HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-55RESOLUTION NO. 2015 -55
RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
FOR LED SIGNS AT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS- LOCATED AT 1400 49TH AVENUE NE.
WHEREAS, a proposal (Case # 2015 -0802) has been submitted by MLA Architects on behalf of
Columbia Heights Public Schools to the City Council requesting a Conditional Use Permit from
the City of Columbia Heights at the following site:
ADDRESS: 1400 491h Avenue NE
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: On file at City Hall.
THE APPLICANT SEEKS THE FOLLOWING PERMIT: A Conditional Use Permit per Code
Section 9.106 (P) (9) (c) (d) to allow a dynamic LED sign to be located in the R -1, Single
Family Residential Zoning District in conjunction with an educational institution.
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission has held a public hearing as required by City
Zoning Code on August 5th, 2015.
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the advice and recommendations of the Planning
Commission regarding the effect of the proposed conditional use permit upon the health,
safety, and welfare of the community and its Comprehensive Plan, as well as any concerns
related to compatibility of uses, traffic, property values, light, air, danger of fire, and risk to
public safety in the surrounding areas; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights after
reviewing the proposal, that the City Council accepts and adopts the following findings of the
Planning Commission:
1. The use is one of the conditional uses listed for the zoning district in which the property
is located, or is a substantially similar use as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
2. The use is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Comprehensive Plan.
3. The use will not impose hazards or distributing influences on neighboring properties.
4. The use will not substantially diminish the use of property in the immediate vicinity.
5. The use will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that is
compatible with the appearance of the existing or intended character of the
surrounding area.
6. The use and property upon which the use is located are adequately served by essential
Resolution No. 2015 -55 Pate 2
public facilities and services.
7. Adequate measures have been or will be taken to minimize traffic congestion on the
public streets and to provide for appropriate on -site circulation of traffic.
8. The use will not cause a negative cumulative effect, when considered in conjunction
with the cumulative effect of other uses in the immediate vicinity.
9. The use complies with all other applicable regulations for the district in which it is
located.
FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that the attached conditions, maps, and other information shall
become part of this permit and approval; and in granting this permit the city and the applicant
agree that this permit shall become null and void if the project has not been completed within
one (1) calendar year after the approval date, subject to petition for renewal of the permit.
CONDITIONS ATTACHED:
1. Dynamic LED signs are allowed only on monument signs for conditionally permitted uses in
all zoning districts, with the exception of the P0, Public District, in which LED signage may
be utilized in existing pylon signs. Motor fuel stations may display dynamic LED signs as
part of the pylon sign to promote motor fuel prices only. Such motor fuel price signs do
not require a conditional use permit. All dynamic LED signs may occupy no more than 60%
of the actual copy and graphic area. The remainder of the sign must not have the
capability to have dynamic LED signs, even if not used. Only one, contiguous dynamic
display area is allowed on a sign face.
2. A dynamic LED sign may not change or move more often than once every ten seconds for
commercial, industrial uses, or public uses, and no more than once every ten minutes for
religious and /or educational institution uses, except one for which changes are necessary
to correct hour -and- minute, date, or temperature information.
3. A display of time, date or temperature information may change as frequently as once
every five seconds, however information displayed not relating to the date, time or
temperature must not change or move more often than once every ten seconds for
commercial, industrial uses, or public uses, and no more than once every ten minutes for
religious and /or educational institution uses.
4. The images and messages displayed must be static, and the transition from one state
display to another must be instantaneous without any special effects. Motion, animation
and video images are prohibited on dynamic LED sign displays.
Resolution No. 2015 -55 Paae 3
5. The images and messages displayed must be complete in themselves, without
continuation in content to the next image or message or to any other sign.
6. Dynamic LED signs must be designed and equipped to freeze the device in one position if a
malfunction shall occur. The displays must also be equipped with a means to immediately
discontinue the display if it malfunctions, and the sign owner must immediately stop the
dynamic display when notified by the city that it is not complying with the standards of
this section.
7. Dynamic LED signs may not exceed a maximum illumination of 5,000 nits (candelas per
square meter) during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 500 nits (candelas per
square meter) between dusk to dawn as measured from the signs face at maximum
brightness. Dynamic LED signs must have an automatic dimmer control to produce a
distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower level for the time
period between one -half hour before sunset and one -half hour after sunrise.
The easterly sign (at Highland Elementary) shall not be lit between the hours of 10:00 p.m.
and 6:00 a.m.
8. Dynamic LED signs existing on the effective date of Ordinance 1593, passed April 25, 2011,
must comply with the operational standards listed above. An existing dynamic LED sign
that does not meet the structural requirements may continue as a non - conforming sign
subject to § 9.105(E).
Passed this 10th day of August, 2015.
Offered by: Williams
Seconded by: Murzyn, Jr.
Roll Call: All Ayes
Attest:
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Katie Bruno, Council Secretary