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4.0 BACKGROUND 4.1 The shopping center property where the temporary apartment leasing sign would be erected is located in Planning District 3, has a zoning designation of Shopping Center (SC) District and a Comprehensive Plan designation of Business (S). 4.2 Such freestanding apartment leasing signs are allowed on the apartment property without a permit if they are limited to 35 square feet in area and S feet in height. The proposed sign, which is about 32 square feet in area and can be limited to a overall height of S feet, would not require any City approvals but for the fact that is not to be located on the Centennial Gardens property. 4.3 Section 1009.02A5 (Sign Regulations) of the City Code contains this definition: "Billboard: A sign that is erected and used for the purpose ... of selling goods /services other than those offered on the premises." while the proposed apartment leasing sign would look nothing like a typical billboard, its off -site location is consistent with the City Code's broad definition of a "billboard ", which is prohibited by §1009.020 (Prohibited Signs ) ; therefore, the proposed sign can only be accommodated with the requested INTERIM USE PERMIT (IUP). 5.0 INTERIM USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS 5.1 Section 1012.09 (Interim Uses) of the City Code establishes the regulations pertaining to INTERIM USE PERMITS. a. Section 1012.09A states: The City Council may authorize an Interim use ofproperty. Interim rises may not be consistent with the land rises designated on the adopted Land Use Plan. They y rya, y also fall to meet all of the zoning standards established for the district within which it Is located. b. Section 1012.09E states: The City Council may attach conditions to Interim Use Permits. In reviewing Interim use Permit applications, the City will establish a specific date or event that will terminate the use on the property. The Council will also determine that the approval of the Interim use world not result In adverse effects on the public health, safety, and general welfare, and that It will not Impose additional costs on the public If It Is necessary for the public to tale the property In the future. 6.0 STAFF COMMENTS 6.1 The IUP request is prompted by the fact that the Centennial Gardens apartment complex has been subject to significant vacancies related to ongoing renovations. The applicant believes that full (or nearly full) occupancy can be achieved by installing a sign in the proposed location during the next several months, which are the most active apartment- seeking months. 6.2 The application indicates that Centennial Gardens would be willing to remove an approved sign by the end of October 2008 (about 5 months after installation). Planning Division staff believes that allowing the sign to be in place through the end of December 2008 (about 7 months after installation) would neither have a greater impact nor complicate the enforcement of the IUP compared to the proposed 5 -month duration, and the applicant would be appreciative of the extra time to be sure that the apartment occupancy goals can be achieved. PF98 -913 RCA 951998.doc Page 2 of 4