Planning Commission Agenda Packet 12-01-1992AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMMSION
Tuesday, December 1, 1992.7 p.m -
Members: Cindy I:emm, Richard Martie, Jon Bogart, Richard Carlson, Brian
Stumpf
1. Call to order.
2. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held October 7, 1992; the special
meeting held November 4, 1992; and the regular meeting held November 4,
1992.
3. Review city ordinance regulating banners and temporary signs.
4. Adjournment.
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMLSSION
Wednesday, November 4, 1892 - 7 pm.
Members Present: Richard Martie, Jon Bogart, Cindy Lemm, Richard Carlson
Members Absent: None
1. The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairperson, Cindy Lemm, at
7:18 p.m.
A motion was made by Richard Martie and seconded by Richard Carlson to
approve the minutes of the regular meeting held September 1, 1992. Motion
carried unanimously.
3. A question was raised by Planning Commission member, Cindy Lemm, as to
item i2 of the special meeting held September 28, 1992, as follows: Mrs.
Lemm noted that Judy Leming is not a partner in Hillside Partnership. She
is a realtor with Edina Realty. Staff noted that the minutes reflect her
representation and that it is not proper to change the minutes to reflect
reality; however, if the information provided by Leming regarding her status
is not necessary in the minutes, it can simply be deleted.
There being no further questions, a motion was made by Jon Bogart and
seconded by Richard Martie to approve the minutes of the special meeting held
September 28, 1992. Motion carried unanimously.
4. A motion was made by Richard Martio and seconded by Jon Bogart to adjourn
the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Anderson
Zoning Administrator
KU4UTFS
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, November 4,1992 - 6 p.m
Members Present: Richard Martie, Jon Bogart, Cindy Lemm, Richard Carlson
Members Absent: None
The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairperson, Cindy Lemm, at
6:06 p.m.
2. Interview Plannine Commission Member Aonlicants.
The following applicants were interviewed for the vacant Planning Commission
position:
6:00 p.m. Joann Hoerchler
6:15 p.m. Michelle Hoefling
6:30 p.m. Marilyn Frie
6:45 p.m. Brian Stumpf
Each applicant was allotted approximately 15 minutes to answer a series of
standard questions and additional questions asked by Planning Commission
members.
After conducting the four interviews, each Planning Commission member made
a recommendation on a ballot, which was submitted to Assistant
Administrator, Jeff O'Neill. The secret ballot vote results are as follows:
Hoerchler, 0; Hoefling, 3; Frio, 0; Stumpf, 1. O'Neill will present the Planning
Commission recommendation for City Council consideration at the
November 23, 1992, meeting.
3. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Anderson
Zoning Administrator
Planning Commission Agenda - 12/1/92
Review city ordinance regulating banners and temaorary signs. (J.0.)
A. REFERENCE AND BACKGROUND:
Planning Commission is asked to review the existing ordinance regulating
temporary banners and signs and consider calling a public hearing to amend
the present ordinance. This request is in response to concerns brought forward
by Dorothy Ritze, the operator of the Total Mart stores. Please review the
attached memo for more background information regarding this topic.
B. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
Review the matter and take no action.
Under this alternative, the Planning Commission is comfortable with
the ordinance as it now exists. Dorothy Ritze would have to submit an
application for an ordinance amendment in order for the Planning
Commission to consider the matter further.
Under this alternative, Planning Commission is comfortable with the
present ordinance which allows for a total of 20 days per year that a
business is allowed to display a temporary sign.
2. Motion to call for a public hearing on an ordinance amendment which
would allow greater use of temporary signs by providing for more special
events or longer special event periods.
Under this alternative, Planning Commission would be taking the
position that the City needs to maintain control over banners and
temporary signs; however, there is room for extending the period that
banners and temporary signs can be used.
Under this alternative, Planning Commission should establish in detail
how many additional days should be allowed. City staff would then
draft an amendment to the zoning ordinance accordingly. This issue
would then he brought before the Planning Commission at a public
hearing in January.
3. Motion to call for a public hearing on an ordinance amendment that
would allow "full-time use of banners and temporary signs,"
Planning Commission Agenda - 1211/92
Under this alternative, Planning Commission is comfortable with
allowing banners to be used on a regular basis in addition to the
existing signs which are already allowed by ordinance. As noted in the
memo, Dorothy Ritze would like to have a 30 sq ft banner to be allowed
on site at all times.
C. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission select alternative #1 or
alternative #2. As noted in the attached memo, there are no cities that we
know of that allow full-time use of banners in addition to their existing sign
systems except for the City of Coon Rapids, which allows temporary signs on
a very limited basis. Staff would like to emphasize that as nice as promotional
banners may be, once you allow them you have no control. The City cannot
regulate the type of banner, aesthetics, or messages; therefore, allowing a
banner to promote Pepsi that's sold on a weekly special would also allow a
downtown merchant to use a banner to advertise his place of business. It
would also allow all types of print styles and qualities of banners, some of
which could result in visual blight.
Adding signage at a rate of 30 sq ft per property would serve to detract from
the effectiveness of the signs already in existence and, therefore, diminish the
value of the signs presently in place. The sign ordinance should not be
amended because its limitations currently protect individual businesses from
what a neighboring business might do.
Dorothy Ritze also suggested that, as a compromise, perhaps temporary signs
could he displayed for a period of two weeks per month. Although this is a
nice compromise, administration of this restriction would be very difficult, if
not impossible.
D. SUPPORTING. D Tom:
Memo regarding potential amendments to the section of the sign ordinance
relating to banners; Pertinent sections of the ordinance regulating signs.
MEMO
TO: Topic File
1
FROM: Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator' �K C
DATE: November 12, 1992
RE: Potential amendments to the section of the sign ordinance relating to
banners
A meeting was conducted on November 12, 1992, at 9 a.m. Individuals attending
included Rick Pribyl of Tom Thumb; Gary Anderson; Dorothy Ritze of Total Mart;
Tom Holthaus of West Side Market; Steve Grittman, City Planner, and Jeff O'Neill.
Jeff O'Neill reviewed the history behind the reason for calling the meeting. In his
review, he stated that Gary Anderson had been doing routine enforcement of the
banner section of the sign ordinance. In response to City enforcement action, Dorothy
Ritze requested that the City staff review the sign ordinance with her and discuss
possible changes to the ordinance that would allow display of temporary signs and
banners for more than 20 days per year as currently allowed by ordinance. O'Neill
noted that since the first meeting, City staff had conducted research regarding other
city ordinances and discussed the matter with the City Planner.
Steve Grittman of Northwest Associated Consultants noted that the City of
Monticello ordinance is typical with regard to its treatment of temporary signs and
banners. All of the cities that he works with do not allow banners or temporary signs
except by special permit in conjunction with a special event. Grittman noted that
cities maintain this prohibition of temporary signs because allowing them to be
displayed would relinquish all control of banners. He noted as nice as promotional
banners may be, once you allow them, you have no control. The City cannot regulate
the type of banner, aesthetics, message, etc.; therefore, allowing a banner to promote
Pepsi that's sold on a weekly special would also allow a downtown merchant to use
a banner to advertise his place of business. It would also allow all types of prints,
styles, and qualities of banners, some of which could result in visual blight. Grittman
suggested that as an alternative, the convenience stores utilize changeable type on
an existing pylon sign system. The message board would he integrated with the total
allowable sign area and would not represent an addition to the sign area allowed.
O'Neill reviewed policies followed by other communities. He noted that in almost all
cases, banners aro prohibited. He reviewed the Brooklyn Center, Elk River, Mound,
Coon Rapids, and Anoka ordinances. He stated with one exception, banners and
temporary signs are prohibited. In Coon Rapids, two temporary signs are allowed so
Memo
Temporary Signs & Banners
November 12, 1992
Page 2
long as the total square footage of each sign does not exceed 12 sq ft. A third sign
is also allowed without a permit so long as it is under 12 sq ft in sign area. If the
third sign is over 12 sq ft in sign area, then it must be no larger than 32 sq ft and
can only be in place for a period of 14 days.
Steve Grittman also noted that the City can regulate for maintenance and movement.
He went on to note that the general purpose of the restriction on banners and signage
is to maintain an adequate amount of sign area. Adding signage at a clip of 30 sq ft
per property would serve to detract from the effectiveness of the signs already in
place and, therefore, diminishes the value of the sign system overall. The sign
ordinance is intended to protect individual businesses from what the neighbor might
do.
Dorothy Ritze stated that she would like the City to consider creating a new category
of signs which would allow signs to be used for individual product promotions.
Grittman again noted that it would be difficult to single out a product sign versus a
sign advertising a business, as the City cannot regulate the content of the sign.
Dorothy Ritze's primary request was to allow a 30 sq ft temporary sign to be allowed
on a full-time basis. She noted that if this would not be possible, it would be
reasonable to allow temporary signs to be displayed for a period of 2 weeks per
month. O'Neill and Grittman noted the difficulty in administering this type of
program for allowing temporary signs. Tracking which signs have been up for the
maximum period and which signs have not would create an administrative
nightmare.
As the discussion concluded, it was the consensus that Dorothy would prepare an
outline of her request, and City staff would outline the pro's and con's of the three
basic options, which include 1) no change to the existing ordinance; 2) liberalization
of the existing ordinance to allow for more special events, days, or longer special
event periods; and 3) allow 30 sq ft temporary signs or banners to be placed on
display at any business at any time.
O'Neill noted that he would be preparing an outline for the agenda item and would
contact Steve Grittman if he needed further assistance.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the group to bring the sign issue before the
Planning Commission in the form of a workshop setting. Notice of the workshop will
be provided to convenience store and fast food business operators. The information
would be presented at the December meeting of the Planning Commission.
use permit. Such permit shall include as a condition thereof
a plan for a finished grade which will not adversely affect
the surrounding land or the development of the site on which
the mining is being conducted, and route of trucks moving to
and from the site.
3-9: SIGNS:
I C fleet S 'i o
Disk 14s2/� —
[A) PURPOSE: This subdivision is established to protect and
promote health, safety, general welfare, and order
within the city of Monticello through the establishment
of a comprehensive and impartial series of standards,
regulations, and procedures governing the type, numbers,
size structure, location, height, lighting, erection,
use and/or display of devices, signs, or symbols serving
as a visual communication media to persons situated
within or upon public right-of-ways or properties.
W'/1 fly O w nt� The provisions of this subdivision are intended to
V encourage opportunity for effective, rde
c3o.nn2 R S b e communication by reducing confusion and azards
resulting from unnecessary and/or indiscriminate use of
Coos, SftWit communication facilities.
1 5 5 a �? [B) PERMITTED AND PROHIBITED SIGNS:
1. PERMITTED SIGNS: The following signs are allowed
without a permit but shall comply with all other
applicable provisions of this subdivision:
(a) Public signs
(b) Identification signs: There may be one (1)
per premise not to exceed two (Z) square feet
in area. If the sign is freestanding, the
total height may not exceed five (S) feet.
(c) Integral signs
(d) Political campaign signs: shall not exceed
twelve (12) square feet in all other zoning
districts. Every campaign sign must contain
the name and address of persons responsible
for such sign, and that person shall be
responsible for its removal. Signs shall
remain in place for no longer than five (9)
days after the election for which they are
intended. All signs shall be confined to
private property. The City shall have the
right to remove and destroy unsightly signs or
remove signs after the five (S) day limit and
assess a fee of five dollars ($5.00) per sign
for removal.
MONTICELLO ZONING ORDINANCE 3/37
(e) Holiday Signs: Displayed for a period not to
exceed thirty (30) days.
(f) Construction Signs: Such signs shall be
confined to the site of the construction,
alteration, or repair, and shall be removed
within two (2) years of the date o; issuance
of the first building permit or when the
particular project is completed, whichever is
sooner as determined by the City Building
Inspector or his agent. One (1) sign shall be
permitted for each major street the project
abuts. No sign may exceed fifty (50) square
feet.
(g) Individual Property Sale or Rental Signs:
Signs must be removed within fourteen (14)
days after sale or rental of property. Signs
may not measure more than four (4) square feet
in "R" districts, nor more than twenty (20)
square feet in all other districts. There
shall be only one (1) sign per premise.
Corner properties, however, may contain two
(2) signs, one (1) per frontage.
V
L
(h) Information/Directional Signs: Shall not be
larger than ten (10) square feet and shall
�- conform to the location provisions of the
specific district.
2. PROHIBITED SIGNS: The following signs are
specifically prohibited by this paragraph.
(a) Any sign which obstructs the vision of drivers
or pedestrians or detracts from the visibility
of any official traffic control device.
(b) Any sign which contains or imitates an
official traffic sign or signal, except for
private, on -premises directional signs.
(c) Any sign which moves or rotates. Exempt are
time and temperature information and barber
poles.
1(d) Any sign which contains or consists of)
r banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings
of light bulbs, spinners, or similar devices,
except in rase of Subsection (C)` Paragraph 4.
(e) Portable signs as defined in i below and other
attention -getting devices as defined in iii -v
below, except as provided for in Subsection
(C), Paragraph 4.
MONTICELLO ZONING ORDINANCE 3/30
i. Portable signs shall be defined as an
advertising device not permanently
attached to a building, facade, or
pylon. Portable signs include
electronic and non -electronic sign
boards on wheels, banners, as defined in
11 below, sandwich boards; hanging
placards, signs mounted on movable
standards.
ii. Banners shall be defined as fabric,
paper, vinyl, or similar material which
carries a specific message and which can
be hung on a wall, facade, awning,
canopy, suspension cable or wire, etc.
iii. Streamers/Pennants shall be defined as
flags, triangular pennants, spirals,
spinners, etc., attached in series to a
single cord or support line which is
then strung or suspended from point to
point.
iv. Inflated devices shall be defined as
inflatable devices which may be
stationary or airborne (but tethered)
which are intended to attract attention
to a specific location or site.
V. Searchlights - self defining.
(Amendment No. 150)
(f) Signs which are attached in any manner to
trees, fences, utility poles, or other such
permanent supports, except for those signs
found on fences (inside) of baseball parks.
(g) Advertising signs of 100 square feet or more
in place on or before June 13, 1980, and which
are the principal use of the lot of record as
of the above date and which have an agreement
on file with the City on or before August 13,
1980, in the form so designated by the City
Administrator, which is signed by the property
owners and the advertising sign owners and all
signatures notarized, may continue as a non-
conforming use until such time as the lot of
record above is developed or improved, in
which case, the non -conforming advertising
sign must be removed within 60 days after
written notice from the Building Official.
MONTICELLO ZONING ORDINANCE 3/39
(h) Advertising signs as defined in Chapter 2 of
this ordinance of 199 square feet or less in
area, except that those signs which were in
place on or before 8/15/75 may continue as a
non -conforming sign.
(i) No sign shall display any moving parts, nor
shall it be illuminated with any flashing or
intermittent lights, nor shall it be animated.
Exempt are time and temperature information
and barber poles. All displays shall be
shielded to prevent light to be directed at
on -coming traffic in such brilliance as to
impair the vision of any driver. No device
shall be illuminated in such a manner as to
interfere with or obscure an official traffic
sign or signal.
(j) Roof Signs.
(k) Overhanging Signs.
(C) GENERAL PROVISIONS:
1. All signs shall comply with Maintenance Section 5-
305 of the 1970 Edition of Volume V of the Uniform
Building Code as promulgated by the International
Conference of Building Officials.
2. When electrical signs are installed, the
installation shall be subject to the City's
Electrical Code.
3. No signs other than governmental signs shall be
erected or temporarily placed within any street
right-of-way or upon any public lands or easements
or right-of-ways.
/. The temporary use of portable signs, decorative
attention -getting devices, and searchlights shall
require an annual or daily permit.
(a) An annual permit for portable signs, as
/ defined herein, shall be granted for a maximum
period of twenty (20) days per calender year.
The applicant shall determine and specify on
the application the days planned for display,
i.e., twenty consecutive days, ten weekends,
.,
etc.
MONTICELLO ZONING ORDINANCE
3/00
(b) A permit for decorative attention -getting
y devices shall be issued for a maximum period
of ten (10) days with a minimum period of one
hundred eighty (180) days between consecutive
issuance of such permits for any property or
parcel.
(c) All portable signs and attention -getting
devices must be well maintained and kept in
good repair at all times. The Building
Official shall order the immediate removal of
any device considered to be damaged or in poor
condition. Non-compliance shall be just cause
for revocation of the permit without refund.
(d) All portable signs and attention -getting
devices shall be allowed only on the property
or site where the business or enterprise is
situated. No placement shall be allowed on
public rights-of-way.
(e) All portable signs and attention -getting
devices shall be on ground level except that
banners and streamers may be affixed to a
building, facade, permanent pylon sign, or
other permanent fixture. Airborne inflatable
devices shall be tethered on site.
(f) Not more than two (2) portable signs shall be
displayed at the same time.
(g) Not more than two (2) attention -getting
devices shall be permitted to be displayed in
conjunction with any portable sign.
(h) A decorative attention -getting device may bear
the name of the business, but shall not bear
any service, product, price, etc., advertising
message.
(i) Permit fees shall be set by the City Council
and shall be payable upon application for said
permit.
(Amendment No. 150)
(j) Public banners may be hung from city street
light fixtures for a period of up to one (1)
year. Design and placement of the public
banners shall be consistent with the following
standards:
14ONTICELLO ZONING ORDINANCE 3/41
1. Design and placement of public
sign/decorative banners must first be
approved by the City Council and
annually thereafter. Prior to Council
consideration, applicant shall submit a
banner placement plan which shows
proposed banner design, size, pole
location/elevation, duration, and
proposed manner by which the banners
shall be hung. Banner placement plan
shall also describe financing sources
for purchasing and installing public
banners.
Public banners may be hung from parking
lot light fixtures or from other
structures on private property only in
conjunction with a City Council approved
public banner system. Except for
requirements outlined in section 4.(j)
of this ordinance, said banners are
exempt from sign regulations. The City
shall not participate in financing any
portion of the cost of public banners
placed on private property. City crews
may assist with the installation of
public banners placed on private
property if compensated at actual cost
to install banners.
3. Except for Christmas banners, all
banners shall contain an element of the
City colors and/or City logo. No
private advertising may be allowed on
any banner hung in conjunction with a
public banner system.
4. Public banners hung from streetscape
fixtures shall be no larger than 14" by
45". Banners hung from standard street
lights shall be no larger than 28" by
80".
Public banners shall not be hung in a
position that will cause a substantial
obstruction of visibility from the
street to advertising, traffic, and
directional signs and shall not be hung
In a position so as to interrupt corner
eight lines.
6. Public banners may be hung only on
alternate stroetecape fixtures unless
otherwise approved by Council.
NONTICELLO ZONING ORDINANCE
3/42
Banners placed on City fixtures shall
become the property of the City. If
damaged or in need of repair, banners
may be removed by City staff. The
public banner system may be
discontinued, and all banners, including
those on private property,• may be
ordered removed at the discretion of the
City Council.
The bracket system used to hang banners
shall be of sufficient strength to
withstand strong winds and shall be
designed in a manner that allows easy
installation and removal of banners.
5. All signs shall display in a conspicuous manner the
owner's name, permit number, and date of erection.
6. All height restrictions on signs shall include
height of sign structure.
7. In any district, any portion of any sign exceeding
two (2) square feet shall be set back fifteen (15)
feet from any right-of-way line and ten (10) feet
from any residential (zoned) property line.
8. Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer
advertises, or identifies a bona fide business
conducted, or a service rendered, or a product
sold, shall be removed by the owner, agent, or
person having the beneficial use and/or control of
the building or structure upon which the sign may
be found within ten (10) days after written notice
from the Building Inspector.
9. The City of Monticello or its agent is authorized
and required by this ordinance to enter into an
agreement with the United States or any of its
agencies or departments to the end that the
objective stated in Title 23, United States Code,
Section 131, Section 319, or any other applicable
federal statute to obtain non -conforming signs
along the Great River Road within the city of
Monticello. However, the City of Monticello or its
agent shall not be required, nor allowed, to expend
funds for the acquisition of non -conforming signs
or advertising devices under this chapter until
federal funds in the amount of 75% or more to his
acquisition cost are made available to the City of
Monticello for the purpose of carrying out this
ordinance. No sign nor advertising device legal
under Laws 1971, Chapter 883, shall be required to
be removed or relocated until payment, as provided
in Laws 1971, Chapter 883, is tendered by the City
of Monticello.
MONTICELLO ZONING ORDINANCE 3/43
MICROFILM TITLE PAGE
CITY OF MONTICELLO
Planning Commission
Agenda Books
1993
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