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C FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- November 24, 2004 Discussion on ordinance change relating to Bus Bench Signs (continued) Mayor Gehrz introduced Messrs. Rollie and Scott Danielson, the owners/operators of U.S. Bench Company and thanked them for being in attendance. Administrator Worthington said that in early April, staff notified U.S. Bench they were in violation of a city ordinance that prohibits advertising signs in the right of way. This enforcement action was the result of a citizen complaint about the location of a bus bench adjacent to the resident's property. At the May 5, 2004 meeting, the Council enacted a six month moratorium on the installation of any new bus bench signs in the city to give staff time to research the issue and come back to the Council with a recommendation. At the September 22°d meeting, staff requested an extension of this moratorium to November 24th Staff researched the approaches other cities take with this issue, and their recommendation is outlined below. Ordinance Recommendations: 1. Definition: A courtesy or bus bench sign is a waiting bench for the convenience of the • public waiting for a regularly scheduled public transportation at a scheduled Metro Transit Bus Stop m the city. 2. Location: Courtesy or bus bench signs may be located on public property when adjacent to commercial or business property (B-1, B-2, B-3), and may be placed on private property in commercial or business property (B-l, B-2, B-3) when permission is obtained from the owner of the land, and a license is granted by the city in accordance with this section. No courtesy or bench signs may be located in residential areas (R-l, R-2, R-3 or R-4 zoning districts). 3. Specifications: Each bench location must be approved by the city zoning administrator. Benches must be installed parallel with the curb. 4. A bench must have displayed thereon, in a conspicuous place, the license number assigned to it. 5. The licensee must maintain the bench at the location designated in the license and keep the bench in good repair, painted, the sign face maintained in good condition, and the bench structure kept in usable condition. Optional provisions: 1. Several cities limit the size and height of benches-for instance, the City of Crystal, limits them to no more than 42 inches high, 30 inches wide or seven feet long. 2. Several cities regulate the advertising to not allow the words "STOP", "LOOK", "DRIVE-IN", "DANGER" or "any other word, phrase or symbol which might interfere with, mislead or distract traffic". (Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center).