Text Amendment_Off-Premise Sign AreaDubuque
bit IA
DUB E All-America City
1 1111
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007
THE CITY OF
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall — 50 W. 13 Street
Dubuque IA 52001
Applicant: City of Dubuque
Description: To amend Article 15 -12 of the Unified Development Code regarding off -
premise sign area.
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The City of Dubuque Zoning Advisory Commission has reviewed the above -cited
request. The application, staff report and related materials are attached for your review.
Discussion
Staff reviewed existing and revised language regulating off - premise signs.
There were no public comments. An email in support was received.
Planning Services Department
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001 -4805
Office (563) 589 -4210
Fax (563) 589 -4221
TTY (563) 690 -6678
planning@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
January 11, 2010
The Zoning Advisory Commission discussed the request, noting that the new language
does not change regulations pertaining to off - premise signs but clarifies the existing
requirements.
Recommendation
By a vote of 6 to 0 the Zoning Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council
approve the request.
A simple majority vote is needed for the City Council to approve the request.
Respectfully submitted,
mil
Jeff Stiles, Chairperson
Zoning Advisory Commission
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
['Variance
DConditional Use Permit
❑Appeal
❑Special Exception
['Limited Setback Waiver
DRezoning
Dubuque
simmeican
1I
2007
PLANNING APPLICATION FORM
❑Planned District
['Preliminary Plat
DMinor Final Plat
F Text Amendment
['Simple Site Plan
DMinor Site Plan
Please type or print legibly in ink
Property owner(s): Phone:
Address: City: State: Zip:
Fax Number: Cellular Number: E -mail Address:
Applicant/Agent: Citv of Dubuque Phone: 563 - 589 -4210
Address: 50 W. 13 St.
Fax: Cell: E -mail:
Site location /address: city-wide
Existing zoning: N/A Proposed zoning: N/A
City: Dubuque State: IA Zip:52001
Legal Description (Sidwell parcel ID# or lot number /block number /subdivision):
Total property (lot) area (square feet or acres):
Describe proposal and reason necessary (attach a letter of explanation, if needed): To amend Section 15 -12 of the Unified
Development Code to clarify permitted sign area for off- premise signs.
CERTIFICATION: I /we, the undersigned, do hereby certify that:
1. It is the property owner's responsibility to locate property lines and to check your abstract for easements and restrictive
covenants.
2. The information submitted herein is true and correct to the best of my /our knowledge and upon submittal becomes public
record;
3. Fees are not refundable and payment does not guarantee approval; and
4. All additional required written and graphic materials are attached.
Property Owner(s): Date:
Applicant/Agent: Date: /
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY — APPLICATION SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST
Fee: N/A Received by: �.
❑ Site /sketch plan
❑ Conceptual Development Plan
['Major Site Plan
['Major Final Plat
['Simple Subdivision
DAnnexation
['Temporary Use Permit
District: N/A Landmark: N/A
Date: /
[Photo
/9
❑ Plat
City of Dubuque
Planning Services Department
Dubuque, IA 52001 -4864
Phone: 563-589-4210
Fax: 563 - 589 -4221
['Certificate of Economic Non - Viability
['Certificate of Appropriateness
['Historic Designation
❑Neighborhood Assoc
DAdvisory Design Review
❑Other:
Docket:
❑ Improvement plans ❑ Design review project description ❑ Floor plan ❑ Other:
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Zoning Advisory Commission p�
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
SUBJECT: Clarification of UDC Off - Premise Signage Regulations
Dubuque
kiltil
All-America City
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2007
December 17, 2009
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum transmits a proposed text amendment to Section 15 -12 of the
Unified Development Code (UDC) to clarify permitted sign area for off - premise signs in
commercial and industrial zoning districts. An ordinance is attached.
DISCUSSION
In October 2009, the City of Dubuque adopted the UDC. This Code replaced the sign
regulations in the Zoning Ordinance. As part of the review process for the UDC, sign
regulations were reviewed by a committee of City staff and citizens. The UDC Sign
Committee recommended changes to the sign regulations, and these were incorporated
into the UDC.
The UDC Sign Committee reviewed off - premise sign standards, added regulations
regarding off - premise electronic message signs, and asked that the language regarding
allowed sign area be clarified. The original Zoning Ordinance language for commercial
districts stated that the maximum area permitted for off - premise sign was: "300 square
feet per sign, or 750 square feet per sign allowed if freestanding and abuts state or
federal highway, or if freestanding and setback is as least 200 feet from historic
districts ".
The adopted UDC regulations read: "750 square feet per sign when abutting a state or
federal highway, but only 300 square feet on all other City streets or within 200 feet of a
historic district." This language, however, does not reflect the UDC Sign Committee's
recommendation clearly. Therefore, after working with City Legal staff and the off-
premise sign representative on the UDC Sign Committee to clarify the language, staff
proposes that the UDC be changed to read: "750 square feet per sign, but only 300
square feet per sign if within 200 feet of an historic district and not abutting a state or
federal highway."
Clarification of UDC Off - Premise Signage Regulations
Page 2
The new language is clearer and much easier for staff and sign contractors to interpret.
This language also reflects the intent of the original ordinance and the UDC Sign
Committee's recommendations. Assistant City Attorney Tim O'Brien has reviewed this
information and said it is concise and unambiguous.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Zoning Advisory Commission recommend adoption of the
proposed text amendment clarifying the off - premise sign area language.
Prepared by: Guy Hemenway, Assistant Planner
Attachments
cc: Tim O'Brien, Assistant city Attorney
(01/05/2010) Guy Hemenway - Zoning Advisory Commission Meeting Page 1
From: "James Schumacher" <jschumacher @lamar.com>
To: <ghemenwa @cityofdubuque.org>
Date: 01/05/2010 10:26 AM
Subject: Zoning Advisory Commission Meeting
Hi Guy...Good morning.
I received notice of tomorrow's ZAC meeting to amend Article 15 -12 of the
UDC relating to off - premise signs. Unfortunately, I do have a schedule
conflict and will not be able to attend. I had a chance to mention this to
Laura at a function yesterday and asked if there are any concerns with me
not being there. She didn't think so but thought it best I send you an email
expressing my support of the amendment. I would appreciate it if you can
share with the committee my support of this amendment for reasons listed in
your letter to the commission.
Thanks much Guy for your help with this matter.
Happy New Year!!
PS: I can arrange my schedule to be there if you feel it's absolutely
necessary. Hoping it is not a concern...Please advise.
Jim Schumacher
Vice President / General Manager
Lamar Advertising of Dubuque / Quad Cities
Ph: (563) 556 -4141 Fax: (563) 556 -0648
jschumacher @lamar. com
EXHIBIT A
fede highway, buten
stFeetS F4.Y i th i R:tQGGfR
Freestanding hi.t.Fis- distfiet 750' per 50 feet
sign, but only 300' per sign if
All Off - premise signs within 200' of an historic
district and not abutting a
state or federal highway.
Below eave or
Wall 300 per sign
parapet
Spacing between any 2 off - premises sign
structures, which are located on either
side of federal aid primary highway(s),
and oriented toward said highway(s) will
be no less than 750 feet, and spacing
between any 2 off - premises sign
100 feet from structures, which are located on either
No flashing
historic district side of all other city street(s) will be no
less than 500 feet. A lineal
measurement perpendicular to the
center line of the roadway(s) will apply
to determine requried distance and is
taken from the nearest point of each
structure
None
Freestanding 50 feet
Spacing between any 2off- premises sign
7=90 per sigR wheR abutt
e3QQ per s 9R a etheF G
F
All Off - premise signs �-ktaF.�- ENStFi6t . 750' per
Below eave or
Wall sign, but only 300' per sign
parapet
if within 200' of an historic
district not abutting a state
or federal highway.
structures, which are located on either
side of federal aid primary highway(s),
and oriented toward said highway(s) will
be no less than 750 feet, and spacing
between any 2 off - premises sign
100 feet from structures, which are located on either
No flashing
historic district side of all other city street(s) will be no
less than 500 feet. A lineal
measurement perpendicular to the
center line of the roadway(s) will apply
to determine requried distance and is
taken from the nearest point of each
structure
None
:Off- premise signs shall 20 feet from
Freestanding 25 feet
1. be permitted only by 300 per sign property line; As determined by Zoning Board of No flashing None
Conditional Use Below eave or 100 feet from Adjustment
Permit Wall parapet historic district
EXHIBIT A
7-50 peF S when abutting
inn p S i gA on all e ther
.,
Cit rt Fee O within Inn
All Off - premise signs Below eave or
Wall 750' per sign but only 300'
per sign if within 200' of an parapet
historic district and not
abutting a state or federal
highway.
Spacing between any 2 off - premises sign
structures, which are located on either side of
federal aid primary highway(s), and oriented
toward said highway(s) will be no less than 750
100 feet from feet, and spacing between any 2 off - premises
historic district sign structures, which are located on either side No flashing
of all other city street(s) will be no less than 500
feet. A lineal measurement perpendicular to the
center line of the roadway(s) will apply to
determine requried distance and is taken from
the nearest point of each structure
None
Off- premise sign spacing requirements shall be measured perpendicular to the centerline of the street which the sign is oriented toward, between the closest point on each sign structure
Freestanding 50 feet
Prepared by: Laura Carstens, City Planner Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th St Telephone: 589 -4210
Return to: Jeanne Schneider City Clerk Address: City Hall- 50 W. l3` St Telephone: 589 -4121
ORDINANCE NO. 2 -10
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 16 OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF
ORDINANCES, UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, BY REPEALING SECTION 15 -12
OFF - PREMISE SIGNS AND ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 15 -12 OFF - PREMISE
SIGNS IN LIEU THEREOF, PERTAINING TO THE REGULATIONS OF OFF - PREMISE
SIGNS ALONG STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHWAYS AND NEAR HISTORIC
DISTRICTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That Title 16 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances, Unified
Development Code, is hereby amended by repealing Section 15 -12 Off - Premise Signs
and adopting a new Section 15 -12 Off- Premise Signs in lieu thereof, pertaining to the
regulation of off - premise signs along state or federal highways and near historic
districts, as shown in Exhibit A.
Section 2. The foregoing amendment has heretofore been reviewed by the
Zoning Advisory Commission of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication, as
provided by law.
Attest:
eanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
Passed, approved and adopted this 19 day of January, 2010.
David T. Resnick , Mayor Pro -Tem