5A - Ordinance Amendment Regarding Sign Concept Plan Review (continuation)

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COmmur*i rY Gry f GR0Nv7rH P Ot INSTITUTE Lakes- STAFF REPORT Application: Ordinance Amendment Regarding Sign Concept Plans Applicant: City of Pequot Lakes Agenda Item: 4(a) Background Information: Currently, if a property owner desires more signage than what is allowed by the Ordinance,they are required to apply for a conditional use permit and submit a sign concept plan. Once the application is submitted and the fee is paid (Residential $350 + $46 recording fee, Commercial $450 + $46 recording fee), public notices are sent and the application is review by the Planning Commission at a public hearing. If the sign concept plan is approved,the applicant is granted a sign permit. The existing process is both lengthy and costly. It is also limited to properties in the Commercial and Industrial Districts. Because the existing sign ordinance language is fairly restrictive, the sign concept plan allows property owners some flexibility with the code. The sign concept plan allows property owners the opportunity to increase the number, size or height of signage on their property. It does not, however, allow property owners to obtain signage that is currently not allowed by the ordinance. The proposed ordinance amendment reduces the cost of obtaining a permit for additional signage by not requiring a conditional use permit. The amendment only requires the property owner to submit a sign concept plan to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. The proposed amendment also allows property owners in all zoning districts of the City the opportunity to submit a sign concept plan (they are only allowed for commercial properties now). The review criteria for a sign concept plan is not changing with the proposed amendment. Currently,public notices must be published and individual notices must be sent to all property owners within 350' of the subject property as part of the CUP/public hearing requirement. With the proposed amendment, a public hearing would not be required and neighboring properties will only be noticed if the sign concept plan is for a residentially zoned property. At the last Planning Commission Meeting, it was suggested that a $ioo fee should apply to all sign concept plan applications. The fee would cover expenses associated with the application including staff time, mailings(for residential zones),paperwork, etc. Planning Commission Direction:The Planning Commission may either recommend that the application be approved or denied, with or without changes to the text provided here. The Planning Commission should also recommend a fee (if any) for sign concept plan applications. Staff Recommendation: The proposed amendment creates a flexible, streamlined, and less costly process for property owners while still allowing the Planning Commission to review signage requests on a case-by-case basis. We recommend the proposed amendment be approved. Pequot Lakes Staff Report 4(a)-1 September 20,2012