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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
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City of Columbia Heights Planning Commission September 5, 2012
City of Columbia Heights, Temporary Signs Case # 2012-0903
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