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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity/County Planning Board Minutes 11.05.2015 MINUTES LAUREL CITY-COUNTY PLANNING BOARD NOVEMBER 5, 2015 10:00 AM COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Kathy Siegrist, Chairman Dan Koch,City Rep. Lee Richardson, County Rep. Hazel Klein,City Rep. Greg Nelson, City Rep. OTHERS PRESENT: Noel Eaton,City Planner Monica Plecker, Contracted City Planner Cheryll Lund,City Secretary Gary Colley, City Building Official Richard Herr CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Siegrist called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. ROLL CALL: Members present were Koch, Richardson, Klein, Nelson and Siegrist. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: A motion was made by Dan Koch and seconded by Greg Nelson to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2015 meeting. The motion carried by a vote of 5—0. A motion was made by Dan Koch and seconded by Hazel Klein to add Old Business, Miscellaneous and Adjournment to the agenda. The motion carried by a vote of 5—0. NEW BUSINESS: Monica introduced new City Planner Noel Eaton. Noel spoke. She grew up in Billings and graduated from Senior High. She moved to California and received her Environmental Planning degree at Humboldt University. She graduated in December of 2014 and returned to Billings to work at Energy Lab and is now employed by the City of Laurel and is excited to get her Planning career started. She is looking forward to working with the Planning Board. NEW BUSINESS: Public Comment on proposed changes to LMC 17.42 Sign Code and LMC 17.26 Entryway Zoning. At this time Chairman Siegrist asked for public comment on proposed changes to LMC 17.42,Sign Code. There was no public wishing to speak. Monica spoke regarding the proposed changes. The Planning Board has had ongoing discussions since July of 2015 on both the Sign Code and Entryway Zoning. These are the final drafts of all proposed changes for the Sign Code and the Entryway Zoning. Monica went through the proposed changes to LMC 17.42 (see attached) 1 The Board feels that the proposed changes will help staff and the public better clarify the definitions of signs. The Board also agrees that having the information in chart/table form will help staff to better t1 determine what type of signs are allowed within each zone including the Entryway Zoning District. Monica feels the proposed changes will mean less interpretation errors by staff. Lee Richardson asked how far out the zoning goes for signage. Monica stated that zoning goes out 1 mile beyond the city limits. A motion was made by Hazel Klein and seconded by Dan Koch to recommend the City Council consider the proposed changes for LMC 17.42,Sign Code.The motion passed by a vote of 5—0. At this time Chairman Siegrist asked for public comment on proposed changes to LMC 17.26 Entryway zoning(see attached). There was no public wishing to speak. Monica went through the changes for LMC 17.26 Entryway Zoning District. Monica stated that because there is now a table in the Sign Code that lists where all of the different signs are allowed in Entryway Zoning,there is no need to keep the wording of#A.1 within the EWZ code. The other proposed change is taking out the requirement of a yearly permit renewal for each existing sign. The City has not required this in the past and requiring a yearly permit could make it costly to the business owners. Chairman Siegrist asked for public comment. There was none. A motion was made by Hazel Klein and seconded by Greg Nelson to recommend the City Council consider the proposed changes for LMC 17.26, Entryway Zoning. The motion carried by a vote of 5—0. OLD BUSINESS: The Magelssen zone change was approved by the County Commissioners. The applicants are working on several items prior to submitting their preliminary plat subdivision application. Laurel Airport zoning is being proposed again by KU Engineers and the Laurel Airport Authority. The board will be talking about it in the next few months. They have submitted a preliminary draft of their proposed zoning regulations and Monica and Noel have read and discussed them and recommended several changes to the Engineers. Monica and Noel also talked with the County Attorney about the idea of zoning around the Laurel Airport and he is supportive of the idea but he has not seen the zoning regulations yet. The Olson Variance for 203 E. 11th Street was approved. The Olson's are waiting on selling their home in Molt prior to beginning to build on the lot. 2 MISCELLANOUS: Lee Richardson asked why the old Western Drug building next to the IGA on S. 1st Avenue has been empty for so long. Monica is not sure why the building has remained empty for so long. The next meeting will be December 3, 2015 at 10:00 am. New Planner Noel Eaton will make a presentation on Environmental Planning. The Conservation District has appointed Clint Peck as their representative to sit on the Planning Board. He was unable to attend tonight's meeting. Greg Nelson told the board that there is a possibility he will be leaving the board if he sells his building and moves out of town. PUBLIC INPUT: There was no public input. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Hazel Klein and seconded by Dan Koch to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by a vote of 5—0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 am. Respectfully submitted, eA_4ti, Che I Lund,Secretary 3 17.4441 SIGN CODE Sections: 17.42.010 Adoption. 17.42.020 Updated references. 17.42.030 Intent. 17.42.040 Definitions. 17.42.050 Signs prohibited. 17.42.060 Portable and banner signs. 17.42.070 Signs not requiring permits. 17.42.080 Entryway Zoning District. 17.42.090 Calculation of sign area. 17.42.100 Maintenance. 17.42.110 Lighting. 17.42.120 Changeable copy. 17.42.130 Signs permitted(exceptions to this section are noted in the Entryway Zoning District). 17.42.140 Shopping center signs (exceptions to this section are noted in the Entryway Zoning District). 17.42.150 Common signage plan. 17.42.160 Nonconforming signs. 17.42.170 Construction specifications. 17.42.010 Adoption. The Uniform Sign Code, 1997 Edition,published by the International Conference of Building Officials,together with any appendix or subsequent amendments or additions thereto, adopted or as may be adopted in the future by the City of Laurel, is 17.42.010 adopted by and declared to be the sign code of the City. One full printed copy of the code shall be available in the offices of the city. The aforesaid,Uniform Sign Code is adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as fully, and for all intents and purposes, as though set forth herein at length. It shall be known and designated as the "Uniform Sign Code" of the City. (Ord.99-10 (part), 1999:Ord. 96-1I, 1996: Ord.859, 1986: prior code § 15.52.010) 17.42.020 Updated References. The sign code described in Section 17.42.010 may be amended by Resolution or Administrative Order of the Mayor. (Ord.99-10 (part), 1999: Ord.860, 1986: prior code § 15.52.020) 17.42.030 Intent. This code shall not regulate official traffic or government signs;the copy and message of signs; signs not intended to be viewed from a public fight-of-way; window displays;product dispensers and point of purchase displays; scoreboards 1 on athletic fields; flags of any nation, government or fraternal organization; gravestones; barber poles; religious symbols; or any display or construction not defined in this chapter as a sign. (Ord.02-32 (part),2003) 17.42.040 Definitions. "Animated sign" ---.. .. • •_ , . . - - -- .. . -- - . .- .. - - . A sign depicting action,motion, light,or color change,or that change the sign displayed through electrical or mechanical means.Animated also includes signs that use blinking,flashing or scrolling or other special effects to depict motion. "Area of sign" means the entire area of a sign including the area within a perimeter, which forms the outside shape including the frame,forming an integral part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed. The frame of a sign may be excluded from the area where such frame conveys no message and is constructed or affixed for aesthetic reasons beyond the necessary supports. For computing the areas of any wall or canopy sign, which consists of letters mounted or painted on a wall or canopy,the area shall be deemed to be the area of the smallest rectangular figure which can encompass all of the letters. (See below section calculation of sign area.) "Bandit sign" means an illegal commercial sign posted on a utility pole, street sign, or other street furniture; or any other sign placed within a public right of way or public property or on private property.A bandit sign /'1 generally has less than six square feet or less of advertising area and are made of vinyl,paper,cloth or fabric,polyboard,corrugated plastic, poster board, plastic core, cardboard,wood, or plywood,including signs with wood or wire framing,posts or stakes. "Banner sign"means any sign(other than an official flag)made of cloth,paper or fabric of any kind,which is used to attract attention,whether or not imprinted with words or characters. "Beacon" means any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same lot as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move. "Billboard, On-premise"Is a sign intended to capture the attention of motorists along interstate highways and other roads located in the entryway zoning district, that also promotes an activity,product,commodity, service, entertainment or communication which is sold or offered at the premise on which the sign is located. "Billboard,Off-premise"Is a sign intended to capture the attention of motorists along interstate highways and other roads located in the entryway zoning district, that also promotes an activity,product, commodity, service, entertainment or communication which is not sold or offered at the premise on which the sign is located. "Building marker" means any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction,which sign is cut into a masonry /1 surface or made of bronze or other permanent material. 2 "Canopy sign" means any sign that is a part of or attached to any awning, canopy or other fabric,plastic or structural protective cover over a door,entrance, window or outdoor service area, and which does not extend horizontally beyond the limits of the canopy. "Changeable copy sign" means a sign whose informational alphabetic and numeric content can be changed or altered by manual or electric, electromechanical or electronic means. .. _-. . - ':4- - . . typos: "Changeable Copy signs are limited to time and temperature displays. For changeable copy signs displaying informational and other pictographic content see"Pictographic Changeable Copy Sign" 2. Electrically Activated. Signs whose alphabetic,pictographic or symbolic a. Fixed Message Electronic Signs. Signs whose basic informational content has been preprogrammed to include only certain types of information projections, such as time and temperature. -• . . b. Computer Controlled Variable Message Electronic Signs. Signs whose informational alphabetic or numeric content can be changed or altered by means of computer-driven electronic impulses. "Copy" means the graphic content of a sign surface in either permanent or removable letter, alphabetic or numeric : : . . . _, :: ' . .. . . -- ' form. "Directional/informational sign" means an on-premise sign giving directions, instructions or facility information and which may contain the name or logo of an establishment but no advertising copy, e.g.,parking or exit and entrance signs. The sign may contain a logo provided that the logo may not comprise more than twenty percent of the total sign. "Director"means the Director of Planning_of the city of Laurel or his or her designee. "Flag" means any fabric, banner or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols,used as a symbol of a government,political subdivision or other entity. "Freestanding sign" means .. . ..- , . . :.. . - , . . -, •- .-• _ - . - • •_ any sign supported by uprights or braces permanently placed upon the ground, and not attached to any building. "Government sign" means any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by the city, county, state or federal government for traffic direction or for designation of or direction to any school,hospital,historical site or public service,property or facility. 3 "Height of sign"means the vertical distance measured from the highest point of /1 the sign to the crown of the adjacent street,not including the interstate highway. "Lot" means any piece or parcel of land or a portion of a subdivision,the boundaries of which have been established by some legal instrument of record that is recognized and intended as a unit for the purpose of transfer or ownership. "Maintenance" means for the purposes of this code,the cleaning,painting, repair or replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the structure of the sign "Monument sign"means a sign mounted directly to the ground with maximum height not to exceed ten feet. "Nonconforming sign" means a sign,which was erected legally, but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations. "On-premise sign" means a sign that advertises solely for the property on which it is located. "Pictographic Changeable Copy Sign" means a sign whose still framed pictographic or symbolic content can be changed or altered by manual or electric, electromechanical or electronic means. Still frame pictures may change but not sooner than every 60 seconds.No Pictographic Changeable Copy Sign can depict movement or motion,flashing,blinking or other special effects including scrolling text. "Portable sign" means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted /- to A or T frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way,unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business. "Principal building"means a structure accommodating the principal use to which the property is devoted. Lots with multiple principal uses may have multiple principal buildings,but storage buildings, garages and other clearly accessory uses shall not be considered principal buildings. "Projecting sign" means a sign, other than a wall sign,which is attached to and projects from a building no more than 12 inches, wall oro er st cture .. - -. , - • . Supports shall be covered in a neat and orderly fashion. Guy wire support is prohibited. "Roof sign, above-peak" means any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure,and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof. "Roof sign,integral" means any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral pan of a normal roof structure of any design, such that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof and such that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches. "Setback"means the distance from the property line to the nearest part of the applicable building, structure or sign,measured perpendicularly to the property /'1 line. 4 "Sign" means any device, fixture,placard or structure that uses any color, form, kind to the public. Any identification, descriptions,illustration or device illuminated or nonilluminated which is visible from any public place or is located on private property and exposed to the public and which directs attention to a product,service,place,activity,person, institution, business or solicitation,including any permanently installed or situated merchandise; or any emblem, painting,banner, pennant,placard or temporary sign designed to advertise, identify or convey information,with the exception of window displays and national flags.For the purpose of removal,signs shall also include all sign structures. "Snipe Sign" means a sign made of any material when such sign is tacked, nailed,posted,pasted, glued or otherwise attached to trees,poles,fences or other obiects and the advertising matter appearing thereon is not applicable to the present use of the premises upon which such sign is located. "Street" means a public way for vehicular traffic,whether designated as a street, highway,thoroughfare,parkway,throughway,road, avenue,boulevard, land,place or however otherwise designated which has been dedicated to or acquired for public use, and which extends the full width between right-of-way lines. "Street frontage"means the length of the property line of any one premise along each public right-of-way it borders excluding alleys, government easement accesses, and the interstate highway. "Suspended sign" means a sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal place surface and is supported by such surface. "Temporary sign" means a nonpermanent sign erected and maintained for a specific limited period of time. "Wall sign" means any sign attached parallel to,painted on the wall surface, or erected and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by such wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface. Wall signs shall not exceed twenty two twelve inches in depth measured from the face on the wall on which the sign is mounted. "Wind-driven sign, allowable" means any sign consisting of one or two banners, flags, or other objects or material fastened in such a manner as to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind or breeze. "Wind-driven sign, conditional"means any ribbons, spinners,streamers, pennants,balloons, inflatable or other wind driven signs subjected to pressure by wind, fan, or breeze. "Window sign" means any sign,pictures, symbol or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale or service that is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 5 17.42.050 Signs prohibited. All signs not expressly permitted under this section or exempt from regulation hereunder in accordance with the following section are prohibited. Such signs include, but are not limited to: A. Beacons; B. Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, except those exempt under the following section; C. Animated signs; D.Above-peak roof signs; E.Abandoned signs; F. Pictographic changeable copy signs which depict motion of any kind, including flashing,blinking and scrolling text or other special effects; G. Snipe signs or . - -- , - - - -- - .. . . - - -- •_ , . . . -. . .. .. . ' - .- - - :. - • 21.- . bandit signs; H. Signs placed on vehicles or trailers,which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying, said signs (this does not apply to signs or lettering on buses,taxis, or vehicles operating during the normal course of business). (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 17.42.060 Portable and banner signs. Permits required. It shall be unlawful for any owner or person entitled to possession of any property or business, or their authorized representatives,to erect, construct,move, or display a temporary sign or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a temporary sign permit from the sign administrator. A temporary sign permit may be issued. A. To new businesses or to existing businesses which are relocating and shall be limited in use to one time for no longer than sixty days; or B. To existing businesses for the purpose of advertising and shall be limited to a maximum of thirty consecutive days per calendar year. Such thirty-day period may be split into no more than two separate periods of fifteen consecutive days each. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) (Laurel Supp.No. 3, 12-04) 17.42.070 Signs not requiring permits. The following types of signs are exempted from permit requirements but must be in conformance with all other requirements of this section: A. Construction signs of sixteen square feet or less; B. Special event or holiday lights or decorations; C.Nameplates of two square feet or less; D. Public signs or notices, or any sign relating to an emergency; E. Real estate signs; (see signs permitted, Section 17.42.130(B); F. Political signs; (see signs permitted, Section 17.42.130(D); G. Interior signs not visible from the exterior of the building; H. Directional signs not to exceed twelve square feet in area or six feet in height. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 6 17.42.080 Entryway Overlay Zoning Districts. The provisions of the Entryway Zoning district, SE 4th Overlay District, or Downtown Overlay District pertaining to signs shall apply to all signs in that district and are in addition to the provisions of this section. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003)0 17.42.090 Calculation of sign area. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure,the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 17.42.100 Maintenance. All signs shall be properly maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted if paint is required. Defective parts shall be re placed. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 17.42.110 Lighting. Unless otherwise prohibited by this code, all signs may be illuminated provided they do not cause or contribute to a public nuisance. Lighting restricted to the sign face. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 17.42.120 Changeable copy. Unless otherwise specified by this section, any sign in this chapter allowed may use manual or fixed message electronic sign. Computer controlled variable message electronic signs shall be permitted provided that the bottom of the reader board is ten feet above the crown of the adjacent road. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 17.42.130 Signs permitted (exceptions to this section are noted in the Entlyway Overlay Zoning District). A. One non-illuminated sign for each street frontage of a construction project, not to exceed forty-eight square feet in sign area. Such signs may be erected thirty days prior to beginning of construction and shall be removed thirty days following completion of construction. B. One non-illuminated real estate sign per lot or premises not to exceed sixteen square feet in sign area for residential properties and thirty-two square feet for commercial properties. Such signs must be removed fifteen days following sale,rental, or lease of the real estate involved. C. One non-illuminated attached building nameplate per occupancy, not to exceed two square feet in sign area. D.Non-illuminated political signs not to exceed sixteen square feet in sign area each. Such signs shall not be erected more than forty-five days prior to the election or referendum concerned and shall be removed ten days following such 7 election or referendum. Political signs may be placed only on private property and /'1 only with the permission of the property owner. E. One subdivision sign per street frontage not to exceed forty-eight square feet in sign area in each location. F. One identification sign per entrance to an apartment or condominium complex,not to exceed thirty-six square feet in sign area. G. The total square footage of all signs located on the property, including, but not limited to freestanding,wall,projecting, integrated roof, canopy,under— canopy and directional signs, shall not exceed three two square feet in sign area for each lineal foot of property frontage. This frontage shall be calculated using local streets (not the interstate highway). H. One on-premise, freestanding sign may be installed to a height of forty feet and may be a maximum of three hundred fifty square feet if the principal purpose of such signs is to address interstate traffic as determined by the director. The sign must be oriented perpendicularly to the interstate so the sign is visible to the interstate traveler. I. Freestanding signs which are not on-premise and which do not address interstate traffic as determined by the director may be installed to a maximum height of twenty-four feet and may have a maximum size of one hundred fifty square feet. Exceptions to this are noted in the Entryway Zoning District. J. The setback for the leading edge of freestanding signs shall be a minimum often feet. K.No sign may be placed or designed so as to simulate or interfere with traffic control devices or official highway directional/informational signs. L. Wall signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the square footage of the wall area upon which they are installed. Electric awning and canopy signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the square footage of the wall area upon which they are installed. The combination of wall signs, electric awning, canopy signs and projecting signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the allowed wall sign area. M. Integrated roof signs may be used instead of wall signs. The integrated roof sign size shall not exceed the allowable size for a wall sign. Integrated roof signs shall be constructed so as to conceal all structures and fastenings. The height of the sign shall not exceed the roof to which it is attached. N. Projecting signs may be used instead of any wall or freestanding signs provided they do not project beyond the property line and maintain a clearance of ten feet over the sidewalk and fourteen feet over any parking lot, driveway or crown of the street, whichever is higher. Where zoning allows for one hundred percent lot coverage or zero setbacks,projecting signs shall never extend beyond the sidewalk and must be 10 feet over the sidewalk.Projecting sign size shall not exceed the allowable size for a wall sign. •. e - .. . - .. . . .., ... . - - PO. Window signs shall not cover more than thirty percent of the window area. QP. On-site directional signs as required. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 8 17.42.140 Shopping center signs (exceptions to this section are noted i~ the - , . . •_ :' , ' may be noted in the Entryway Zoning, SE 4th Street or Downtown Overlay District). A. Shopping centers shall be allowed one freestanding sign directory sign per frontage. The sign shall not exceed one hundred fifty square feet plus five percent of the one hundred fifty square feet per tenant. Maximum sign size shall not exceed three hundred fifty square feet. B. Shopping centers signs shall not exceed the maximum allowable freestanding signage. C. Shopping center signs cannot be used if the common signage plan is used. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 17.42.150 Common signage plan. A. If the owners of two or more contiguous or adjacent(disregarding intervening streets and alleys)lots or the owner of a single lot with more than one building(excluding accessory buildings)or multiple use buildings file with the director for such lot(s) a common signage plan conforming with the provisions of this section, a twenty-five percent increase in the maximum total sign area shall be allowed for each included lot. This bonus shall be allocated within each lot as the owner(s) elects. B. Provisions of Common Signage Plan. The common signage plan shall contain all of the following information: 1.An accurate plot plan of the lot, at such scale as the director may reasonably require; 2. Location of buildings,parking lots, driveways,clear vision triangles and landscaped areas on such lot; 3. Computation of the maximum total sign area,the maximum area for individual signs,the height of signs and the number of freestanding signs allowed on the lot(s)included in the plan under this chapter; 4. An accurate indication on the plot plans of the proposed location of each present and future sign of any type,whether requiring a permit or not; 5. Window signs may simply indicate the areas of the windows to be covered by window signs and the general type of the window signs (e.g.,paper affixed to window,painted, etched on glass, or some other material hung inside the window) and need not specify the exact dimension or nature of every window sign. The common signage plan shall also specify standards of consistency among all signs on the lots affected by the plan with regard to: 1. Color scheme; 2. Letter or graphic style; 3. Lighting; 4. Location of each sign on the building(s); 5. Material; and 6. Sign proportions. C. Limit on Number of Freestanding Signs Under Common Signage Plan. 9 The common signage plan, for all lots with multiple uses or multiple users, shall limit the number of freestanding signs to a total of one for each street on which the lots included in the plan have frontage and shall provide for shared or common usage of such signs. Where street frontage exceeds five hundred feet, one additional freestanding sign may be allowed per five hundred-foot increment. D. Other Provisions of the Common Signage Plan. The common signage plan may contain other restrictions as the owners of the lots may reasonably determine. E. Consent. Common signage plan shall be signed by all owners or their authorized agents in such form as the director shall require. F. Procedures. Common signage plan shall be included in any development plan, site plan,planned development or other official plan required by the city for the proposed development and shall be processed simultaneously with such other plan. G. Amendment. Common signage plan may be amended by filing a new common signage plan that conforms with all requirements of the code in effect. H. Existing Signs Not Conforming to Common Signage Plan. If any new or amended common signage plan is filed for a property on which existing signs are located, it shall include a schedule for bringing into conformance,wiz seven years, all signs not conforming to the proposed amended plan or to the requirements of this section effective on the date of submission. I. Binding Effect. After approval of a common signage plan,no sign shall be erected,placed,painted or maintained, except in conformance with such plan, and such may be enforced in the same way as any provision of this chapter. In case of any conflict between the provisions of this section and common signage plan,the section shall control. J. Dissolution of Common Signage Plan. If the signatories of a common signage plan wish to dissolve the common signage plan, written notice must be submitted to the director. All signs on the property for which the common signage plan was dissolved must bring all signs into conformance with this section within thirty days of the date written notice was submitted to the director. (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 17.42.160 Nonconforming signs. A. Existing signs which do not conform to the specific provisions of this section may be eligible for the designation "legal nonconforming"provided that: 1. The director determines such signs are properly maintained and do not in any way endanger the public; 2. The sign was installed in conformance with a valid permit or variance or complied with all applicable laws on the date of adoption of this section; and thirty days. B. A legal nonconforming sign may lose this designation if: 1.The sign is relocated or replaced; or n 10 • 2. The structure or size of this sign is altered in any way except toward compliance with this section. This does not refer to change of copy or normal maintenance. C. The legal nonconforming sign is subject to all requirements of this section regarding, safety, maintenance, and repair. However, if the sign suffers more than fifty percent damage or deterioration, as based on appraisal, it must be brought into conformance with this section or removed. D.Nonconforming signs located in the Entryway Zoning District must be (Ord.02-32 (part), 2003) 17.42.170 Construction specifications. A. Plans and specifications and the required review fee for all signs, including those in the Entryway Zoning District, must be submitted to the city of Laurel building department prior to the start of construction. The building department must grant a construction permit prior to any construction activity. B. All signs shall be installed in compliance with the International Building Code (IBC) and applicable electrical codes required,permitted and enforced by the State of Montana. C. All signs shall be inspected by the City of Laurel building department for compliance with all applicable codes. (including, but not limited to structure, wind load, and electrical hook-up). D. All electrical freestanding signs must have underground electrical service to such signs. E. Any change in sign construction or face, excluding changeable copy as defined in this chapter, shall require a new construction permit and fee. (Ord.02- 32 (part), 2003) 17.42.180 City fees and/or charges for signs. The City Council shall establish reasonable fees and/or charges for all signage within the jurisdiction of the City by annual resolution after a public hearing. (Ord. 07-06 (part),2007) 11 Entryway Zoning District Proposed Changes Planning Board Public Hearing—November 3'd. 17.26.052 Development Standards. A. Signage 1. ... - .. .. - - --- a -- . . ... . • .•. .- -• . • 2-1. Review consideration.Signage in the EZD needs to recognize the relationship between adjacent land uses and the natural features of the location such as existing views and proximity to residences.Although signs perform a function in providing information concerning services, products,and business,a profusion of signs produces a cumulative effect that cancels out individual effectiveness and detracts from the appearance of the community as a whole.All signage shall be reviewed with the following considerations and criteria: a. Use of subdued, low-key colors b. Location,size,and height that do not obstruct views of the community,the river corridor,traditional open spaces,or the mountains, c. Sign is built of permanent,durable materials, d. Size and location avoids or minimizes the sense of clutter with nearby signs e. The sign is professionally prepared and finished on both sides, f. The location and placement of the sign will not endanger motorists or pedestrians and does not interfere with the clear vision triangle at street, railroad,or street driveway intersections, g. The sign will not cover or blanket any prominent view of a structure or façade of historical or architectural significance, h. The sign will not obstruct views of users of adjacent buildings to side yards,yards or to nearby open space, i. The sign will not negatively impact the visual quality of a public open space such as a recreation facilities,square, plaza,court yard and the like, j. The sign cannot be seen from the Yellowstone River or any city,county or state park or— if it can be seen-it must be located 1,000 feet from the boundaries of such spaces. 3.2.Only one sign is allowed per parcel of record and there shall be at least one thousand feet i"� between signs. r � 4.3.A construction permit is required whenever the sign copy is changed and any alterations to n the sign are made. . - - ••• - - - - - - - - - ' . • - -- 5.7 4.Signs shall be limited to one hundred sixty square feet in copy area. 6.5. Non-conforming signs are required to be brought into compliance with this ordinance within six years from the date of adoption of this ordinance or upon the earliest occurrence of the following events. a. The sign is relocated or replaced, b. The structure or size of the sign is altered in any way, c. The sign suffers more than 50 percent appraised damage or deterioration or the sign is taken out of service for any reason,such as being knocked down by weather or other means, d. If any non-conforming sign is abandoned or voluntarily discontinued for a period of one hundred eighty days,any subsequent use must be in conformity with this ordinance.An abandoned sign is a sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, lessor,service,owner, product,or activity,and/or for which no legal owner can be found.An abandoned sign is to be removed by the owner within fifteen days of notice from the public works department. 7.6. No portable signs as described in the city signage ordinance are allowed in the EZD. 7.Transit Bus Benches.Transit bus benches,with or without advertising, may be placed within the city right-of-way upon application and approval of the ADA coordinator,the transit administrator and in consultation with the public work director.All benches must comply with any applicable city,state,and or/federal standards or regulations.The City may approve a bench provider, with or without advertising, pursuant to its procurement policy,as amended. s3 8. Lighting.All sign lighting must incorporate cut-off shields to direct light downward. Luminaries shall not be visible from adjacent streets or properties.A sign's lighting will not cause hazardous or unsafe driving conditions for motorists and will not glare, reflect,or spill onto adjacent business or residential areas.