Agenda Packets - 2010/08/02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Temporary Signage Staff Report August 2, 2010 Page 2 h. signs are generally incompatible with residential uses and should be strictly limited in residential zoning districts; i. the right to express opinions in any zoning district must be protected, subject to reasonable restrictions on size, height, location and number. j. the City does not intend to nor does it propose to regulate the message on any sign; k. the City intends to protect the public from the dangers of unsafe signs. Discussion: The City Code regulates the use of all signs – including temporary signage. Temporary signs include banners, beacons, changeable copy/portable signs, inflatable signs, flag or pennant stringers and window signs that are affixed to the outside of the window. Many businesses in Mounds View regularly use various styles of temporary signs – the most commonly used are banners and portable signs (example - the black, approximately 4’x6’, signs that are delivered on a trailer, freestanding on legs and typically use fluorescent colored lettering for the messages). The sign code states that all temporary signs require a “temporary sign permit” which allows a business to have a temporary sign for 21 days. An exception is real estate signs that are located on the property that is for sale/lease. Each business is then allowed to have 3 temporary sign permits per calendar year, which equals 63 days of possible temporary signage use. Only 1 temporary sign is allowed on a property at a time. With the downturn of the economy, the use of temporary signs has increased in the last couple of years, but they are used frequently every year. Monitoring the use and permitting of temporary signage is an on-going battle for staff. Below is a list of the main issues that staff deals with regarding temporary signage:  Businesses not getting permits for temporary signs – this is an on-going issue with a few businesses  Businesses ignoring contact/letters from the City requesting the business to get a sign permit or to remove the sign  Not taking down the sign when the permit expires – sometimes this is the sign company’s fault if they don’t pick up the sign when the permit expires  Business putting out sandwich boards or ground signs only during operating hours  Multi-tenant buildings (Mounds View Square in particular) that has temporary signs non- stop on the property because several of the tenants use these signs. The businesses are applying for sign permits for time periods that are 1-2 months out  Multiple temporary signs on one property at the same time  Signs are placed in the public right-of-way Staff researched temporary signage codes in other communities. The following is the current Mounds View temporary sign code and other cities’ requirements: