HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 18 - CC Report Sign Ord Denial; 6-2-15
MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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DATE: June 9, 2015 REGULAR ITEM # 18 AGENDA ITEM: Zoning Text Amendment – Freeway Signs, Written Findings for Denial
SUBMITTED BY: Nick M. Johnson, City Planner
THROUGH: Dean Zuleger, City Administrator
REVIEWED BY: Kyle Klatt, Community Development Director Dave Snyder, City Attorney
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS:
- Introduction of Item .....................................Community Development Director
- Report/Presentation………………………...Community Development Director
- Questions from Council to Staff ............................................. Mayor Facilitates
- Call for Motion ............................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Discussion ....................................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Action on Motion .................................................................... Mayor Facilitates POLICY RECCOMENDER: Staff
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: The City Council is being asked to formally approve written findings of denial of a Zoning Text Amendment request submitted by Rhim Kenworth to amend the City’s Sign Ordinance to allow freeway signs. The recommended motion to take action on the request is as follows:
“Move to adopt Resolution No. 2015-53, denying the request to amend the City’s Sign
Ordinance to allow freeway signs on commercial properties within close proximity to I-94 Corridor.”
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY/STAFF REPORT: The City Council reviewed the request to amend the Sign Ordinance at a meeting on May 5, 2015. At the meeting, a motion to approve the requested Zoning Text Amendment failed (Vote: 3-2). Once the motion failed, the Council was informed that written findings for denial would be required as the request was submitted by
City Council Meeting [Regular Agenda Item 18]
June 9, 2015
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an external applicant, as opposed to an internal City action. The attached resolution represents a
synthesis of the Council’s reported findings for denial and clarifies them as the written findings needed for the official record. As part of the discussion by the Council on May 5th, two findings were highlighted that
supported the decision to not approve the requested amendment to the Sign Ordinance.
1) The fact that the planning effort of the Gateway Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project remains incomplete at this time adds to the uncertainty surrounding the Hudson Blvd. area of the I-94 Corridor. The majority of the Council noted that decisions on
commercial signage in the corridor should be postponed until there is greater certainty
over the land use, design and character/aesthetics of the Gateway Corridor BRT. It was also stated that commercial signage along Hudson Blvd. could be reevaluated once the Gateway Corridor BRT planning process is complete.
2) While the Comprehensive Plan does support commercial growth in the I-94 Corridor,
maintaining a rural community is also an identified goal of the City’s Land Use Plan.
Based on the discussion by the Council, the majority determined that increased allowance of commercial signage visible to I-94 is not consistent with the City’s goal of maintaining a rural community.
It is based on these two findings discussed by the Council that staff has drafted written findings
for denial of the Zoning Text Amendment for consideration by the City Council. The written
findings are found in the attached resolution. RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the above Staff Report, Staff is recommending that the City Council approve written
findings of fact for the denial of the request to amend the City’s Sign Ordinance. The suggested motion to adopt the Staff recommendation is as follows: “Move to adopt Resolution No. 2015-53, denying the request to amend the City’s Sign Ordinance to allow freeway signs on commercial properties within close proximity to I-94 Corridor.” ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 2015-53