PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Ordinance #13-15 to Establish Armstrong Boulevard Interchange Overlay District

The City has been actively pursuing the construction of an interchange at Armstrong Boulevard and U.S. Highway 10. The City has been successful in securing a portion of the funding required for this project. More importantly, the Anoka County Highway Department has completed the necessary environmental review to proceed with final design of the interchange. As part of the public comment period during the environmental review portion of the project, several commercial property owners expressed concern with loss of visibility due to the vertical nature of the proposed structure.

The following case borrows a model ordinance used in the Central Avenue (TH 65) improvement project at Main Street (CSAH 14) in Blaine. In this circumstance, a similar situation existed during the conversion of an at-grade intersection to a grade-separated interchange. The proposed overlay district allows for additional sign height and size.

The Public Hearing was published in the Anoka County Union.

The proposed Overlay District would allow commercial properties within the district a maximum height of fifty (50) feet and a maximum size of 150 square feet per face (aggregate 300 square feet). The underlying zoning requirements would allow a maximum of twenty-five (25) feet in height and a maximum size of 100 square feet.

The proposed interchange structure would have a minimum clearance over Highway 10 of slightly less than twenty (20) feet. The bridge deck structure would appear to be less than ten (10) feet for a total of thirty (30) feet clearance necessary for visibility of signs immediately adjacent to the interchange structure. As the proposed height allowance is fifty (50) feet, this would appear to be sufficient additional height, allowing for additional clearance for larger vehicles. These measurements are preliminary, subject to completion of the final design of the interchange.

The Overlay District is proposed to be established for parcels within 750 feet of the centerline of Highway 10, extending to the centerline of Traprock Street and extending to the centerline of Llama Street. As currently proposed, this overlay district would not apply to The COR District, as that district contains separate, specific sign regulations. An exhibit is attached hereto as reference.

These measurements are intended as a starting point for discussion. The Planning Commission has the legislative authority to recommend that the initial measurements be amended.

Preparation of the Ordinance is being handled as part of regular Staff duties.

Staff recommends approval of Ordinance #13-15.

Motion to recommend that the City Council adopt Ordinance #13-15 establishing the Armstrong Boulevard Sign Overlay District.