1d. City Code Amendment: Temporary Signs/Area ID Signs.I MEMORANDUM
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CITY OF Id..
CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager
FROM: John Rask, Planner I
DATE: April 3, 1996
SUBJ: Sign Ordinance Glitch Amendments
CITY COUNCIL UPDATE
On March 25, 1996, the City Council approved'the first
amendments. Councilman Berquist requested addition
issues. Staff discussed the proposed amendments with
discussion, several changes were made to the proposed
identification/entrance signs. These changes are shown
amendments. Staff is of the opinion that the changes re
appropriate and help clarify the intent of the ordinance.
I SUMMARY
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On January 9, 1996,1
Ordinance. After a ye
glitches have appeases
without speaking to st
easy to interpret. The
ading of the sign ordinance
iformation from staff on several
. Berquist. As a result of the
endments concerning area
Bold along with the other proposed
nmended by Councilman Berquist are
to the Sign
dinance. several
times people request or pickup a copy of the 'sign,,O finance
Fore, it is important to have an ordinance that reads clearly and is
mcled amendments should clarifv these problem areas.
The revised sign ordinance was adopted a little ',o -ver a year ago. Whereas, there has been a few
problems and glitches, staff is of the opinion that he ordinance has provided adequate standards
for signage within the community. Sign ordinances are difficult to create and even more difficult
to enforce; however, sign ordinances are one of the most important tools in protecting and
enhancing the aesthetic environment of a community. Civic beauty and traffic safety can be
seriously impaired by uncontrolled or unlimited signage. The City is lucky to have businesses
and developers who generally make use of higher quality signs and advertising devices.
However, competition among competing businesses can be great, creating a desire to have
Don Ashworth
April 3, 1996
Page 2
additional signage. The sign ordinance appears to have created a level playing field and
opportunity for all businesses to advertise within the community.
PLANNING COMMISSION UPDATE
On March 6, 1996, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to review the proposed
ordinance amendments. The Commission recommended approval of the amendments by a
unanimous vote. A comment was made concerning the lighting of entry monument signs located
in residential neighborhoods. Whereas, the ordinance does not prohibit the lighting of these
signs, there have been illuminated signs which emit a significant amount of light. Staff is of the
opinion that this issue can be addressed at the time of subdivision approval or sign permit
approval. Provision exist within the city code for illuminated signs which obstruct the view of
traffic or creates a nuisance to adjoining properties.
ANALYSIS
Staff recommends the following amendments:
Section 20- 1255(9)a. Temporary development project advertising signs, currently reads, "Not
more than two (2) nonilluminated signs or not more than one (1) nonilluminated sign per street
frontage shall be allowed per project."
Amend Section 20- 1255(9)a. Temporary development project advertising signs, to read: "Not
more than one (1) nonilluminated sign per street frontage, provided that the total number of signs
do not exceed two (2) per project."
Comment: This provision has created confusion over how many signs are allowed. No permits
are required for Temporary Development Project Advertising Signs. The proposed amendment
should clarify this section of the ordinance.
Amend Section 20- 1301(2) Area identification entrance signs to read: Only one (1) monument
sign may be erected at the entrance(s) on-a-let. Total sign area shall not exceed twenty -four
(24) square feet of sign display area, nor be more than five (5) feet high. More than one sign
per entrance may be erected provided that the total sign area does not exceed twenty -four
(24) square feet Any such sign or monument shall be designed with low maintenance
materials. The adjacent property owner or a homeowners association shall be responsible for
maintenance of the identification/entrance sign and surrounding grounds and landscaped
areas. Such sign shall be located so as not to conflict with traffic visibility or street maintenance
operation, and shall be securely anchored to the ground."
Comment: The title of this section, area identification/ signs, should lead one to believe
that the intent is to locate the sign at the entrance to a subdivision. However, in the past we have
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Don Ashworth
April 3, 1996
Page 3
received requests to locate signs in areas away from the entrance, and to locate more than one
sign at the entrance. The amendment should clarify this section.
Amend Section 20 -1, Definitions. Sign, ground low profile business, means a business sign
affixed directly to the ground, with the sign dis area standing not great than two (2) roe*
above ground which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or product
offered on the premises.
Comment: The height requirement is in conflict with the requirements for the specific zoning
districts in which ground low profile business signs are permitted. The revised sign ordinance
provides height and sign area requirements for ground low profile signs in each zoning district.
Therefore, this part of the definition is not needed and is in conflict with other sections of the
ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the following motion:
"The City Council approves the following amendments as described in the staff report dated
March 19, 1996 and shown in Attachment #I and approval of summary for publication:
Amend Section 20- 1255(9)a. to read: "Not more than one (1) nonilluminated sign per street
frontage, provided that the total number of signs do not exceed two (2) per project.
2. Amend Section 20- 1301(2) Area identificationlentrance signs to read: Only one (1)
monument sign may be erected at the entrance(s). Total sign area shall not exceed twenty -
four (24) square feet of sign display area, nor be more than five (5) feet high. More than one
sign per entrance may be erected provided that the total sign area does not exceed twenty -
four (24) square feet Any such sign or monument shall be designed with low maintenance
materials. The adjacent property owner or a homeowners association shall be responsible for
maintenance of the identification/entrance sign and surrounding grounds and landscaped
areas. Such sign shall be located so as not to conflict with traffic visibility or street
maintenance operation, and shall be securely anchored to the ground."
3. Section 20 -1, Definitions. Sign, ground low profile business, means a business sign affixed
directly to the ground, which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or product
offered on the premises.
' g: \plan \jr \sign rev. doc
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20 OF THE
CHANHASSEN CITY CODE
The City Council of the City of Chanhassen ordains:
Section 1. Section 20 -1255 (9)a. is hereby amended to read as follows:
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a. Not more than one (1) nonilluminated sign per street frontage, provided that the
total number of signs do not exceed two (2) per project. I
Section 2. Section 20- 1301(2) is hereby amended to read as follows:
(2) Area identification entrance signs: Only one (1) monument sign may be erected
at the entrance(s). Total sign area shall not exceed twenty -four (24) square feet of
sign display area, nor be more than five (5) feet high. More than one sign per
entrance may be erected provided that the total sign area does not exceed twenty -
four (24) square feet Any such sign or monument shall be designed with low
maintenance materials. The adjacent property owner or a homeowners association
shall be responsible for maintenance of the identification/entrance sign and
surrounding grounds and landscaped areas. Such sign shall be located so as not to
conflict with traffic visibility or street maintenance operation, and shall be
securely anchored to the ground.
Section 3. Section 20 -1, Definitions, Sign, ground low profile business is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sign, ground low profile business, means a business sign affixed directly to the ground,
which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or product offered on the premises.
Section 4. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and
publication.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this
Council of the City of Chanhassen.
day of , 1996, by the City
ATTEST:
Don Ashworth, Clerk/Manager
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on
Donald J. Chmiel, Mayor
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1 ORDINANCE SUMMARY NO.
I CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
' AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20
OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE CONCERNING
' ARTICLE XXVI, SIGNS, AND ARTICLE I, DEFINITIONS
' An ordinance amending chapter 20 of the Chanhassen City Code to clarify the text of the
City's Sign Ordinance.
John Rask, Planner I
937 -1900 ext. 117