Introduce Ordinance #17-01 Amending Sign Standards for the Employment Districts to Allow a Second Ground Sign on Parcels with Multiple Road Frontages

In 2010, the City amended the sign regulations relating to the Business Districts (B-1 and B-2) to allow a secondary permanent ground sign on parcels with multiple road frontages. At that time, it did not seem that there was a need to contemplate allowing a secondary ground sign in the Employment Districts since they are not generally oriented toward retail uses sought out by the general public. However, the City has had a couple inquiries over the past few years about the potential of a secondary ground sign that were not possible without the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit due to the limitation of one (1) permanent ground sign per parcel, regardless of the number of road frontages.

A notice of public hearing was published in the Anoka Union Herald, the City's official newspaper, in accordance with state statutes.

Generally speaking, the sign standards for the Business Districts and the Employment Districts are essentially the same with the exception of the number of allowed permanent ground signs (there are additional provisions for various sign types in the Business Districts that are specifically geared toward some of the permitted uses within those districts). There does not appear to be a compelling reason to continue to maintain different standards related to the number of ground signs allowed on a parcel based on whether a business is located in a Business or Employment District. If a parcel in one of the Employment Districts has multiple frontages and the business believes that a secondary ground sign would be beneficial, the Zoning Code should not be an obstruction.

In the Business Districts (B-1 and B-2), parcels with multiple road frontages are permitted to have up to two (2) permanent ground signs. One permanent ground sign can be up to twenty-five feet (25') in height and cannot exceed 100 square feet per exposed face nor an aggregate gross surface area of 200 square. A second permanent ground sign is permitted up to a height of twelve and a half feet (12.5') and cannot exceed fifty (50) square feet per exposed face nor an aggregate gross surface area of 100 square feet. The Ordinance under consideration would add this same provision for parcels with multiple road frontages to the Employment Districts.

Staff is aware that there are broader policy topics regarding signs (process, design standards, etc.). However, this ordinance has a degree of time sensitivity due to a specific request. The broader policy discussion is likely to take some time to unfold, and Staff does not want to hold up this smaller scale amendment.

The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on this matter at their regular December 1, 2016 meeting and there were no written or verbal comments received.

Alternatives

Alternative 1: Adopt Ordinance #17-01 amending the sign regulations for the Employment Districts to allow a second permanent ground sign on parcels with multiple road frontages. There does not appear to be any compelling reason to have more restrictive standards for the number of allowable ground signs in the Employment Districts than the Business Districts. The Zoning Code should not be a barrier for those businesses with multiple frontages that desire to have a second ground sign in the Employment Districts. Staff supports adopting Ordinance #17-01.

Alternative 2: Do not adopt Ordinance #17-01 to amend the sign regulations for the Employment Districts to allow a second permanent ground sign on parcels with multiple road frontages. There does not appear to be any reason why the City should have more restrictive standards for the number of ground signs permitted in the Employment Districts than in the Business Districts. Ordinance #17-01 would create the same allowance for a second ground sign on parcels with multiple frontages and therefore Staff does not support this alternative.

This case is being handled as part of Staff's normal duties.

The Planning Commission recommended adopting Ordinance #17-01.

Motion to introduce Ordinance #17-01 amending Section 117-520 (b) to allow a second permanent ground sign on parcels with multiple road frontages in the Employment Districts.