08-09-2018 Planning Commission Packet

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STAFF REPORT TO: Planning Commission Members FROM: Jessica Jagoe, Associate Planner DATE: August 3, 2018 RE: Public District Signage Allowance The City has recently received requests from the Little Canada Fire Department and a couple of the schools to install additional freestanding or building signage on their property. In each instance, the property is already at the maximum signage allowed under the Public District regulations with an existing sign. As a result, they are unable to proceed with their plans for additional signage. The following is the code language applicable for properties zoned “P” – Public - City Code - 903.110.E.1: 1."R-1" and "R-2" Residential Districts, and “P” Public District: a.Institutional or area identification signs (monument type only), provided that the gross square footage of sign area does not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in the “R-1” and “R-2 Districts, and thirty-two (32) square feet in the “P” District. If the sign is freestanding, the height shall not exceed eight (8) feet. Due to these requests, planning staff completed a survey of surrounding communities to see what other cities were allowing (see attached). The square footage of signage allowed seems to run the gamut from similar to ours then to no limitations. In all three cases where we’ve had a request to install additional signage it is a corner property meaning they have double frontage on two streets. In all of the instances, the signage being considered is far below what would be allowed on a commercial property with the same frontage. However, planning staff believes that “public” entities (i.e. government buildings, schools, churches) do not necessarily need the same extent of advertising signage as a commercial property. Instead we feel it is appropriate to consider increasing the square footage of signage allowed to an amount somewhere in between. Scenarios to consider would be - •increasing signage square footage allowed •allowing additional signage when there is double frontage •allowing specific sizes based on type of signage (i.e. wall or freestanding) Based on some of the recent discussions around “Public” signage and the survey results, planning staff has included with this report a proposed ordinance amendment to consider. Please be aware that the square footage proposed is an arbitrary number. The wall sign proposed by the Little Canada Fire Department would be 45 square feet (they are at the maximum 32 square feet with existing monument). The square footage proposed is open for discussion and staff will revise based on the Planning Commission’s recommendations.