02-25-1998 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 12, 1998 Motion seconded by Knudsen. Motion carried 6 — 0. ZONING The City Planner summarized previous Commission discussion ORDINANCE relative to an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance addressing off - premise AMENDMENT real estate signs. The existing code allows off - premise signs on private OFF - PREMISE property by Conditional Use Permit. Given the expense and process REAL ESTATE involved for a Conditional Use Permit, the Commission felt an SIGNS administrative permit might be more appropriate. As a result, the Planner indicated that he has prepared an ordinance which would allow off - premise real estate signs by administrative permit and which limits the time period during which these signs can be up. The Planner reported that the Cities of Falcon Heights and Roseville do not allow off- premise signs. However, these cities do not enforce the code with regard to off - premise real estate signs unless they receive a complaint. The City of Maplewood allows off- premise real estate signs in the public right -of -way subject to some distance restrictions and restricting the time period these signs can be up. The Planner reported that Maplewood's ordinance is similar to a model ordinance that the St. Paul Board of Realtors supports. Keis expressed concern that the Maplewood ordinance would allow off - premise real estate signs in the public right -of -way, essentially in front of someone's house without the permission of the property owner. Keis pointed out that there are some corners in the City that could have numerous signs. Carson suggested that the ordinance be amended so that City staff is not burdened with processing permits. Carson suggested that off - premise signs be permitted on private property, resulting in the realtor having to get permission of the property owner in order to put up a sign. The City Planner stated that technically the ordinance cannot be limited to real estate signs. The Planner pointed out that currently the ordinance only allows off - premise signs by Conditional Use Permit. The decision for the Commission are first whether to allow off - premise signs at all; secondly, whether to allow then in the right -of -way or limit them to private property; and third, if allowed, the process that would be required. Carson again stated that his feeling was that off - premise signs should be allowed on private property with the permission of the property owner and 6 Page 32