such signs may not be posted more than 46 days before the date of the election and must be removed by those responsible for the erection of the sign or the property owner within ten days following the state general election. Such signs shall be located at least five feet from all property lines. (2) Election signs for elections held at other times than a state general election year shall be located on private property and at least five feet from all property lines. Section 2. Summary approved. The City Council hereby determines that the text of the summary marked "Official Summary of Ordinance No. 126-___” a copy of which is attached hereto clearly informs the public of the intent and effect of the ordinance. The City Council further determines that publication of the title and such summary will clearly inform the public of the intent and effect of the ordinance. Section 3. Filing. A copy of the ordinance shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk. This copy shall be available for inspection by any person during regular office hours. Section 4. Publication. The City Clerk shall publish the title of this ordinance and the official summary in conformance with State Statute and City Code requirements with notice that a printed copy of the ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular office hours at the Office of the City Clerk. Section 5. Effective date. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and the publication of its title and the official summary. Passed by the City Council of the City of Prior Lake this 10th day of March 2026. ATTEST: _________________________ __________________________ Jason Wedel, City Manager Kirt Briggs, Mayor Page 2 of 2 Official Summary of Ordinance No. 126-___ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE SECTION 10-789 (g), ELECTION SIGNS The following is the official summary of Ordinance No. 126-___ passed by the City Council of Prior Lake on March 10, 2026. Prior Lake City Code Sec. 10-789. (g.) Election signs was amended to delete language requiring election signs to be located at least five feet from all property lines. A printed copy of the ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular office hours in the Office of the City Clerk at Prior Lake City Hall, 4646 Dakota Street SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372.