Super Valu-Auto. Changing Signs0
eMareh 20 1989 Planning Report: ZN8 -
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Proposed Action.
Staff recommends a zoning ordinance amendment
changing signs in the City of Hopkins be approved.
This motion will allow automatic changing signs in the B -3 and
Industrial districts. Time /temperature signs will be allowed in the
B-2 district.
Staff is recommending approval because if regulated properly,
automatic changing signs can provide a business a useful tool to
advertise.
Overview.
In December 1988,` Super Valu requested the City to allow an automatic
sign be erected on their new freezer warehouse. Currently electronic
message signs are not allowed in the City. At the December meeting
the Commission instructed the staff to draft an ordinance that would
allow automatic changing signs in Hopkins. In January and February
the Zoning and Planning Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance.
At the February meeting the Commission set a public hearing for the
proposed ordinance.
Issues to Consider.
o Should automatise changing signs be allowed within the
City?
Supporting Information.
Nancy
Planne
Proposed amendment
Resolution
) 11-
001-
Anderson
SUPER VALU /AUTOMATIC CHANGING SIGNS
allow automatic
ZN89 -1
1111 Page 2
- Should automatic changing signs be allowed within the City?
The first response by the staff of allowing automatic changing signs
was not favorable. This response changed because it is now felt that
if the signs are regulated and put in locations that will not affect
the residential areas, they can be an asset to the community. I feel
that the proposed ordinance will limit not only the locations but the
size of the signs. Residential districts will be protected by not
allowing a changing sign within 500 feet if the district faces the
sign.
The proposed ordinance allows review by the Zoning Administrator and
the Director of Engineering if there might be a conflict with traffic.
At the January Zoning and Planing meeting, several studies were
included in the agenda regarding traffic situations and concerns in
other cities. These studies answered the Commissions and the staffs
questions on the impact to traffic of automatic changing signs.
Some other restricting conditions on automatic changing signs will be
that all changing signs will be limited to 24 inch letters and that a
business is limited to one automatic changing sign per site.
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
ORDINANCE NO: 89 -631
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING HOPKINS ZONING
ORDINANCE NO. 570 PERTAINING TO SIGNS
BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of
Hopkins as follows
That the Hopkins Zoning Ordinance No. 570 be and the
same is hereby amended by adding the following provisions:
570.01
Subdiv. 4 Sign - Automatic Changing Sign. A sign such
as an electronically or electrically controlled public
service time, temperature and date sign, message center
or readerboard, where different copy changes are shown
on the same lamp bank. Automatic changing signs such
as public service time, temperature and date signs or
electronically controlled message centers are classed
as changing signs, not flashing signs.
Subdiv. 10 Sign - Time /Temperature. An electronically
controlled sign that is limited to the time and
temperature.
Subdiv. 11 Sign - Wall. A sign attached to or erected
against a wall of a building, with the face
horizontally parallel to the building wall.
570.51 Automatic Changing Signs. Automatic changing
signs are allowed in the B -3, and industrial zoning
districts provided:
a) that all automatic changing signs are wall signs
b) that all automatic changing signs that face a
residential district are located at least 500 feet
from that district.
c) that any automatic changing sign will be included in
the total allowable sign area.
d) electronic messages may be changed at periodic
intervals by various entry and exit display modes
provided that the maximum message time is 20 seconds
with a 10 display frame per sequence. The message
is limited to 3 per day not including time and
temperature
e) where automatic changing signs are proposed along a
major arterial street or within 150 feet of a
traffic signal light, the sign permit shall be
reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and Director of
Engineering to consider the proposed location,
design and hold time.
f) that all automatic changing signs shall be on
premise.
g) the maximum size of the letter is 2 inches.
h) that a business is limited to one automatic
changing sign per site.
570.52 Time /Temperature Sign. Time and temperature
signs are allowed in the B -2 districts provided:
a) that all time /temperature signs are wall signs.
570. Height. The top of a sign, including its
superstructure, if any, shall be no higher than six
feet above the roof of the building to which such sign
may be attached or 35 feet above ground level,
whichever height is less; except that the height of any
changeable sign or name plate sign which is attached
to or an integral part of a functional structure, such
as a water tower, smoke stack, radio or TV transmitting
tower, or similar structure shall be no higher than
such structure. Signs, including any superstructure
standing or erected free of any building or other
structure, shall not exceed an overall height of 35
feet from ground level and shall be located on land in
an area which is landscaped, or if such land is part of
an approved parking area, it shall be surfaced or paved
as required in the zoning code.
First read at a regular meeting of the city Council of
the City of Hopkins held on April 1 4, 1989, and finally read,
approved, aodpted and ordered published at a regular meeting of
said Council of said city on April 18, 1989.
JAMES A. GENELLIE DONALD J. MILBERT.
City Clerk Mayor
JERRE MILLER
City Attorney
1
Donald J. Milbert, Mayor
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
RESOLUTION NO: 89 -5
RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS OF FACT AND APPROVING
APPLICATION FOR ZONING AMENDMENT ZN:88 -6
WHEREAS, an application for a Zoning Amendment
entitled ZN:88 -6 made by Super Valu Inc., 101 Jefferson
Avenue South, to allow electronic message signs is
approved.
WHEREAS, the procedural history of the application
is as follows:
1. That an application for a Zoning Amendment
ZN :88 -6 was filed with the City of Hopkins on
December 2, 1988.
2. That the Hopkins Planning Commission reviewed
such application on December 27, 1988.
3. That the Hopkins Planning Commission, pursuant
to published and mailed notices, held a public
hearing on December 27,1988, continued to
January 31 and February 28: all persons present
at the hearing were given an opportunity to be
heard.
4. That the written comments and analysis of the
City Staff and the Planning Commission were
considered.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that application for
Zoning Amendment ZN:88 - is hereby approved with the
following Findings of Fact:
1. That automatic changing signs will be a
permitted use within the B -3 and Industrial
Districts.
2. The time /temperature signs will be a permitted
use within the B -2 District.
3. That automatic changing signs can provide a
useful advertising tool to the Hopkins
businesses.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Ordinance No. 89 -631
is hereby approved for first reading.
Adopted this 4th day of April 1989.