ITEM 2.1VrEM 2-1
3601 Thurston Avenue N, Suite 100
Anoka, MN 55303
Phone: 763.231.(5840
Facsimile: 763.427.0520
TPC@PlanningCo.com
MEMORANDUM
TO: Otsego Planning Commission
FROM: Daniel Licht, AICP
DATE: 9 October 2012
RE: Otsego — Zoning Ordinance; Signs
TPC FILE: 101.01 — 12.05
BACKGROUND
The City has initiated a series of meetings with Otsego businesses to develop improved
relationships and a better understanding of business needs with the community.
Comments from the initial Otsego business group meetings prompted City staff to
schedule a meeting to discuss the City's sign regulations, answer questions and receive
ideas. City staff met on 10 July 2012 with Todd Rick of Otsego Denny's and Dion
Grover of Boondox Grille and Bar, who were among three businesses that responded to
the invitation. City staff presented several ideas and issues we had identified with the
current Sign Ordinance regulations and heard others from the two businesses as well.
This information was summarized for the City Council Administrative Subcommittee,
which recommended that the City Council direct the Planning Commission to review the
proposed Sign Ordinance changes and proceed with the amendment process. The City
Council at their meeting on 13 August 2012 did so act to direct the Planning
Commission to consider possible Sign Ordinance amendments in response to
comments from the Otsego Business Group meetings and City staff comments. The
Planning Commission reviewed the proposed Sign Ordinance issues at their meeting on
4 September 2012 and directed City staff to draft amendments. The Planning
Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider the proposed amendments to the
Sign Ordinance as outlined here in at their meeting on 15 October 2012.
Exhibits:
A. Draft Zoning Ordinance amendment
ANALYSIS
Freeway Corridor District Signs. The majority of the issues raised by area
businesses relate to signs allowed within the Freeway Corridor District. The City
established the Freeway Corridor District for signs to create a specific set of standards
applicable to properties in proximity to the TH 101 and 1-94 corridors to increase
visibility of those commercial and industrial sites.
Boundaries. The boundaries of the Freeway Corridor District are currently
defined as follows:
1-94 Corridor: Land located within two thousand six hundred forty (2,640)
feet of Interstate 94 right-of-way.
TH 101 Corridor: Land located within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the
right-of-way for TH 101 or land within that area between the rights-of-way
of Q uad ay Avenue and TH 101 and lands between the rights--of-way of
Queens Avenue and TH 101, whichever is more restrictive.
The boundaries of the Freeway Corridor District were intended to include those
commercial and industrial properties that have an expectation of visibility from
the TH 101 or 1-94 corridor either beca use they are directly abutting or in very
close proximity to the roadways while maintaining compatibility with surrounding
residential areas. There are, however, developed properties that because of
their unique location or type of use warrant consideration for being included in
the Freeway Corridor District.
Queens Avenue. Existing and future industrial uses east of Queens
Avenue may benefit from the additional sign area and freestanding sign
height allowed with the Freeway Corridor District. As an example, the
existing building at 5600 Queens Avenue was more visible to traffic on TH
101 prier to the roadway being u pg rad ed to a freeway (especially for
northbound traffic without the bridge passing CSAH 36 over TH 10 1). th
Likewise future industrial buildings east of Queens Avenue between 60
Street and 70th Street that abut Queens Avenue should likely also be
included in the Freeway Corridor District to promote the City's economic
development goals.
Uses. There are commercial uses that provide services that appeal
specifically to transient traffic on the City's two freeway corridor district
and it would be consistent with the City's economic development goals to
promote their visibility. This issue is especially applicable along TH 101
where the City has four interchanges that provide convenient access to
existing businesses and parcels guided for future commercial
development. An example of this situation is the Holiday Gas station
located at CSAH 39 and CSAH 42 that is not included in the freeway
corridor district but that provides goods and services sought by traffic on
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TH 101. City staff recommends that the definition of the boundary of the
Freeway Corridor District be revised to make allowance for these motor
oriented uses that would include the City's major commercial
developments or other areas guided for commercial uses.
Sign Height, The Freeway Corridor District includes allowance for signs with an
area of 200 square feet and up to 50 feet tall to be erected so as to be visible
from TH 101 or 1-94. The height of the freestanding sign as currently allowed in
the Freeway Corridor District was established with an amendment based on the
expected design of the overpass at TH 101 and CSAH 39. The allowed 50 foot
height of the sign was believed to be sufficient to allow a freestanding sign
adjacent to the TH 101 overpass to be visible even if there was a semi-
tractor/trailer crossing the bridge. However, changes to the design of the
overpass during construction increased the height of the bridge such that signs
on adjacent properties may not be as visible as intended. City staff
recommends that the Zoning Ordinance be amended to increase the allowed
height of the signs within the Freeway Corridor District by measuring 20 feet
above the deck of the closest interchange for properties at an elevation below
that of TH 101. City staff will rely on either the development grading plan or
existing topography data that the City has for its entire area to determine allowed
physical height of the sign while capping the maximum height at 70 feet,
whichever is less.
The proposed amendments applicable to the Freeway Corridor District outlined above
are reflected in the proposed language included in the draft Zoning Ordinance
amendment.
Freeway Corridor District Area Identification Signs. Approvals for the Waterfront
East and Great River Center PUD Districts included provisions for consolidation of
freestanding business identification signs for uses within those developments on a sign
located directly adjacent to the TH 101 or 1-94 corridor even for those lots not abutting
the roadway. City staff has been discussing the idea for similar signs to be erected at
the north and south gateways to Otsego along TH 101 and 1-94 in partnership with
surrounding businesses to identify of the individual uses, promote the collective
commercial area and strengthen community identity. These discussions are ongoing as
to implementing this concept but City staff recommends provisions be made within the
Sign Ordinance now to accommodate this type of sign either as may be located by the
City or as a privately initiated action.
Multiple Use Signs. Similar to the idea of a shared sign for the community gateways
along TH 101 and 1-94, there may be opportunities where adjacent commercial
properties either within or outside of the Freeway Corridor District would agree privately
to partner on location of a sign for their respective businesses. In that such a sign
would reduce the total number of individual freestanding signs, the flexibility of such an
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arrangement should be encouraged. City staff recommends language be added to the
Sign Ordinance to allow separate businesses on adjacent lots to collocate on a single
freestanding sign that is accessory to each use.
Secondary Freestanding Signs. Many of the City's commercial properties abut an
arterial roadway but are accessed from local commercial streets. The Sign Ordinance
currently allows only one freestanding sign per property which causes businesses to
choose between erecting a tall sign visible from the major roadway or a sign located to
provide a directional function at the site entrance in addition to business identification.
The City has approved signage plans as part of Planned Unit Development Districts
(Holiday Inn and Great River Centre) that make accommodation for both a tall
freestanding sign for business identification and a smaller, lower freestanding sign for
directional aid. City staff is recommending that the allowance of secondary directional
signs be expanded to business and industrial property to include a smaller secondary
sign located at the business entrance and limited to 64 square feet and a height of 15
feet.
Additional Signs. Businesses such as Denny's have utilized multiple small signs for
advertising purposes and the Otsego businesses requested that signs such as these be
allowed. Because of the signs limited area and height, they are not visible to traffic
much beyond that directly adjacent to the site and thus do not create a significant
distraction for drivers. Furthermore, having these signs located on the private property
prevents any conflict with the City's or County's) use of its right-of-way. City staff has
included language as part of the draft Sign Ordinance amendment that such signs are
to be allowed provided that they are limited to four square feet, three feet in height and
spaced 15 feet apart.
Illumination. LED lighting technology is being expanded into use for illumination of
static message signs as allowed by the Zoning Ordinance. As evidenced by at least
one application in Otsego, the intensity of the LED lighting can be a concern for driver
distraction and aesthetic compatibility. As such, City staff recommends brightness
standards be adopted as part of the Sign Ordinance applicable to all signs within the
City.
RECOMMENDATION
City staff recommends approval of the ordinance amending the Sign Ordinance in the
form attached hereto.
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POSSIBLE ACTIONS
A. Motion to recommend City Council approval of an ordinance amending the Sign
Ordinance in the form attached hereto.
B. Motion to recommend the City Council not amend the Sign Ordinance as
proposed.
C. Lori Johnson, City Administrator
Tam Loff, City Clerk
Andy MacArthur, City Attorney
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ORDINANCE NO.: 2012 -XX
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OTSEGO ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING
SIGNS.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TSEGO DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:
Section 1. Section 20-37-3.1-1 of the City Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
H. Illumination:
1. Illuminated signs shall comply with Section 20-16-10 of this Chapter
and shall be shielded to prevent lights from being directed onto
residential property, or at oncoming traffic in such brilliance that it
impairs the vision of the driver. Nor shall such signs interfere with
or obscure an official traffic sign or signal. This includes indoor
signs which are visible from public streets and highways.
2. No sign may be illuminated in anyway so as to exceed a maximum
intensity of five thousand5.000) NITS during daylight hours or five
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-hundred .(Soo ) NITS from sunset to sunrise measured at the siqn
face at maximum brightness.
3. Signs using fluorescent, neon or incandescent light sources shall
not exceed twelve (12) watts per square foot of sign surface area.
4. All signs installed after [EF ECTIVE DAT-El-ahall be equipped with
a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness to ambient
lightinq conditions to conform to the reauirements of this Section.
5. The owner of any illuminated sign shall provide certification as to
comoliance with Section 11-23-3. H.2 and 3 of this Chapter to the
City uDon re nest by the Zoning Administrator.
Section 2. Section 20-37-5.0 of the City Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
C. Business and Industrial Zoning Districts as defined by Section 20-50-1 of this
Chapter.
21. The total area of all signs displayed on a lot shall not exceed fifteen (15)
percent of the total building 1fagade fronting not more than two (2) public
streets.
32. Freestanding. Not more than one (1) double -sided freestanding sign.
Sign a rea may not exceed one hundred (10 0) square feet each side with a
��s--VVI+I,iII ayr-tant th;4tf:%1- fhe
maximum height of twenty (20)feeLfVIF.I III I F41 t
rl n _Iq r4:1
Urpinuipw Cnr-ricinr D'Or'nt thr% a shall not exce r4 fule huncired
fp of � a h !z id ith a maximu Ot nf fiftu ��j-f-oot ILI IL WI I i I LLY 1 %1 %-' % -
43. Wall, Canopy, or Marquee. Wall, canopy, or marquee signs shall be
permitted on one (2) facade fronting a public street, except in the case of a
corner lot or through lot where wall signs may be installed on two (2)
facades fronting a public street with the area of individual signs n ot to,
exceed one hundred square feet Uh1�%.4fL i 4WMVI WIZ1WIitLI JI
- 1 1,1
ALQ1 I Carrocinr niczfriats th,e are of sicins- install M thin fpopria-
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a t inv a in in ri
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h, incirpri-MM sal lare feet.
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54. Multiple Principal Buildings and Multiple Tenant Buildings. When property
is developed with two (2) or more principal buildings on one property or a
principal building has more than (2) tenants each with an exclusive
exterior entrance, signs shall be allowed subject to review and approval of
the Zoning Administrator based upon the following requirements:
a. A comprehensive sign plan is submitted that includes all of the
following information:
A site plan to scale showing the location of lot lines,
buildings, structures, parking areas, existing and proposed
signs and any other physical features of the area included
within the proposed comprehensive sign plan.
(2) Elevations to scale of buildings included within the
comprehensive sign plan including the location of existing or
proposed wall, canopy or marquee signs.
(3) To scale plans for all existing and proposed signs of any
type included within the comprehensive sign plan indicating
area, dimensions, height, materials, colors and means of
illumination if any).
(4) No permit shall be issued for a new or replacement sign for
an individual use except upon a determination by the Zoning
Administrator that it is consistent with the approved
comprehensive sign plan for the site.
b. One (1) temporary sign as provided for by Section 20-37-4.C.6.a of
this Section shall be allowed for each tenant provided that only one
(1) such sign per property is displayed at any time.
5. Adjoining Properties: Separate commercial and industrial uses on
adjoiniu. es with a common lot line may each locate a sign
"roperti ===e ---on one
(1) freestandina structure subject to approval bv thLe Zoning Administrator,
provided that:
a. The area of each of the individual business simns, shall be
consistent with the apalicable district grovisions in Section 20-37-
5.0 of this Chapter.
b. The height of the freestanding sian ma v be increased by ten 10
feet above the aE2plicable district provisions in Section 20-37-5.0 of
this Chapter.
C. The maximum number of signs displayed on a single structure is
two.2) signs.
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d. No additional freestanding.abns shall be displayed on the individual
properties except secondary freestanding signs as may be allowed
by Section 20-37-5.C.6 of this Chapter.
e. An aareement addressing construction, maintenance, and repair
responsibilities and access rightsis established and filed with the
Wright County recorder against the titles of the two (2) properties
involved in the collocated freestanding sign prior to issuance of a
sign permit. Amendment or cancellation of thea reement shall be
allowed oral y=gpon written approval bv the Zoning Administrator.
I
6. Additional Signs:
a. One M nrlditional double sided freest andin"si n shall be allowed
for lots abutting an arterialorcollector street but to which there is
no drivewav access subiect to the followln
(1) The sign shall be located in a yard abutting the street to
which the lot has access.
(2) The maximum area of the sta shall be sixty four (64) square
feet.
(3) The maximum habht of the abn shall be fifteen (15) feet.
b. Additional double sided sign(s) shall be allowed sub
ject to the
f o I I o&LnZ.
(1) The maximum area of the siga shall be four (4) square feet.
.(2) The maximum height of the *g=n shall be three (3) feet.
(3) The signs shall be setback a minimum of ten (10) feet from
front and side lot lines ands aced a minimum of fifteen
feet between signs.
a
In te) tho c1rinc ,zlinutod hu-Qizatin -27-J r- I thmugh i5
thW%_4P'Oict rIIhQiMr__
-t;nn_One (1) sign shall be allowed on a temporary
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basis subject to the following provisions:
The area of the sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square
feet.
b -.Q Freestanding signs shall not exceed a maximum height of
eight (8) feet.
The sign shall be displayed for not more than twenty-one
21 days days within one (1) calendar year, except by interim use
permit.
Section 2. Section 20-37-6 of the City Code is hereby amended to include the
following provisions:
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F Freeway Corridor District. lyses within business and industrial districts
located within the Freeway Corridor District defined by this subsection
shall be allowed the followin _sins:
1. Boundaries:
a. 1-94 Corridor- The Freewav Corridor District surroundin the
1-4 corridor shall include those arcels located within two
thousand six hundred forty (2.,640) feet of the 1-94 right-of-
way..
b. TH 101 Corridor: The Freeway Corridor District surrounding
the TH 101 corridor shall include thoe parcels meetina�at
bast one 1 of the following criteria:
1) Land located within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the
richt-f-way for TH 101 or land within that area
between the rights-of-way of Quaday Avenue and TH
101 and lands between the riQhts-of-way of Queens
Avenue and TH 10 1, whichever is more restrictive.
Those lots abutting the east right-of-way line of
Queens Avenue between 53rdStreet LQSAH 3 and
7 Street CSAH_37 .
3 Those lots level ed with convenience food, hotel
motor fuel and restaurant uses located between the
rights of way TH 101 of Parrish Avenue River Road
and +uaday Avenue west of TH 101 or located
between the richt of war of River Road and Queens
Avenue east of TH 10 1.
. The total area of ,all signs displayed on a lot shall not exceed fifteen
(15) percent of the total building fa ade fronting not more than two
,R) -public streets.
3. Freestanding.
a. One 1 double -sided freestandinq sin sub'ect to the
following:
(1) The maximum area of the sign shall be two hundred
(200) square feet each side.
(2) The maximum height of the sicin shall be.s
(a) Fifty (50) feet.- or,
Seventy (70) feet or twenty (20) feet above the
elevation of the nearest interchange with TH
101 for properties with an elevation below the
elevation of TH 101 measured at the centerline
of the right-of-wav perpendicular to the gg=n
location, whichever is less.
b. One (1) additional double sided freestanding sign-subiect to
the following:
The sign shall be located in a yard abutting the -street
to which the lot has access.
(2) The maximum area of the §jgn shall be sixtv four (Q4
scivare feet.
(3) The maximum height o- the sign shall be fifteen (1 51
feet.
4. Wall, Canopy, -or Mar uee.
a. Wall, canopy, or marquee sign(sA shall be permitted on one
(I.) facade, except in the case of a corner lot or through lot
where wall signs mart be installed on two (2) facades.
b. The area of individual signs shall not exceed two hundred
(200) square feet.
5. Area Identification Sians: One (1) sign located in a and abWMg
the TH 101 or 1-94 rights-of-way shall be allowed for a minimum of
three (3) or more lots all of which are located within the Free"a
Corridor District provided that:
a. The sign is allowed in lieu of individual signs as provided for
by Section 20-37-6.F.3.a of this Chapter.
b. The maximum area of each sign shall not exceed three
hundred twenty (320) square feet.
C. The maximum haLght of the n shall be:
-�j�
(1 ) Fifty (50) feet; or.,
(2) Seventy (70) feet or twenty (20) feet above the
elevation of the nearest interchange with TH 101 for
properties with an elevation below the elevation of TH
101 measured at the centerline of the right-of�M
peroendicular to the sbn-location, whichever is less.
C. Signs shall be located on outlets or within -private easements
of sufficient size and area to accommodate said structure.
d. An association or other form of deed restriction and
ownership deemed acceptable by City Attorney and
recorded with the title of each prWerty within the d -a �inated
area prior to issuance of a sign permit shall be required,
which shall own and be responsible for the upkeep,
perpetual maintenance, taxes, insurance, utilities and other
costs associated with the sign(s) and the outlot upon which it
is located. The association rules or bv-laws, or similar legal
document, shall specify how the aforementioned sian
responsibilities will be delegated and paid for,
Section 3. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage
and publication.
MOTION BY:
SECOND BY:
ALL IN FAVOR:
THOSE OPPOSED:
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 22nd day of
October, 2012.
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CITY OF OT, EGO
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tauri Loff, City Clerk