HomeMy WebLinkAbout1810-89 - ADMIN Ordinance - City Council - 1989/10/16ORDINANCE NO. 1810-89
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE
ST. LOUIS PARK MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO SIGNS AND
BILLBOARDS, SECTIONS 14-155(3)(d), 14-170(2)(j), and
PARTS OF SECTIONS 14-185 through 14-185.08, AND
AMENDING SECTION II(G)(113) OF THE DIVERSIFIED
DEVELOPMENT GUIDE PLAN
THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK DOES ORDAIN:
Section 1. On August 5, 1987, the Planning Commission reviewed
proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance of the St. Louis Park
Municipal Code and the Diversified Development Guide Plan, relating
to signs and billboards, which amendments eliminate billboards as a
permitted use or structure and modify related portions of the Zoning
Ordinance and the Guide Plan. The Planning Commiss}on also studied
information and reports from previous investigations of the same
issue by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the amendments described below and attached
to this Ordinance.
Section 2. The Planning Commission's discussion and
recommendation was reflected in its minutes and was submitted to the
City Council at its regular meeting on August 17, 1987. Notice was
given that a public hearing on said amendments would be held at the
City Council's regular meeting on September 21, 1987.
Section 3. In accordance with the requirements of the Zoning
Ordinance and Minnesota Statutes, the following sections of the
Zoning Ordinance of -the St. Louis Park Municipal Code are amended as
attached:
Amendments:
Sections 14-185.02(1); 14-185.03; 14-185.03(2);
14-185.04(1)(b)(i); 14-185.04(1)(b)(ii)(a);
14-185.04(1)(b)(ii)(b)(i)-(ii); 14-185.04(6);
14-185.04(6)(b); 14-185.04(7); 14-185.05.
Additions: Sections 14-185-.03(2)(f) and (g);
14-1-85.04(2) (c); -14-7-8-5.050).
Deletions:
Sections 14-185.03(3)(c); 14-185.05(1);
14-185.05(1)(a), (c), (d), (e), and (g);
14-185.05(2); 14 -185.05(2)(a) -(g);
14-185.05(3); 14-185.05(3)(a);
14-185.05(3)(a)(i);
14-185.05(3)(a)(iii)(1)-(4); 14-185.06(1);
14-185.06(2).
Renumbered: From:
14-185.03(d)
14-185.03(e)
14-185.05(1)(b)
14-185.05(1)(f)
14-185.05(2)(h)
14-185.05(2)(1)
14-185.05(3)(a)(ii)
14-185.06(1)(a)
14-185.06(1)(b)
14-185.06(2)(a)
14-185.06(2)(a)(i)
14-185.06(2)(a)(ii)
14-185.06(2)(a)(iii)
14-185.06(2)(a)(iv)
14-185.06(2)(a)(b)
To:
14-185.03(c)
14-185.03(d)
14-185.05(3)(a)
14-185.05(3)(b)
14-185.05(3)(c)
14-185.05(3)(d)
14-185.05(3) (e)
14-185.05(1)
14-185.05(2)
14-185.06(1)
14-185.06(1)(a)
14-185.06(1)(b)
14-185.06(1)(c)
14-185.06(1)(d)
14-185.06(2)
ST. LOUIS PARK ZONING ORDINANCE
SIGN/BILLBOARD REGULATIONS
Section 14-185. Signs
Section 14-185.01. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to
establish minimum requirements, adopted to protect the public
health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the people
through regulations governing all signs in the City of St. Louis
Park. The sign regulations are intended to permit an efficient,
effective and aesthetic means to communicate using signage while
recognizing the need to maintain an attractive and appealing
appearance in the community, residential, commercial, industrial,
institutional and public development and the air space above and
between such development.
These regulations are intended to permit adequate signage for
effective communication while minimizing or preventing visual
clutter and visual pollution which can be caused by signage.
Section 14-185.02. Definitions. The following terms, as used in
this seciton are defined as follows:
(1)
Billboards. An off -premises sign which is erected and
in use for the purpose of selling advertising space or
which advertises products, goods, or services, or
events relating thereto.
(2) Changing Sign. A sign which has a message which can be
changed, either by manual or automatic means.
(3) Construction Sign. A temporary sign placed on a con-
struction site which identifies the project,
architects, engineer, contractor, financier or other
involved parties.
(4) Directional Sign. An on -premises sign designed to guide
or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(5) Flashing Sign. Any illuminated sign which emits an
intermittent or f7 aRh i ng fight or which creates the
illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means
of animation or an externally mounted intermittent
light source, but not including changing signs.
(6) Free Standing Sign. A sign which is primarily sup-
ported by uprights placed upon the ground.
(7) Height. The distance measured perpendicularly from the
highest point of the sign structure to the grade level
(8)
(9)
directly below the sign or the grade level of the
center line of the nearest adjacent roadway, whichever
grade level is higher.
Illuminated Sign. Any sign which has characters,
letters, figures, designs, or outlines which are
internally illuminated by electric lights or tubes or
by other artificial light directed to the sign.
Sign. Any visual message including any announcement,
declaration, demonstration, display, illustration,
insignia or illumination used to identify, direct,
inform, warn, advertise or promote the interests of any
person when displayed out of doors in view of the
general public, and shall include but not be limited
to any symbol, flag, pennant, picture, wording,
figures, or other form of graphics painted on or
attached to or part of any building, marquee, canopy,
awning, street clock, pole, parked vehicle, window,
wall or freestanding structures or structures suspended
in the air, or on any person, animal, plant, or
vehicle, whether stationary or movable. For purposes
of maintenance or removal, the word sign shall also
include frames and support structure.
a) On Premises Sign. A sign whose message is
related to the premises on which the sign is
located or the activity and use occurring on
the premises.
b) Off Premises Sign. A sign whose message is
not related to the premises on which the
sign is located or the activity and use
---occurring on the premises.
Political Sign. A temporary sign which advertises or
promotes a candidate for public office or an issue to
be considered in an election.
Portable Sign. A sign which is constructed of durable
materials and designed to be readily moved from one
location to another.
Private Warning Sign. Any sign which includes no
advertising and which is placed or erected on private
property for the purpose of regulating, warning, or
guiding traffic or persons, or for the purpose of pro-
viding other safety information.
1
1
(13) Project Informtion Sign. A sign that is displayed
temporarily with the approval of the City Council by a
business establishment or group of business
establishments adjacent to and affected by a
construction project that is underway on a roadway or
in an approved development district for the purpose of
directing traffic and conveying to the public that the
establishment or group of establishments is open for
business.
(14) Public Sign. Any traffic control sign as defined in the
Highway Traffic Regulation Act or any other regulatory,
informational or warning sign approved by the City
Council for installation on public land.
(15) Real Estate Sign. A sign which pertains to the sale,
lease or rental of land and/or building and is located
on property to which it pertains.
(16) Rooftop Sign. A sign attached upon any flat, hip, gable
roof or upon any mansard roof above the deck line or
any sign attached to any building in any other manner
so as to allow more than 10% of its area to extend
above the wall or parapet wall of that side of the
building.
(17) Rotating Sign. A sign or portion of a sign which moves
in a revolving, oscillating or similar manner but not
including changing signs.
(18) Sign Area. The area within the frame or frames of the
sign on which the message is conveyed and which is used
to calculate the square footage of the sign. Any frame
that exceeds twelve inches in width shall be counted as
sign area. The countable sign area of a sign that is
mounted directly -on -a- wall,--fascia-or-in-some other way
as to be without a frame, or is not a common form whose
surface area is easily calculable shall be the square
footage of the area bounded by straight lines around
the periphery of the sign connecting its outermost
points.
The countable sign area of a multiple face or
volumetric free-standing sign shall be determined by
taking -one-half of i -t -s total. -sign -area.
The maximum aggregate or total sign area on a lot shall
include the countable area of all signs, except that
real estate, temporary, political, private warning and
construction signs and non -advertising portion of
directional signs shall be exempt from total sign area
requirements.
(19) Supergraphic. Any mosaic, mural, painting or graphic
art or combination thereof which is professionally
4
applied to a building and which does not contain any
brand name product, letters of the alphabet, spelling
or abbreviation of any product, company, profession or
business, or any logo or any commercial message.
(20) Temporary Sign. A sign designed to be displayed for a
limited period of time that may be constructed of
paper, cloth, canvas, cardboard or any other light and
non -durable material.
(21) Wall Sian. All signs painted on the exterior surface of
a building or structure, and all flat signs of solid
face construction which are placed against a building
or other structure and attached to the exterior front,
rear or side wall of any building or other structure.
Section 14-185.03. General Provisions. Signs are a permitted
accessory use in all Use Districts subject to the following
regulations and the standards set forth in Section 14-185.08,
Table A.
(1) Setbacks. All signs except real estate, directional,
construction, private warning and political signs must
comply with the setback yard regulations applicable to
that zoning district, provided that a sign and its
superstructure may extend into the required setback
yard areas a distance not to exceed eighteen inches.
Placement of real estate, directional, construction and
political signs shall comply with Section 14-185.04.
Signs can be placed on the face of legally existing
canopies or on the front or side walls of legally
constructed buildings which do not meet the current
ordinance requirements relative to front and side
yards— Real_estate, directional, construction and
political signs shall comply with the setback
requirements set forth in Section 14-185.04.
(2) Prohibited Signs. The following signs are prohibited:
(a) Flashing signs are prohibited in the R-1, R-2, R-3,
R-4, R -B and B-1 and residential PUD districts.
(b) All signs are_prohibited on or over the public
right-of-way or right-of-way easement, except the City
Council may grant permission for a temporary sign on or
over the right-of-way for a period not to exceed 10
days.
(c) Illuminated signs emitting a beam consisting of a
collection or concentration of rays of light are
prohibited in all districts. This includes, but is not
limited to, search lights, beacons and strobe lights.
(d) Roof top signs are prohibited
in all districts.
(3)
(e) Rotating signs are prohibited in all districts.
(f) Billboards are prohibited in all districts.
(g) Off -premises signs are prohibited in all districts
except as regulated in Section 14-185.04(2)(d).
Exemptions. The following signs are exempt from the
provisions of this Ordinance:
(a) Public signs
(b) Private warning signs
(c) The United States flag, other national flags, the
flags of all the states of the United States and the
St. Louis Park flag
(d) Project information signs
(4) Supergraphics. Supergraphics are permitted in all
districts
(5) Parking Areas. Signs shall not be placed in or restrict
access to required parking spaces or loading berths.
(6) Free-standing Signs. Not more than one free-standing
sign, excluding construction, directional, real estate,
political, private warning or temporary signs, shall be
permitted on an individual street frontage on a lot.
(7) Multi -tenant Building. The property owner shall be
responsible for allocating the allowable sign area
among the tenants of multi -tenant buildings. In the
event that the owner does not allocate the sign _area,
the City may do so based on the relative floor area or
tenant frontage.
Sign as a Structure. A sign is a structure or a part of
a structure for the purpose of applying yard
regulations.
Planned Unit Development. For property located in a PUD
District, signs shall be _permitted and _regulated
according to a final general PUD plan and related
documents. If the PUD plan does not contain an approved
sign plan, the signs shall be regulated by the zoning
district.
(10) Symbols, Statutes, Sculptures Symbols, statues,
sculptures and integrated architectural features on
buildings may be illuminated provided the direct source
of light is not visible from the public right-of-way or
adjacent residential property.
Section 14-185.04. Special Provisions.
(1) Real estate and rental signs are regulated as follows:
(a) Real estate signs less than 40 feet per face and
less than 10 feet in height are exempt from the setback
requirements.
(b) Real estate signs are subject to the following time
limits:
(i)
For sale signs: Height and area as set forth
in Section 14-185.08, Table A, no time limit
(ii) Rental signs
(a) Located in R-1, R-2, R-3 District: Height
and area as set forth in Section
14-185.08, Table A, no time limit
(b) Located in R-4, R -B, B-1, B-2, B-3, All
I, PUD and DDD Districts:
(i) If the building is new, recently
sold, 50% vacant or substantially
remodeled, height and area as set
forth in Section 14-185.08, Table
A, 12 -month time limit.
(ii) If the building is not new, not
recently sold, not at least 50%
vacant or not substantially re-
modeled, 1/4 of the area as set
forth in Section 14-185.08, Table
A, no time limit.
(c) Real estate signs are exempt from the total
area requirements.
sign
(2) Temporary signs are regulated as follows:
(a) Temporary signs other than political signs,
construction signs and real estate signs may be
permitted on a lot no more than four times in any
calendar year -for a time period not exceeding a total
of 30 days in any calendar year.
(b) The total sign area of all temporary signs on a
parcel shall not exceed 25% of the total allowable sign
area for that parcel or 60 sq. ft., whichever is
greater.
(c) The advertisement contained on any temporary sign
shall pertain only to the business, industry or pursuit
conducted on or within the premises on which such sign
(3)
(6)
is erected or maintained, except as
14-185.08(2)(d).
(d) Off -premises temporary signs of
or religious nature are exempt
185.03(1).
provided in Section
a civic, political
from Section 14 -
Political signs are regulated as follows:
(a) Political signs may be placed in the
setback.
required
(b) No sign shall be placed on a public right-of-way or
any publicly owned property including bbulevard trees
and utility poles.
(c) No sign shall have more than two faces. The total
square footage of sign area on one lot shall not exceed
64 square feet in area.
(d) No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct vision at
an intersection or to otherwise constitute a hazard to
public safety.
(e) Signs shall be allowed to be left standing after a
primary election if there is another election to
follow; however, in any election which is not a
primary, all political signs shall be removed within
five days after such an election.
A directional sign placed in the setback shall not
exceed 8 sq. ft. in sign area per face nor 42 inches in
height and shall not display any advertising.
Construction signs are regulated as follows:
(a) Construction signs less than 40 feet per face and
less than 10 feet in height are exempt from the setback
requirements.
(b) Construction areas are exempt from the total sign
area requirements.
(c) Construction -signs shall be -removed-prior -to -the
issuance of the final occupancy permit.
"R" Residence Districts. Within the "R" Districts the
following signs are permitted subject to the area and
height limits set forth in Section 14-185.08, Table A:
(a) One name plate sign for each dwelling which shall
not exceed two surfaces. Such sign may indicate the
name of the occupant, address of the occupant and the
type of home occupation, if any.
(b) Permitted uses which are not residential may have
one sign which shall not exceed six sq. ft. in area per
surface except as provided in Section 14-185.08, Table
A. Signs may be permitted by special permit for public
parks and playgrounds, churches, synagogues, public
libraries, public museums, public art galleries, public
and parochial schools, municipal buildings, golf
courses, country clubs, community centers, colleges,
universities, private schools!, hospitals and
sanitariums based on the followingdesign criteria and
other conditions the City Council may require in its
discretion:
(i) Size - The size shall be proportional to the size
of the facility, need for signage, frontage on
street(s), location, visibility, and development in the
area. The maximum size per street frontage should not
exceed 60 sq. ft. per sign surface with a maximum area
of 120 sq. ft. per single sign.
(ii) Height - No free-standing sign shall exceed 15 ft.
in height.
(iii) Lighting -
(a) Lighting shall be indirect or it shall be
backlighting.
(b) Exposed neon lighting, flashing illuminated
and/or rotating illuminated signs shall be
prohibited.
(iv) Design - Signs attached to the building shall
be integrated with the building design and
architecture in --terms of—materials, colors
lighting and placement; signs not attached to
the buildings shall be architecturally
treated and coordinated with the principal
building by use of compatible materials and
design.
(v) Location - No free-standing sign shall be lo-
cated less than 25 feet from any street right -
of way_line , and -signs under this section are
not subject to setback requirements based on
building height.
(vi) Sign Purpose - The principal purpose of the
sign permitted under this Section shall be to
identify the public or institutional use made
of the property.
Bonus Rule. When a sign meets certain bonus criteria,
additional square footage will be allowed in the
computation of the maximum square footage for any one
sign as set forth in Section 14-185.08, Table A. When
applying the bonus footage, at least 50% of the sign
area must meet the applicable bonus provisions. Bonuses
granted because of compliance with bonus criteria must
be used in the sign area which meets that bonus criteria.
Bonuses shall not be used to permit sign area to exceed
the maximum aggregate or total sign area allowed in
Section 14-185.08, Table A.
The' Bonus Rule does not apply to lots located in R-1,
R-2, R-3 or R-4 districts. In addition, R -B lots, equal
to or less than 20,000 sq. ft., are not eligible for__.
bonus footage.
(a) Script. Extra square footage will be allowed when
the lettering on the sign is composed of letters with
the stroke (length) of the letter that is at least ten
times greater than the width.
(b) Consistent with Architecture. Extra square footage
shall be allowed when a sign is permanently mounted or
fixed to the building and the materials, form, color
and related elements are consistent with the
architecture. Plastic letters attached to the building
do not qualify for bonus footage under this section.
(c) No Illumination. Extra square footage shall be
allowed when the background of the sign is not
illuminated. Individual letter or logo illumination and
backlighted letters shall not prevent a sign from
qualifying for bonus footage under this Section.
Section 14-185.05. Non -conforming Signs. All signs, legally
existing on the effective date of this ordinance which are not in
conformance with the provisions_of_this_ordinance,_are_subject to
certain restrictions regarding alterations, repairs and
continued use and existence of the sign structure as described in
Section 14-106 of the zoning ordinance. In addition, non-
conforming signs are subject to the following provisions:
(1)
(2)
On -Premises Signs. On -premises signs which do not
conform to this ordinance shall be allowed to continue
through January 1, 2000 but shall not be rebuilt,
relocated, replaced or altered without being brought
into compliance with all the requirements of this
ordinance prior to January 1, 2000 except that on -
premises signs existing at the time of the adoption of
this ordinance shall not be replaced or repaired if
damaged beyond 50% of the original value of the signs.
Real Estate, Portable and Temporary Signs. Real estate,
portable and temporary signs which do not conform to
this ordinance will be removed or made to conform
within 30 days of the effective date of this ordinance.
10
(3)
Billboards
(a) Flashing signs on billboards are not permitted in
any district.
(b) Changing signs are prohibited, except those signs
which display only one or a combination of the
following: time, temperature and stock market indices.
(c) The maximum size for
extensions, is 300 square
and West Lake Street; 450
Boulevard and Minnetonka
other permitted locations.
billboards, including all
feet along Cedar Lake Road
square feet along Excelsior
Boulevard; and 750 feet in
(d) The maximum height for billboards shall be 35 feet,
including extensions, as measured in accordance with
Section 13-723(3)(a) of the Ordinance Code.
(e) Billboards which have been destroyed or damaged
must be removed or made to conform with the ordinance
requirements when the cost of repair equals more than
50% of the appraised physical value of the entire
structure, including supports and extensions.
Section 14-185.06. Enforcement.
(1)
(2)
Penalty. The penalty for violating any provision of
this ordinance shall be as follows:
(a) Any person installing or maintaining any sign not
in conformance with any statement of plan duly
submitted and approved under this ordinance shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) Any person installing or maintaining a "prohibited"
sign" shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(c) Any
violation
guilty of
(d) Any
violation
ordinance
Equitable
construed
equitable
violation
person installing or maintaining a sign in
of the yard regulations shall be deemed
a misdemeanor.
person installing or maintaining a sign in
of the regulations contained in this
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
Remedies. Nothing in this ordinance shall be
to prevent the court from granting any
relief that it deems appropriate for a
of this ordinance.
Section 14-185.07(a). Violation and Penalty. Any person
violating any provision of this ordinance shall be found guilty
of a misdemeanor and penalized as defined in Section 2-203 of
11
this Code.
Section 14-185.07(b). Severability. Any part of Sections 14-185
through 14-185.06 which is in conflict with any act of Congress,
any rule of any Federal agency or any State statute shall be
deemed void without affecting the remaining provisions of
Sections 14-185 through 14-185.06.
Section 14-185.08. Table A (next page).
Section 4. Section 14-155 of the Zoning Ordinance of the St.
Louis Park Municipal Code is amended as follows:
Deletion: Section 14-155(3) is amended by deleting the following
as a permitted use in the B-2 Business District:
(d) Billboards.
Addition: A new Section 14-155(3)(d) is added to the Zoning
Ordinance to read as follows:
(d) (Space reserved)
Section 5. Section 14-170 of the Zoning Ordinance of the St.
Louis Park Municipal Code is amended as follows:
Deletion: Section 14-170(2) is amended by deleting the following
as a permitted use in the I-1 Industrial District
Addition: A new Section 14-170(2)(j) is added to the Zoning
ordinance to read as follows:
(j) (Space reserved)
Section 6. The Diversified Development_District Guide _Plan
implemented through Section 14-124(2) of the Zoning Ordinance of
the St. Louis Park Municipal Code, is amended as follows:
Deletion: Section II(G) is amended by deleting the following
as a use permitted by special permit in the
Diversified Development District:
(113) Billboards
Addition: A new Section II(G)(113) is added to the Diversified
Development District Guide to read as follows:
(113) (Space reserved)
Section 7. This ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication.
Adopted by the City Council October 16, 1989
�� //Lt
Ma r
Reviewed for Administration Approved as to form and execution
0/, e. ,J/Z11.1
City Manager
City At rney
Minnesota Suburban Newspapers
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
City of St. Louis Park
(Official Publication)
OTHESUMMARY
ORDINANCE NO 1810-89
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE
STATE OF MINNESOTA) STZONIN PARK A IEIOFL CODE
RELATING TO SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS,
SECTION'S 14155(3)(M, 14-170(2)(J), AND
14-185 08, COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) PARTS OFsEcTioDNs AMENDTHc UGH
SECTION 1I(g)(113) OF -THE DIVERSIFIED '
DEVELOPMENT GUIDE PLAN
Gregory P t a c i n ,
being duly sworn on an oath says that he/she i Summary This ordinance amends the St
Louis Park Zoning Ordinance eliminating'
billboards as a permitted _use and modifies
related portions of the Zomn Ordinance and the
the publisher or authorized agent and employee of the publisher of the newspaper known a Guide Plan g,
Effective Date prdmance shall take effect
15 days after itis - lbhcgtion
Adopted by th trG`bunct[ October 16, 1989
/s/ LYLE W HANKS I
Mayor 1
(The full text of this ordinance is available for in
stated below spection with the City Clerk )
(Oct 25, 1989) -SLP
ss
St. Louis Park Sailor , and has full knowledge of the facts which a
(A) The newspaper has complied with all of the requirements constituting qualification as a qualified newspaper,
as provided by Minnesota Statute 331A 02, 331A 07, and other applicable laws, as amended
(B) The printed Ordinance N o . 1810-89
which is attached was cut from the columns of said newspaper, and was printed and published once each week,
for one successive weeks, it was first published on We d n e s d a y , the 25 day
Sof October, 19 8 9 , and was thereafter printed and published on every
to
and including , the day of , 19 , and printed below is
a copy of the lower case alphabet from A to Z, both inclusive, which is hereby acknowledged as being the size
and kind of type used in the composition and publication of the notice
a bcdefghijklmnopgrstuvwxyz
Acknowledged before me on this
30 day of ,�'ctober 19 89
No
MERIDE M HEDBLOM
NOTARY PUBLIC—MINNESOTA
HENNEPIN COUNTY
MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 7-2.112
BY.
TITLE Gene ra I Manager
RATE INFORMATION
(1) Lowest classified rate paid by commercial users
for comparable space
(2) Maximum rate allowed by law for the above matter
(3) Rate actually charged for the above matter
$ 100 per line
(Line, word, or inch rate)
$ 5906 per line
(Line, word, or inch rate)
$ 5376 per line
(Line, word, or inch rate)