4. Sign Ordinance Amendment Issue Paper
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
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Web Site
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning Commission
FROM:
Angie Kairies, Planner I
DATE:
o~
September 15, 2009
SUBJ:
City Code Issue Paper - Signs
BACKGROUND
This is a continuation of the proposed update of the City Code to coincide with
the adoption of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Staff has continued to review the
City Code and discovered issues, shortfalls, and general updates, and prepared
pertinent additions that are warranted by the adoption of the 2030 Comprehensive
Plan.
Staff will be focusing on issues related to Signage. Staff is requesting input and
guidance with regard to the identified issues before we proceed with the public
hearings. Based on that feedback, the public hearing for the code amendments
and recommendations will be scheduled.
Staff has prepared a strike-through (delete) and bold (add) format to review the
proposed changes.
ANAYLSIS
SIGNAGE
In April 2008, the City's sign ordinance was updated to permit logos up to 30% of
the sign display area, and provide an exemption to the individual dimension letter
requirement for a portion of a sign. In putting the amended sign ordinance into
practice, it came to staff's attention that the language regarding the dimension
letter exemption for logos should be clarified for easier interpretation.
Additionally, due to economic times, businesses are requesting more temporary
signs to advertise their goods and services. Staff is in support of one additional
sign per calendar year. Staff is also proposing language to clarify the permitted
location of detached and attached temporary signs.
Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow
Planning Commission
September 15, 2009
Page 2
Permanent Signs
1. ISSUE: The current sign ordinance
provides an exemption to the
individual dimension letter
requirement for company logos and
display messages, if it occupies 20%
of the sign display area or less and
the letters are not more than 6 inches
in height.
Registered trademarks are also part
of this exemption, however, this can
be mistaken for the company logo,
and therefore, staff is proposing to
eliminate Registered Trademarks.
Rather Logos are addressed separately.
~-
2. ISSUE: The intent of the amended ordinance is to exempt all logos from the dimension
letter requirement; it is clear for Pylon and Monument signs, but not as clear for wall signs.
Staff is proposing to add language to clarify the intent of the ordinance.
PROPOSED CHANGE: Amend Section 20-1267 as shown below
1. All permanent signs shall be designed and constructed in a uniform manner and, to
the extent possible, as an integral part of the building's architecture. Multi-tenant
commercial and industrial buildings shall have uniform signage. When buildings or
developments are presented for site plan review, proposed signs for the development
shall be presented concurrently for staff review. All planned centers and multi-tenant
buildings shall submit a comprehensive sign plan for approval by the Planning
Commission and City Council.
a. All wall signage shall use individual dimension letters, at least one-half inch deep.
Registered trademarks: Company symbols, display messages (1.e!,~ than not
~reater thad 6 inches tall), pictorial presentations, illustrations, or decorations
(anything other than wording) and less than 20 percent of the total sign display
area are exempt from the individual dimension letter requirement.
b. Wall signs shall be backlit if a wall sign is illuminated, and be architecturally
compatible with the building and other signage if in a multi-tenant building.
c. Company logos shall not occupy more than 30 percent of the sign display area!
W"areexem~t from the individual dimension letter reguireiiieiitJ
Planning Commission
September 15, 2009
Page 3
Temporary Signs
1. ISSUE: Due to economic times, businesses are requesting more temporary signs to advertise
their goods and services. Currently the sign ordinance permits three temporary signs per
year; staff is recommending increasing the number of temporary signs to four signs per year.
Staff is also proposing language to clarify the permitted location of detached and attached
temporary signs.
PROPOSED CHANGE: Amend Section 20-1256 as shown below:
Temporary signs are permitted as follows:
1. Banners attached to the principal structure shall not exceed 140 square feet.
2. Detached banners shall not exceed 32 square feet and 6 feet in height.
3. Portable signs shall not exceed 32 square feet and 6 feet in height.
4. All temporary signage shall meet the following standards:
a. A 30-day display period to coincide with the grand opening of a business or a new
development (business park or shopping center which shall be in addition to Sec 20-1256
(4) (b)).
b. A business may display an attached or detached banner or portable sign on up to three
four occasions per calendar year with a maximum ten-day display period for each
occaSIOn.
c. Messages must relate to on-premises products or services, or any noncommercial
message.
d. Atta~hed banners, deta.che<j banners _and port~ble signs must be located on the
property which is owned or leased by the business which the sign is advertising. Non-
profit and governmental event banners are excluded from this provision.
e. Portable signs and detached banners shall not be located in the public right-of-way.
f Portable signs and detached banners are limited to the driveway entrance area.
g. No more than one portable sign or detached banner shall be permitted per entrance at any
given time.
DIRECTION
The Planning Staff is looking to the Planning Commission for feedback with regard to the
referenced City Code issues.
g:\plan\city code\2009 code amendments\signs\pc memo signs 9-15-09.doc