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STAFF REPORT Item: Banners-discussion Agenda Item:6(c) Background: At last month's meeting, the Planning Commission directed the Staff to provide recommendations regarding the proliferation of banner signs in the City. Some businesses display banners year-round, although these signs may change.The City is seeking to reduce the visual clutter and improve the appearance of properties by preventing signs from intruding on the rural and residential character of the City. The Ordinance currently defines a Sign as: A name, identification, description, display, illustration, advertisement, or device which is displayed for the purpose of attracting attention to a person, product, place, activity, institution,or business. Banners are addressed by the Land Use Ordinance in Section 7.1, Subdivision 3, regarding exempt signs,which states that the following can be erected without a permit: A. Temporary signs pertaining only to the construction, sale, or rental of premises are allowable provided they do not exceed 9 square feet in any zone and are removed within 3o days of the completion of construction,sale,or rental. `., B. Temporary signs, including banners, streamers, and portable signs, are allowed for special events, such as grand openings and promotions, provided they are not in place longer than 14 days during any 90 day period. C. Street identification signs and no hunting or trespassing signs are allowed without a permit. D. Temporary signs endorsing a political candidate, party, or issue during an election season are allowed without a permit.The sign must be removed within 3o days after the election. E. Signs in Residential, Agriculture, and Forestry Districts, provided they meet the following standards. i. Signs shall not be internally or externally lighted,but may be reflective. ii. No sign shall be larger than 3 square feet, except for a permitted home occupation where 6 square feet is allowed. iii. Only on sign per parcel shall be allowed. Under current Ordinances, a property owner may display any number of banners at a given time, removing each banner at the end of the individual 14 days in the 3-month period, and still be compliant with the Ordinance. In addition, many property owners may not be aware of the current time limitation on banners and other temporary signs within the community. Staff Recommendation: Due to the issues that the City has encountered with the lack of public knowledge of current Ordinances and with maintaining a healthy business environment, the Staff recommends the following changes to the Ordinance regarding banners and temporary signs. City of Pequot Lakes Staff Report 4-1 October 18,2007