CR 03-181 Zoning Amendment - Changeable Signs~~~ Y OF
December 1 i, 2003 ~ a ~ x ~ ~ s Council Report 03-18]
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT -CHANGEABLE SIGNS
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends t11e following motion: Move to adopt_ Ordinance 0~-91Z to allow
automatic changeable suns in the Institutional zonit~ district far second reading and order it
published. ~~
OveR•view.
The School District was granted a conditional use permit to canstntct a rl~anutnent sigh at
Eisenhower Community Center recently. Now the School District would like to add an
automatic changeable sign to the monument sign that was approved.
The Zoning Ordinance does not allow automatic changeable signs in the Institutional zanin`
district. Automatic changeable sighs are currently allowed in the industrial and B-3 zoning
districts. The proposed ordinance requirements will apply only to the Institutional zonut;
• district; the recluiremetlts for the industrial and B-3 zoning districts will remain.
Primary Issues to Consider.
• Should electronic changeable signs be allowed in the Institutional coning district?
• What are the proposed atrtendments`?
• What changes were trade to the ordinance after the first reading?
Supporting Documents.
• Analysis of Issues
• Ordinance 03-912
•
Nanc .Anderson, AICP
Planner
Financial Impact: $ NIA Budgeted:
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
YIN Source:
CR03-181
Page 2
. Primary Issues to Consider.
• Should electronic changeable signs be allowed in the Institutional zoning
district?
The uses allowed in the Institutional zoning district are single family homes, schools, and
churches. Schools and churches have many events, and in the past have used temporary
signage or have a manual reader >,oard,
• What are the proposed amendments?
515.()7 Subd. 00. Continuous scrolli~l.~: To trove electronic text across a display screen.
570.SQ. Automatic Chanu~in: Suns. Automatic Changing signs are allowed in the
Institutional zoning district provided:
a) A conditional use permit is granted as per Section 570.46.
b) The electronic message area shall not exceed tt~ore than 50 percent of the sign.
c) No more than one automatic changing sign is allowed per site.
d) Continuous scrolling or [lashing messages are not permitted.
e) The electronic message is limited to events on site or community-based non-profit
an.t~ouncetnents.
• f) The electronic message must be petpcndicular to any abutting residential ]tome.
• What changes were made to the ordinance after the first reading'?
Questions at the last Council meetirtg came ttp regarding the definitions for scrolling and
flashing. A definition was added to define scrolling. The zoning ordinance has a dcfnitiot}
for flashing. Also the language for the types of messages allowed was changed froth public
service to eotnmtulity-based non-profit atulounccments.
Alternatives.
1. Approve the amendments to the zoning ordinance. By approving the amendments to the
zoning ordinance, changeable sighs will be allowed in tl~e Institutional zoning district.
2. Deny amendmetrts to the zoning ordinance. By denying the ametdments to 111e zoning
ordit~-ance, changeable sighs ~vilf not be allowed in the Institutional zoning district. If the
City Council considers this alternative, findings will have to be identified that support
this alternative.
3. Continue for fin-ther information. I.f the City Council indicates that further inforn~aiion is
needed, d~c item should be continued.
•
Hopkins School District 270
Hopkins, Minnesota
MEMORANDUM
To: Hopkins City Plam-ter Nancy Anderson
Hopkins Mayor and City Council Members
City Manager Steve Miellce
From: Eileen Harvala, Hopkins School District 270 Public Relations coordinatur
Date: Monday, December S, 2003
Re: Electronic message sigh
The ptn-pose of this memo is to outline Hopkins School District 270's proposed ttse ol'an
electronic message sig7i at the Eiser~llower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7,
Hopkins. The proposed electronic sign would be digital and controlled via a computer
software system. The school district may periodically change date- and time-sensitive
messages throughout the day, but would not leave scrolling or flashing messages.
A11 message requests would be routed tlu-augh the School District's Public Relations
Office, with approval for messages being determined by District 270's public relations
coordinator. Strict guidelines for messages will be followed. Priority for messages will be
given to district and/or school time and date-specific events. Events must appeal to tltie
entire school district community, i.e., a district meeting, class or activity, ar a school
activity such as a concert, carnival, or special event. Occasionally, the district may have a
general message of congratulations such as "Congratulations, 2004 graduates," or
"District 270 salutes its award-winning students and athletes."
Public service announcement requests would be granted only when time and space are
available, which typically only happens during the sutnmcr, and would be restricted to
date and time-specific events from non-profit, community based organizations. These
events trust have a broad comnntnity interest and appeal, i.e., Music in the Park or Nome
Remodeling Fair.
The Hopkins School District appreciates the city of Hopkins' willingness to consider
changing its zoning ordinance to possibly accommodate an electronic message sign. The
school district will officially adopt a school board policy for use of the si,~1, reflecting the
conditions and restrictions outlined in tl~e city's conditional-use pet~t»it, if the zoning
change is granted.
Thank you for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me, at 952-988-40?4,
if you have any questions.
• cc: District 270 Bond Steering Committee
Jeffrey Schoeneck
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
ORDINANCE NO. 2003-912
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
That the Hopkins Zoning Ordinnance No. 515-570 be, amended by amedditlg and
adding the following section:
515.07 Subd. 00. Continuous scrollill~: To move electronic text across a display screed.
570.40 Pel-tllitted sigtls: Institutional districts. The signage for institutional districts shall
confortll to Section 570.46. and Section 57U.50 if deeded.
570.50. AL1tot11at1C Changing Suns. Automatic Changing sigtls are allowed in the
Institutional zoning district provided:
a) A conditional use permit is granted as per Section 570.46.
b} The electronic message area shall not exceed more than 50 percent of the sign.
c) No more than one automatic changing sigh is allowed per site.
d} Continuous scrolling or flashing messages are not permitted.
e) The electronic message is limited to events on site or conlm~ulity based non-profit
anllolnlCelllellts.
f) The electl'ollic message must be perpendicular to arty abutting residential holnc.
Other uses listed in Sections 515 and 570 are to be renumbered accordingly.
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Date of Publication:
Date Ordinance Takes Effect:
ATTEST:
Ten-y Obenllaier, City Cleric
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
December 2, 2003
December 16, 20()3
December 25, 2003
December 25, 2003
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
City Attorney Signature
Date