HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 1523ORDINANCE NO. 1.523
BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1490, CITY CODE OF
2005 RELATING TO THE USE OF TEMPORARY SIGNAGE IN THE BUSINESS
DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
The City of Columbia Heights does ordain:
Chapter 9, Article I, Section 9.103 of the Columbia Heights City Code, is thereby
amended to read as follows:
§ 9.103 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context
clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
SIGN, SANDWICH BOARD. A freestanding "A" frame sign, not requiring
staking to the ground, placed near the entrance of a retail store to direct pedestrians to
that business.
Chapter 9, Article I, Section 9.106(P)(6) of the Columbia Heights City Code, which
currently reads to wit:
§ 9.106 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
(P) Sign Regulations.
(6} Prohibited Signs. Signs that are not specifically permitted in this division.
are hereby prohibited in all districts unless criteria is presented to allow the Planning
Commission to deem that the sign design preserves and maintains the community's
unique historical and cultural elements. Without restricting or limiting the generality of
the provisions of the foregoing, the following signs are specifically prohibited:
(a) A balcony sign and a sign mounted or supported on a balcony.
(b} Any sign that obstructs and part of a doorway or fire escape.
(c) Any sign which, because of its position, movement, shape,
illumination or color constitutes a traffic hazard because it
obstructs free and clear vision, or interrupts, confuses or misleads
traffic.
(d} A private sign containing words or symbols, which might
reasonably be construed as traffic controls.
(e} An animated or rotating sign, except barber poles and signs
displaying time and temperature information only in the animated
or rotating portion thereof.
(f) A flashing sign, including indoor flashing, electrical signs visible
from the public right-of--way, other than time and temperature
signs limited to such time and temperature information.
(g) A sign or graphics painted directly on any exterior surface of a
building or structure. However, sign letters and symbols may be
attached directly to an exterior surface by adhesive or mechanical
means.
(h) Any roof sign, unless attached to mansard roof or similar
decorative style roof that is vertical in nature.
(i) A projecting sign which either extends snore than 18 inches from
the building or structure to which it is attached, or which is larger
than three feet in vertical height, other than canopy or marquee
signs.
(j) Any sign that does not display the name of the manufacturer or
maker permanently attached to, or painted or printed on, the
exterior or structural supports of the sign.
(k) Any sign that is erected, placed or maintained by any person on a
rock, fence or trees.
(1) Any sign that interferes with any electric light, or power,
telephone, telecommunications, or telegraph wires, or the supports
thereof.
(m) Any sign containing electrical wiring which does not conform to
the Electrical Code or the components thereof do not bear label of
an approved testing agency.
(n) Any window sign or signs which exceed 25% of the total area of
the window on or in which it is displayed.
(o) Portable signage exceeding eight square feet.
is thereby amended to read as follows:
(6) Prohibited Signs. Signs that are not specifically permitted in this division
are hereby prohibited in all districts unless criteria is presented to allow the Planning
Commission to deem that the sign design preserves and maintains the community's
unique historical and cultural elements. Without restricting or limiting the generality of
the provisions of the foregoing, the following signs are specifically prohibited:
(a} A balcony sign and a sign mounted or supported on a balcony.
(b) Any sign that obstructs and part of a doorway or fire escape.
(c) Any sign which, because of its position, movement, shape,
illumination or color constitutes a traffic hazard because it
obstructs free and clear vision, or interrupts, confuses or misleads
traffic.
(d) A private sign containing words or symbols, which might
reasonably be construed as traffic controls.
(e) An animated or rotating sign, except barber poles and signs
displaying time and temperature information only in the animated
or rotating portion thereof.
(f) A flashing sign, including indoor flashing, electrical signs visible
from the public right-of--way, other than time and temperature
signs limited to such time and temperature information.
(g) A sign or graphics painted directly on any exterior surface of a
building or structure. However, sign letters and symbols may be
attached directly to an exterior surface by adhesive or mechanical
means.
(h) Any roof sign, unless attached to mansard roof or similar
decorative style roof that is vertical in nature.
(i) A projecting sign which either extends more than 18 inches from
the building or structure to which it is attached, or which is larger
than three feet in vertical height, other than canopy or marquee
signs.
(j} Any sign that does not display the name of the manufacturer or
maker permanently attached to, or painted or printed on, the
exterior or structural supports of the sign.
(k} Any sign that is erected, placed or maintained by any person on a
rock, fence or trees.
(1) Any sign that interferes with any electric light, or power,
telephone, telecommunications, or telegraph wires, or the supports
thereof.
(m)Any sign containing electrical wiring which does not conform to
the Electrical Code or the components thereof do not bear label of
an approved testing agency.
(n) Any window sign or signs which exceed 25% of the total area of
the window on or in which it is displayed.
(o} Portable signage, excluding sandwich board signs.
(p) Temporary signage stuck into the ground, excluding political signs
regulated per state statute, professional real estate signs, garage
sales signs, and any signs listed in Section 9.106 (P)(5).
Chapter 9, Article I, Section 9.106(P)(7) of the Columbia Heights City Code, which
currently reads to wit:
(7) Temporary Signs. The following standards shall apply to temporary signs in all
zoning districts:
(a) Any sign not considered permanent shall be considered temporary.
(b) Banners or pennants shall not exceed 3 feet by 20 feet in size, and shall be
directly attached to the wall of the building.
(c) No temporary signs shall extend over or into any street, alley, sidewalk or
other public thoroughfare a distance greater than 40 inches from the wall
upon which it is erected, shall not be placed or project over any wall, and
may not cover more than 25% of window area such that 75% of the total
window area is kept clear at all times.
(d) No temporary sign shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress to or
egress from any door, window or fire escape, nor shall such sign be
attached to any standpipe or fire escape.
(e) Unauthorized use of temporary signage shall be subject to the other
sanctions as provided herein.
Is thereby amended to read as follows:
(7) Temporary Signs. The following standards shall apply to temporary signs in all
zoning districts:
(a) Each temporary sign, with the exception of sandwich board signs, shall
require a sign permit from the City of Columbia Heights.
(b) No more than four (4) temporary sign permits may be issued per business per
calendar year.
(c) No mare than two (2) temporary signs shall be displayed per business at any
given time. If the business is located within a shopping center, na more than
four (4} temporary signs may be displayed throughout the shopping center at
any given time.
(d) Any sign not considered permanent shall be considered temporary.
(e) Temmporary signage may not be used as permanent wall signage far the
business.
(f) Temporary signs or pennants shall not exceed 32 square feet in area for
businesses located in the CBD, Central Business District, and shall not exceed
48 square feet in area throughout the remainder of the City and shall be
directly and fully attached to the wall of the building.
(g) Each temporary sign shall be limited to a 30-day display period per permit.
(h) No temporary signs shall extend over or into any street, alley, sidewalk or
other public thoroughfare, and may not cover more than 25% of window area
such that 75% of the total window area is kept clear at all times.
(i) No temporary sign shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress
from any door, window or fire escape, nor shall such sign be attached to any
standpipe or fire escape.
(j) Unauthorized use of temporary signage shall be subject to the other sanctions
as provided herein.
(k} Sandwich Board Signs.
(1} Permitted in the LB, Limited Business, GB, General Business, and
CBD, Central Business District only.
(2) One (1) sandwich board sign is permitted per business.
(3) Sandwich board signs are limited to eight (8) square feet in area
per side.
(4) Sandwich board signs are limited to five (5) feet in height.
(5) The sign shall be professionally painted and maintained in a neat
and readable manner.
(6) Signs shall be placed on private property only, and shall be setback
at least five (5) feet from all property lines.
(7) Signs shall not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic or visibility
and shall not create a safety hazard.
(8) Signs shall not be lighted and shall not utilize noise amplifiers.
(9) In the CBD, Central Business District only, sandwich board signs
may be placed on public sidewalks, directly in front of the business
being advertised.
Section 2:
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after 30 days after its
passage.
This ordinance shall become null and void on Apri129, 2008, if no further action
from the City Council has been taken. In the event that this ordinance becomes null and
void, the City will revert back to the Ordinance in place on May 28, 2007.
First Reading: April 23, 2007
Second Reading: May 29, 2007
Date of Passage: May 29, 2007
Offered by: Nawrocki
Seconded by: Diehm
Roll Call: Ayes: Peterson, Nawrocki, Diehin, Kelzenberg
Attest:
Patricia Muscovitz CMC
Deputy City Clerk/Council Secretary
ams
Gary 1;. Peterson