HomeMy WebLinkAbout[09d] Sign Moratorium
9(d)
Council Agenda Item
MEETING DATE: November 7, 2013
AGENDA ITEM: Administrator Reports – Sign Moratorium
SUBMITTED BY: Administration/Legal
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The Council had discussed digital signs and the need for the City to review the
current Ordinances to study the impact. At the same time it was suggested that the City place a moratorium on
signs until the study is complete. Therefore, the following Ordinance places a moratorium on signs and directs the
Planning Commission to study the matter and forward a recommendation to the City Council.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT:
ATTACHMENTS:
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Provide direction to staff
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AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A MORATORIUM ON GRANTING APPROVAL
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OR ALTRATION OF ANY SIGN WHICH IS
ILLUMINATED, CONTAINS DIGITAL LIGHTING, CONTAINS ELECTRONIC
LIGHTING, AND/OR CONTAINS DYNAMIC FEATURES WITHIN THE CITY OF ST.
JOSEPH, MINNESOTA.
A. Authority – Pursuant to M.S. Section 462.355, Subd. 4, the City of St. Joseph is
authorized to establish an interim ordinance to regulate, restrict or prohibit any use or
development in all or part of the City while the City is conducting studies, or has
authorized a study to be conducted, or has scheduled a hearing to consider adoption or
amendment of the comprehensive plan or official zoning controls. In furtherance of this
statutory authority, the City has adopted Chapter 52, the zoning ordinance, including
sections 52.11 and 52.27 – 52.32 dealing with the regulation of signs.
B. Findings and Purpose –
1.The City is concerned about the safety effects, aesthetics, and light pollution of
illuminated signs, digital signs, electronic signs, and dynamic signs. Dynamic
signs are defined as those signs with displays that have the ability to feature
changing images and movement. The City is concerned that such signs may be
incompatible with permitted uses in certain zoning districts and may detract from
the desirability of the uses permitted in those districts. In addition, the City is
concerned that such signs may create adverse traffic impacts and safety concerns.
2. As a result of the possible incompatibly of such signs on certain zoning districts
and the safety concerns cited above, the City, through its Planning Commission,
will conduct studies to consider possible amendments to the comprehensive plan
or official zoning controls to address these issues. The City Council finds that
this interim section should be adopted to protect the planning process and the
public health, safety, aesthetics, economic viability and general welfare of the
City.
C. Zoning Study – The Planning Commission is directed to commence a planning
study of the effects of illuminated, digital, electronic and dynamic signs in all zoning
districts and to propose such amendments to the comprehensive plan or official zoning
controls related to such signs that the Planning Commission deems advisable.
D. Restrictions – For a period of one year from the effective date of this section, no
approval for the construction or alteration of any sign which is illuminated, contains
digital lighting, contains electronic lighting, and/or contains dynamic features shall be
granted, except as may be granted based upon hardship. This restriction shall also
prohibit the construction or alteration of any sign which is or illuminated, contains digital
lighting, contains electronic lighting, and/or contains dynamic features. The City Council
specifically reserves the right to extend this section for such additional periods as are
necessary to complete the planning study as allowed by state law.
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E. Hardship – In a case of hardship, any person having a legal or equitable interest in
land and aggrieved by the provisions of this interim section may apply to the City
Council for a waiver of all or a portion of the applicable restrictions as provided herein.
A waiver may be granted where the City Council finds substantial hardship caused by the
restrictions and finds that a waiver will not unduly affect the integrity of the planning
process or the purposes for which the interim section is enacted.
This Ordinance is adopted the day of , 2013, and shall be effective
upon publication.
City of St. Joseph
By
Rick Schultz, Mayor
By:
Judy Weyrens, Administrator
This amendment was published on , 2013.
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RESOLUTION 2013-042
Resolution Approving a Moratorium
On Digital Signs
WHEREAS, the City of St. Joseph, pursuant to M.S. Section 462.355, Subd. 4, is authorized to
establish an interim ordinance to regulate, restrict or prohibit any use or development in all or part of the
City while the City is conducting studies, or has authorized a study to be conducted, or has scheduled a
hearing to consider adoption or amendment of the comprehensive plan or official zoning controls.
WHEREAS, the intent of the proposed Ordinance is to approve a moratorium on granting
approval for the construction or alteration of any sign which is illuminated, contains digital lighting,
contains electronic lighting, and/or contains dynamic features within the City of St. Joseph.
WHEREAS,the Ordinance outlines the concerns the City has about the safety effects, aesthetics,
and light pollution of illuminated signs, digital signs, electronic signs, and dynamic signs.
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED:
1.The City through its Planning Commission, will conduct studies to consider possible
amendments to the comprehensive plan or official zoning controls to address the
issues.
2.The City Council finds that the interim section should be adopted to protect the
planning process and the public health, safety, aesthetics, economic viability and
general welfare of the City.
Adopted this_dayof _________, 2013, by a vote of in favor and opposed.
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
By ______________________________
Rick Schultz, Mayor
By ______________________________
Judy Weyrens, Administrator