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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Report CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PLANNING REPORT CASE NUMBER: 2012-0903 DATE: September 5, 2012 TO: Columbia Heights Planning Commission APPLICANT: City of Columbia Heights LOCATION: City Wide REQUEST: Zoning Amendment for Temporary Signs PREPARED BY: Jeff Sargent, City Planner INTRODUCTION In early 2012, the City Council approved the establishment of the Community Development Steering Committee (“the Committee”). The task of the Committee was to conduct an extensive review of the Sign Code and Design Guidelines to determine whether these articles are still relevant in today’s society. The Committee was in charge of overseeing any changes that might be made, with suggestions and recommendations to the City Staff, who would then forward the recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council. The Committee was comprised of one resident, three business owners, one City Council member and one Planning Commission member. They met for six sessions beginning in May, 2012, and have come up with some suggestions for Zoning Amendments. At this time, City Staff is representing the Committee by proposing a Zoning Amendment as it relates to temporary signage. In order to promote new businesses that have moved into Columbia Heights, the Committee proposes the City to allow each new business to utilize one “Grand Opening” sign per business for a period of 60 days. This banner would not require a permit and would not count towards the total allotment of temporary banners (four) that a business may use in a calendar year. The purpose of this amendment is to allow new businesses the opportunity to advertise their new arrival in an attempt to establish themselves in the community. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN One of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan is to preserve and enhance the existing viable commercial areas within the community, and to promote reinvestment in properties City of Columbia Heights Planning Commission September 5, 2012 City of Columbia Heights, Temporary Signs Case # 2012-0903 by the commercial and industrial sectors. Allowing a “Grand Opening” sign would aide in the enhancement of the commercial areas throughout the city. FINDINGS OF FACT Section 9.104 (F) of the Columbia Heights zoning code requires that the City Council make each of the following four findings before approving a zoning amendment: 1. The amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. One of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan is to preserve and enhance the existing viable commercial areas within the community, and to promote reinvestment in properties by the commercial and industrial sectors. Allowing a “Grand Opening” sign would aide in the enhancement of the commercial areas throughout the city. 2. The amendment is in the public interest and is not solely for the benefit of a single property owner. The proposed amendment would apply to all commercial districts throughout the City. 3. Where the amendment is to change the zoning classification of a particular property, the existing use of the property and the zoning classification of property within the general area of the property in question are compatible with the proposed zoning classification. The amendment would not change the zoning classification of a particular property. 4. Where the amendment is to change the zoning classification of a particular property, there has been a change in the character or trend of development in the general area of the property in question, which has taken place since such property was placed in the current zoning classification. The amendment would not change the zoning classification of a particular property. RECOMMENDATION Motion: That the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the proposed zoning amendment. Attachments  Draft zoning ordinance Page 2 City of Columbia Heights Planning Commission September 5, 2012 City of Columbia Heights, Temporary Signs Case # 2012-0903 Page 3