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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 Page 2 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 Page 3