01-28-1998 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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NXC MEMORANDUM NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS COMMUNITY PLANNING - DESIGN MARKET RESEARCH TO: Little Canada Planning Commission FROM: Stephen Grittman - DATE: January 6, 1998 RE: Little Canada - Amendment to Sign Ordinance - Signs in Right -of -Way FILE NO: 758.09 - 98.04 - Gordie Howe of Masterpiece Homes has requested consideration of an amendment to the City's Sign Ordinance which would permit temporary real estate signs to be located in the right -of -way. Currently, the City's ordinance includes a clause which specifically prohibits the use of the public right -of -way for any signs except for governmental signs. Amending this provision would facilitate the real estate industry's ability to place such signs without having to gain approval from a private property owner in the vicinity of the proposed sign location. This approval is a condition of any Conditional Use Permit consideration for off- site directional signs, as requested by Masterpiece Homes in a companion application. This proposal has both potential benefits and drawbacks. There would appear to be little difference in impact between allowing such signs at the corners of two streets, whether the sign is place on the right -of -way, or slightly onto the private property at the intersection. Since the City issues Conditional Use Permits for such requests, there would appear to be a slight advantage in enforcement and control of illegally placed signs. The City can simply pick up non - permitted signs in the right -of -way, whereas illegal signs on private property may require additional process, such as citations by the Sheriff. However, the City can pick up illegally placed signs in the right -of -way without this amendment, so there may be no advantage on this point. Page 26 5775 WAYZATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 555 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 554 16 PHONE 6 1 2- 595-9636 FAX 6 1 2-595-9837