3c. Sign Illumination Code Amendment0
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Sharmeen Al -Jaff, Senior Planner
DATE: June 5, 2012 6�
SUBJ: City Code Amendment — Sign Illumination
Chapter 20, Sec. 20 -1267. - Uniformity of construction, design, etc.
BACKGROUND
On February 21, and April 3, 2012, staff presented an issue paper addressing backlit
signs verses exposed neon. Staff explained that the intent of the ordinance requiring
backlit signs is to prevent glare. The Planning Commission was receptive to the idea
of allowing signage that promotes creativity in design but requested additional
information on how to control glare. Staff proposed limiting the luminous not to
exceed 5,000 Nits between the hours of civil sunrise and civil sunset, and not to
exceed 500 Nits between the hours of civil sunset and civil sunrise.
ANALYSIS
Section 20 -1267 of the zoning ordinance addresses the construction and design of
signs. Subsection (a)(2) states "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."
The intent of requiring backlit signs is to insure the sign does not emit glare.
However, limiting the illumination to backlit only limits the design and creativity.
The glare of exposed neon can be easily controlled by reducing the transformer power
to the sign which would reduce the brightness and glare. Furthermore, the technology
of LED signs uses the LED light bulbs to illuminate the sign. These bulbs are
exposed light sources as opposed to backlighting.
The current ordinance regulating LED signs limits displays not to exceed 5,000 Nits
between the hours of civil sunrise and civil sunset, and not exceed 500 Nits between
the hours of civil sunset and civil sunrise. The intensity of the luminous is
automatically regulated through transformers that control the voltage output. Neon
signs have less luminous intensity than LED. To insure that exposed neon does not
emit glare, staff is proposing requiring limiting the luminous not to exceed 5,000 Nits
between the hours of civil sunrise and civil sunset, and not to exceed 500 Nits
between the hours of civil sunset and civil sunrise. This will be in keeping with
existing standards regulating signs in the city.
3c
Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow
Planning Commission
City Code Amendment — Sign Illumination
June 5, 2012
Page 2
The amended section will read "Subsection (a)(2) Wall signs shall be either illuminated or
non - illuminated and shall meet the following criteria:
a. Backlit or exposed lighting shall if a wall sig is illuminated, an d be architecturally
compatible with the building and other signage if in a multi- tenant building.
b. If a neon sign is illuminated by exposed neon or LED, the luminous shall not to
exceed 5,000 Nits between the hours of civil sunrise and civil sunset, and not to
exceed 500 Nits between the hours of civil sunset and civil sunrise.
c. If a sign is non - illuminated, downcast decorative lighting compatible with the
building architecture may be used."
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the attached ordinance
amending Chapter 20 Zoning of the Chanhassen City Code pertaining to illuminated signs.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance Amending Chapter 20, Zoning, Section 20 -1267, Subsection (a)(2).
g: \plan \city code\2012 \exposed neon \sign illumination ordinance amendment report.doc
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20
CHANHASSEN CITY CODE, ZONING,
CONCERNING SIGN ILLUMINATION
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA ORDAINS:
Section 1 . The Chanhassen City Code is amended by amending section 20 -1267
subsection (a)(2) to read as follows:
(2) Wall signs shall be either illuminated or non illuminated and shall meet the following
criteria:
a. Backlit or exposed lighting shall if a wall sign is illuminated, d be architecturally
compatible with the building and other signage if in a multi - tenant building.
b. If a neon sign is illuminated by exposed neon or LED, the luminous shall not to
exceed 5,000 Nits between the hours of civil sunrise and civil sunset and not to
exceed 500 Nits between the hours of civil sunset and civil sunrise.
c. If a sign is non - illuminated, downcast decorative lighting compatible with the
building architecture may be used.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and
publication.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this
of Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
day of , 2012, by the City Council of the City
Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on