2000-08-01 P & Z Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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, . , COLOR SIGN SERVICE MIDWEST, INC. DATE: 7/27/00 NAME: Jim Marsh REGARDING: Sign Ordinance Information as requested COLOR SIGN SERVICE MIDWEST, INe. P.O. BOX #124 11096 61ST STREET NE. ALBERTVILLE, MINNESOTA 55301 PHONE (612)497-1374 FAX (612)497-1375 Dear Jim, Attached is the information that you requested along with a copy of the Forest Lake ordinance (hard to understand and interpret). I have photo surveyed a number of signs in your area and have written down their square footages so that you can get a frame of reference as to the size, height and setbacks. Attached is a comparison chart of sign ordinances that we had on file but it is a good fit for Centerville. The communities listed are similar in size and almost all are located adjacent to a freeway. It should give you a good comparison to draw from. The sample ordinance will give you all the verbiage and descriptions that you will need for a good ordinance that is easy to understand and fair in proportion to different types of signage. This includes billboards, if you want to address that issue. You might want to get someone from the Eller Outdoor or Adams Outdoor involved to get you some insight on that industry. I can give you names and numbers t'J call if you so desire. After working these past 30 years with most of the cities in this area, the average maximum square footage is between 150 and 300 square feet for a free standing sign. The setbacks are generally between 10 and 15 feet from the property line. The maximum height of the sign averages about 30 feet from the average grade of the road in front of the sign location. This takes care of the hills and valleys. The typical maximum square footage for wall signage is usually 15% of the building front. The square footage for the pylon is best written as I to 3 square feet for each lineal foot frontage of property with a maximum (not to exceed). A bonus is given for comer lots. I think your goal should be to write an ordinance that gives the property owner the opportunity to design creative signage (not just a box on a pole) that fits proportionally with the size of the property. Remember, a signs first function is to be seen. If you have to small a maximum square footage and to long a setback, you just don't get good sign designs. My suggestion would be a very definitative glossary (,fterms and keep it as simple as possible when writing the actual maximums for each Iype of sign in each/zone. A developing community like Centerville needs to promote business growth with a workable sign ordinance that is fair. If the ordinance is hard to understand and open to interpretation, then you will be spending too much of your time and energy dealing with variances.