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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Report
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PLANNING REPORT
CASE NUMBER: 2008-0804
DATE: August 6, 2008
TO: Columbia Heights Planning Commission
APPLICANT: City of Columbia Heights
LOCATION: City Wide
REQUEST: Zoning Amendment for Real Estate Signs
PREPARED BY: Jeff Sargent, City Planner
INTRODUCTION
The City of Columbia Heights has received some concerns regarding the number and size
of residential real estate signs allowed in the City. Staff conducted a survey of the sizes of
various real estate signs used by different real estate companies. The sizes of signs
ranged from 6 square feet to 14 square feet, depending on the company. Two sections of
the sign code currently address real estate signage. The first is at Section 9.106 (P)(5)(i),
referring to signs in which the provisions of the code do not apply. It states as follows:
(i) Temporary on-site signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental
of the lot or premises upon which such signs are situated, provided
the combined area of such signs fronting upon each street which
bounds such lot or premises shall not exceed a ratio of 1 square foot
of sign area for each 1,000 square feet. No such temporary on-site
sign shall exceed 8 square feet nor remain past the date of
termination of such offering.
The second reference is at Section 9.106 (P)(5)(n), referring to signs in which the
provisions of the code do not apply. It states as follows:
(n) One temporary on-site banner or pennant advertising the sale,
lease or rental of the lots or premises on which such a banner or
pennant is situated, provided that the total area of such banner or
pennant shall not exceed the ratio of 1 square foot of signs area for
each 1,000 square feet of building area plus 1 square foot of sign
area for each 1,000 square feet of lot area. No such banner or
City of Columbia Heights Planning Commission August 6, 2008
City of Columbia Heights, Real Estate Signs Case # 2008-0804
pennant need be less than 32 square feet. No such banner or
pennant shall remain past the date of the offering or be displayed for
a period of more than 120, whichever is shorter. At the end of the
display period, the site may not display a banner or pennant until at
least 240 days have elapsed.
Staff feels that these two sections need clarification as to the types of signs allowed, the
number of signs allowed, and for what zoning districts they apply. Staff recommends
amending the sign code to allow one residential real estate sign per property, at a
maximum of six (6) feet in height and fifteen (15) square feet in area. Staff also
recommends retaining the sign code in relation to commercial and industrial real estate
signage.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
One of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan is to promote and preserve the single-family
housing stock as the community’s strongest asset. By amending the zoning ordinance to
allow no more than one residential real estate sign per property at a fifteen square foot
limit, the residential housing stock will be protected from properties with large amounts of
signage.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The proposed ordinance amendment will affect all areas of the city. The proposed
changes to the ordinance will help clarify what is allowed in each zoning district.
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.
The amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, as it would help
preserve the city’s single-family housing stock as its strongest asset.
2. The amendment is in the public interest and is not solely for the benefit of a
single property owner.
The proposed amendment would affect the entire city and is not for the benefit of a
single property owner.
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
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City of Columbia Heights Planning Commission August 6, 2008
City of Columbia Heights, Real Estate Signs Case # 2008-0804
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
Staff recommends amending the sign code to allow one residential real estate sign per
property, at a maximum of six (6) feet in height and fifteen (15) square feet in area. Staff
also recommends retaining and clarifying the sign code in relation to commercial and
industrial real estate signage.
Motion: That the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the
proposed zoning amendment.
Attachments
Draft zoning ordinance
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