03 19 2024- Planning Comm mtg Agenda Packet
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024 7:00 P.M.
A G E N D A
CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL / (LIAISON) SCHEDULE
GORHAM () absent
EGGENBERGER () _ _
HUSKINS () ______
HOLKER (Mar) ______
JOHNSON () ______
COUNCIL LIAISON SANSCHAGRIN (Jan-June) ______
COUNCIL LIAISON ZERBY (July-Dec)______
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 6, 2024
3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
This is an opportunity for members of the public to bring an item, that is not on tonight's
agenda, but related to the governance of the City of Shorewood, to the attention of the
City Council. In providing this limited public forum, the City of Shorewood expects
respectful participation. We encourage all speakers to be courteous in their language
and behavior, and to confine their remarks to those facts that are relevant to the
question or matter under discussion. Please remember that this is a public business
meeting, available for viewing on television and the internet by members of the public,
including children. Consistent with FCC rules, obscenity, and profane or indecent
language will not be tolerated by the presiding officer. Anyone wishing to address the
Council should raise their hand, or if attending remotely please use the “raise hand”
function on your screen and wait to be called on. Please make your comments from the
podium and identify yourself by your first and last name and your address for the record.
Please limit your comments to three minutes. No discussion or action will be taken by
the Council on this matter. If requested by the Council, City staff will prepare a report for
the Council regarding the matter and place it on the next agenda.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A) Amendments to create content neutral sign regulations.
Location: Citywide
Applicant: City of Shorewood
5. OTHER BUSINESS
A) Variance to expand a non-conforming home.
Location: 20750 Garden Road
Applicant: Matthew Sayer
Planning Commission Meeting Agenda
Page 2
B) Discussion of amendments to implement high density housing land use
classification and related amendments.
Location: Citywide
Applicant: City of Shorewood
C) Nomination and Election of Officers.
D) 2024 Work Program and Schedule of Meetings.
E) Liaisons for Upcoming Council Meetings.
6. REPORTS
A) Council Meeting Report
B) Draft Next Meeting Agenda
7. ADJOURNMENT
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2024 7:00 P.M.
DRAFT MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Gorham called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Gorham; Commissioners Eggenberger, Huskins, Holker and Johnson;
Planning Director Darling; and, Council Liaison Sanschagrin
Absent: None
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Johnson moved, Holker seconded, approving the agenda for February 6, 2024, as
presented. Motion passed 5/0.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 2, 2024
Eggenberger moved, Huskins seconded, approving the Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes of January 2, 2024, as presented. Motion passed 5/0.
3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR – NONE
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS – NONE
5. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Discussion of Amendments for Content Neutral Sign Code
Planning Director Darling explained that this would be the last time the Commission saw the draft
version of the amendments for the Content Neutral Sign Code. She stated that the final version
is expected to be brought back at a March meeting before moving onto the Council. She noted
that the current draft incorporated the comments made by the Commission at their last meeting
and also addressed any outstanding issues that had not been previously included, such as:
temporary athletic field sponsorships signs; temporary event signs; real estate signs; abandoned
signs; billboards; and nonconforming signs. She explained that next steps in the review and
approval process.
Commissioner Huskins asked if these amendments would be reviewed by the City Attorney before
a final version is presented to the Council.
Planning Director Darling confirmed that he would review them and noted that he has already
gone through sections and has discussed with her, in depth, about many issues, but would go
through the complete final version of the document.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 6, 2024
Page 2 of 3
Commissioner Huskins asked for clarification on the language used within the staff report related
to Temporary Event Signs.
Planning Director Darling reviewed the language and suggested that a better way to have worded
it would be for ‘all commercial districts and commercial uses in the R-C zoning district’.
Commissioner Johnson asked that the Commission get a summary of the comments made by
the City Attorney following his review.
Planning Director Darling stated that she could get that summary to the Commission and
reiterated that the City Attorney has been involved in discussions with planning staff about some
of these proposed amendments
Commissioner Johnson suggested that, since they are trying to make everything neutral as a
result of a court decision, that it may make sense to provide a summary and description of why
this is being done the way it is being done due to that court decision, so it is easier for people to
understand.
The Commission reviewed the proposed amendments on a page by page basis and made various
detailed suggestions for wording changes throughout for the final version of the document.
Commissioner Johnson asked for an explanation of what would happen when this came before
the Council.
Planning Director Darling stated that the Planning Commission will hold the formal public hearing
and depending on any changes that come out of that input, it would then go before the City
Council.
Commissioner Huskins noted that the City Council would receive all the various memos and
previous versions of this document.
Planning Director Darling clarified that she was not planning to give them all the previous versions
because she felt that would be confusing. She explained that she was planning to give them the
current document and the proposed version of this document.
Chair Gorham asked when the next Planning Commission meeting would be held.
Planning Director Darling stated that it will be on March 19, 2024 and would anticipate that this
item would go before the Council in April.
6. REPORTS
• Council Meeting Report
Council Liaison Sanschagrin reported on matters discussed and actions taken during the
Council’s recent meeting and annual retreat.
• Draft Next Meeting Agenda
Planning Director Darling stated that on the next agenda, the Planning Commission would review
the final version of the amendments for the content neutral sign code and a variance request.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 6, 2024
Page 3 of 3
She reminded the Planning Commission that the next meeting would be held on March 19, 2024
because the first Tuesday of the month is compromised by the primary election.
Commissioner Eggenberger suggested that they schedule the upcoming liaisons for the Council
meetings.
Commissioner Holker - March
Chair Gorham asked about the timing for a decision for new Commissioners.
Planning Director Darling explained that interviews were scheduled for February 26, 2024
7. ADJOURNMENT
Huskins moved, Holker seconded, adjourning the Planning Commission meeting of
February 6, 2024, at 8:53 P.M. Motion passed 5/0.
Current Regula?ons:
1201.02 Defini?ons
SIGN. The use of any words, numerals, figures, devices or trademarks by which
anything is made known such as are used to show an individual, firm, profession or
business and are visible to the general public.
SIGN - ADDRESS. A sign communicating street address only, whether script or
in numerical form. In R Districts an address sign may include the name of the resident.
SIGN - ADVERTISING. A billboard, poster panel, painted bulletin board or other
communication device which is used to advertise products, goods or services which are
not exclusively related to the premises on which the sign is located.
SIGN AREA. The total area of a sign measured at the perimeter of the surface
on which the sign is inscribed. For signs consisting of letters, figures, or symbols applied
directly onto a building or structure, the sign area shall be that area enclosed within the
smallest rectangle that can be made to circumscribe the sign.
SIGN - AREA IDENTIFICATION. A freestanding sign which identifies the name
of a residential housing development, an office or business structure containing two or
more independent concerns; a single business consisting of three or more separate
structures existing on individual platted lots or as a planned unit development; or any
integrated combination of the above. The sign is limited only to the identification of an
area or complex and does not contain the name of individual owners or tenants nor
does it contain advertising.
SIGN - BENCH. A sign which is affixed to a bench such as at a bus stop.
SIGN - BUSINESS. Any sign which identifies a business or group of businesses,
either retail or wholesale, or any sign which identifies a profession or is used in the
identification or promotion of any principal commodity or service, including
entertainment, offered or sold upon the premises where the sign is located.
SIGN - CAMPAIGN. A temporary sign promoting the candidacy of a person
running for a governmental office or promoting an issue to be voted on at a
governmental election.
SIGN - CANOPY. Any message or identification which is affixed to a projection
or extension of a building or structure erected in a manner as to provide a shelter or
cover over the approach to any entrance of a store, building or place of assembly.
SIGN - CONSTRUCTION. A sign placed at a construction site identifying the
project or the name of the architect, engineer, contractor, financier or other involved
parties.
SIGN - DIRECTIONAL. A sign erected on public or private property which bears
the address or name or both of a business, institution, religious institution or other use
or activity plus directional arrows or information on location.
SIGN - DIRECTORY. An exterior informational wall sign which identifies the
names of businesses served by a common public entrance in a shopping center.
SIGN - DYNAMIC DISPLAY. A sign or characteristics of a sign that appear to
have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically
removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or
change is in the display, the sign structure itself, or any other component of the sign.
This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the sign face
to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face
or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking,
or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights
manipulated through digital input, "digital ink" or any other method or technology that
allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays.
SIGN - FREESTANDING. Any stationary or portable, self-supported sign not
affixed to any other structure.
SIGN - HOLIDAY. Decorations or messages which recognize an official national,
state or local holiday.
SIGN - ILLUMINATED. Any sign which is lighted by an artificial light source
either directed upon it or illuminated from an interior source.
SIGN - INFORMATIONAL. Any sign giving information to employees, visitors or
delivery vehicles, but containing no advertising or identification.
SIGN - INSTITUTIONAL. A sign which identifies the name and other
characteristics of a public or semi-public institution on the site where the sign is located.
SIGN - INTEGRAL. A sign carrying the name of a building, its date of erection,
monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone,
concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent type of
construction and made an integral part of the structure.
SIGN - MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF. The vertical distance measured from the grade
to the top of a sign.
SIGN - MENU BOARD. Any sign that has a message related to the site's food
service and the copy is manually or electronically changed and the lettering of which is
two inches or less in height so as to not be readable from the adjoining street right-of-
way or adjoining property.
SIGN - MINIMUM HEIGHT OF. The vertical distance measured from the nearest
finished grade to the lower limit of the sign.
SIGN - MONUMENT. A sign whose base and structure is positioned primarily on
the ground and is typically solid from grade to the top of the structure.
SIGN - NONCONFORMING.
a. LEGAL. A sign which lawfully existed at the time of the passage of
this chapter or amendments thereto, but which does not conform with the regulations of
this chapter.
b. ILLEGAL. A sign which was constructed after the passage of this
chapter or amendments thereto and does not conform with the regulations of this
chapter.
SIGN - PORTABLE. A sign so designed as to be movable from one location to
another and which is not permanently attached to the ground or structure.
SIGN - PROJECTING. A sign, other than a wall sign, which is affixed to a
building and which extends perpendicular from the building wall.
SIGN - PUBLIC. Any sign erected by municipal, county, state or other
governmental agencies, including, but not limited to street signs, traffic-control signs
and parking-control signs.
SIGN - REAL ESTATE. A business sign placed upon a property advertising that
particular property for sale, for rent or for lease.
SIGN - ROOF. Any sign which is erected, constructed or attached wholly or in
part upon or over the roof of a building.
SIGN - ROTATING. A sign which revolves or rotates on its axis.
SIGN - STRUCTURE. The supports, uprights, bracing and framework for a sign,
including the sign area.
SIGN - TEMPORARY. Any sign which is erected or displayed for a specific
period of time.
SIGN - WALL. A sign which is affixed to the exterior wall of a building and which
is parallel to the building wall. A wall sign does not project more than 12 inches from the
surface to which it is attached, nor extend beyond the top of the parapet wall.
SIGN - WALL GRAPHIC. A sign which is painted directly on an exterior wall
surface.
SIGN - WINDOW. A sign affixed to or inside of a window in view of the general
public. This does not include merchandise on display.
Sec?on 1201.03 Subd. 11. Signs:
Subd. 11. Signs.
a. Purpose. This subdivision is established to protect and promote
health, safety, general welfare and order within the City of Shorewood through the
establishment of a comprehensive and impartial set of standards, regulations and
procedures governing the type, numbers, size, structure, location, height, lighting,
erection, use and/or display of devices, signs or symbols serving as a visual
communication media to persons situated within or upon public rights-of-way or
properties. The provisions of this subdivision are intended to encourage opportunity for
effective, orderly communication by reducing confusion and hazards resulting from
unnecessary and/or indiscriminate use of communication facilities.
b. Permitted and prohibited signs.
(1) Permitted signs. The following signs are allowed without a
permit, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this chapter:
(a) Public signs;
(b) Address signs;
(c) Integral signs;
(d) Every campaign sign must contain the name and
address of persons responsible for the sign, and that person shall be responsible for its
removal. Signs shall be permitted on each lot for a period of 100 days prior to and ten
days after an election. All campaign signs or other noncommercial speech signs may be
posted from 46 days before the state primary in a state general election year until ten
days following the state general election, pursuant to M.S. § 211B.045. Signs posted
both during and after this time period are subject to all other applicable requirements in
this subdivision. At any time, the city shall have the right to remove signs that are
prohibited under this subdivision, and assess a fee as provided from time to time by
ordinance. Campaign signs or other noncommercial speech signs shall not be located
closer than ten feet from any street surface, and shall not be placed in front of any
property without the consent of the property owner;
(e) Holiday signs, displayed for a period not to exceed 30
days and no larger than 32 square feet in area;
(f) Construction signs. The signs shall be confined to the
site of the construction, alteration or repair and shall be removed within two years of the
date of issuance of the first building permit or when the particular project is completed,
whichever is sooner as determined by the city Building Official or his or her agent. One
sign shall be permitted for each major street the project abuts. No sign may exceed 50
square feet;
(g) Real estate sale or rental signs. Signs must be
removed within 14 days after sale or rental of property. Signs may not measure more
than six square feet in residential districts, nor more than 20 square feet in all other
districts. There shall be only one sign per premises. Corner properties, however, may
contain two signs, one per frontage. Lakeshore lots may contain two signs, one in the
front and one facing the lake;
(h) Informational/directional signs shall be limited to three
square feet in area and eight feet in height and shall conform to the location provisions
of the specific district;
(i) Owner-occupant signs. One residential name sign,
not to exceed two square feet in area, identifying only the name of the owner or
occupant of a residential building.
(2) Prohibited signs. The following signs are specifically
prohibited by this chapter:
(a) Any sign which obstructs the vision of drivers or
pedestrians or detracts from the visibility of any official traffic-control device;
(b) Any sign which contains or imitates an official traffic
sign or signal, except for private, on-premises directional signs;
(c) Any sign which moves, rotates, has any moving parts
or gives the illusion of motion, except for time and temperature information and dynamic
display signs as regulated in g. of this subdivision;
(d) Except for holiday signs and exceptions provided in
provision c.(4) below, any sign which contains or consists of banners, pennants,
ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners or similar devices;
(e) Portable signs (except as provided in provision c.(4)
below);
(f) Signs which are attached in any manner to trees,
fences, utility poles or other permanent supports;
(g) No sign shall be illuminated with any flashing or
intermittent lights, nor shall it be animated, except for time and temperature information.
All displays shall be shielded to prevent any light to be directed at on-coming traffic in
the brilliance as to impair the vision of any driver. No device shall be illuminated in a
manner as to interfere with or obscure an official traffic sign or signal. No light shall be
directed onto a lake so as to interfere with navigation thereon;
(h) Roof signs.
(i) Window signs where the total area of such signs
exceeds 10% of the total glass area of the window space as viewed from the street, to a
maximum of 20 square feet.
c. General provisions.
(1) All signs shall comply with the Minnesota State Building
Code as may be amended.
(2) When electrical signs are installed, the installation shall be
subject to the State Building Code as may be amended.
(3) No portion of any sign shall be located within five feet of any
property line. No signs other than governmental signs and political campaign signs as
provided in b.(1)(d) of this subdivision shall be erected or temporarily placed within any
street right-of- way or upon public lands or easements or rights-of-way. Any
unauthorized signs located in public right-of-way or on public property shall be
considered abandoned and are subject to immediate removal and disposal without
notice.
(4) Temporary signs.
(a) The temporary use of signs, searchlights, banners,
pennants and similar devices shall require a permit. The permit shall be valid for ten
consecutive days. The permit shall be prominently displayed during the period of
validity. Only two temporary permits may be granted for any property within any 12-
month period. Temporary signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. Any new
business that has applied for its permanent business sign may, at the same time, apply
for a temporary business sign to be displayed for no longer than 30 days, or until the
permanent sign has been erected, whichever comes first. The temporary business sign
shall be professionally prepared and shall be no larger than the approved permanent
sign.
(b) A conditional use permit may be granted to nonprofit
athletic associations, contracted with the city pursuant to Section 902.06 of this code,
for the display of temporary business sponsorship signs to be placed on certain ball field
fences on public property, provided that:
(i) A nonprofit athletic association under contract
with the City may display signs only on facilities that have been reserved for its use;
(ii) Signs may be displayed only in a community
park, as defined in the Shorewood Comprehensive Plan;
(iii) Signs may be displayed only on outfield
fences, facing into the ball field, and situated so as to minimize view of the signs from
adjacent residential properties;
(iv) All signs must be professionally made, using
durable weather resistant material, painted or colored dark green on the back side of
the sign;
(v) Signs are limited in size to no larger than 42
inches in height and seven feet in length;
(vi) There shall be a minimum spacing between
signs of seven feet;
(vii) The maximum number of signs per ball field is
15;
(viii) The nonprofit athletic association is
responsible for maintaining the signs in good repair. If a sign become detached, torn, or
vandalized, the association must repair or replace them immediately or the sign will be
summarily removed by the city;
(ix) The nonprofit athletic association is
responsible for any damage to the fence on which it is displayed that is caused by
installation or display of the sign;
(x) The conditional use permit is subject to review
and recommendation by the Shorewood Park Commission;
(xi) The nonprofit athletic association must obtain
an annual license from the city and enter into a license agreement setting forth the
conditions of approval and the duration of the approval. The association shall pay an
annual license fee as established by the City Council from time to time. The association
shall have no vested right in obtaining licenses from season to season; and
(xii) It shall be the responsibility of the nonprofit
athletic association to obtain a temporary sign permit for each sign to be displayed on
ball field fences, prior to erecting the sign.
(5) No sign or sign structure shall protrude over a public right-of-
way.
(6) All signs which require a permit shall display, in a
conspicuous manner, the owner’s name, permit number and date the sign was erected.
(7) All height restrictions on signs shall include height of sign
structure and be measured from lot grade.
(8) In the case of a two-faced, freestanding sign, where the two
faces of the sign are parallel and face in opposite directions, only one face shall be used
in computing the allowable area of the sign.
(9) Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer
advertises or identifies a business conducted, service rendered or product sold on the
premises shall be removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use or
control of the building or structure upon which the sign may be found within 60 days
from the date of vacancy.
(10) The regulations contained herein shall not apply to traffic
signs or the flag, separate emblem, or insignia of a nation, political unit, school or
religious group, or integral signs. There shall be no more than one United States flag
and no more than three other non-commercial flags. Nor shall these regulations pertain
to a sign inside a building, provided the sign is at least three feet in back of the inside of
the exterior wall and is readable from the inside of the building.
(11) All signs requiring a permit from the city shall be subject to
review and approval by the Zoning Administrator.
d. Nonconforming signs.
(1) The following are nonconforming signs:
(a) Prohibited signs;
(b) All other signs not prohibited that do not conform to
the provisions of this chapter;
(c) Billboards and advertising signs (except as provided
in provision e.(3)(b) of this subdivision).
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (5) below, all
nonconforming and prohibited signs created by this chapter except those signs
exempted by state statutes (M.S. § 462.357, subd. 1c) shall be removed or brought into
conformity with this chapter within the following time periods:
(a) Any sign in violation of prohibited signs: six months
from the date of the enactment of this chapter;
(b) All other nonconforming signs: upon approval of any
building permit, sign permit, or other zoning action.
(3) A nonconforming sign may not be:
(a) Changed to another nonconforming sign;
(b) Structurally altered except to bring into compliance
with the provisions of this chapter;
(c) Expanded;
(d) Reestablished after its removal;
(e) Reestablished after damage of more than 50% of sign
replacement cost except to bring into compliance.
(4) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as relieving the
owner or user of a legal nonconforming sign or owner of the property on which the legal
nonconforming sign is located from the provisions of this subdivision regarding safety,
maintenance and repair of signs contained in subdivision 11c; provided, however, that
any repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of the sign or sign
structure shall not modify the sign structure or copy in any way which makes it more
nonconforming or the sign shall lose its legal nonconforming status.
(5) Notwithstanding provisions to the contrary within this
subdivision, nonconforming off site directional signs located on public rights-of-way may
continue upon a finding by the City Council that:
(a) The sign is reasonably necessary to provide direction
to the business which is advertised by the sign;
(b) The sign (or a substantially similar predecessor) has
been at the location for at least 20 years;
(c) The sign has not represented a safety hazard or an
obstruction to ordinary roadway maintenance activities.
(6) The Council may condition the permission upon the owner of
the establishment entering into an agreement with the city addressing matters, including
liability, indemnity of the city, circumstances calling for removal of the sign, permit fees
and other matters deemed appropriate by the city.
(7) In lieu of permitting the existing sign to remain at its existing
location the City Council may authorize the location of a substitute sign in the existing
location or a different location.
e. District regulations. The following sign standards by zoning district
pertain to signs which require application and permit.
(1) R-1A through R-3B Residential Districts.
(a) Area identification signs (monument type only). One
sign facing each bordering street shall be allowed for each development of 20 or more
units. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, nor shall the sign structure
exceed one-half of the allowable copy area. The signs shall be erected only at the
dedicated street entrance, but not in the public right-of-way, may be indirectly
illuminated and shall not exceed a height of eight feet above grade.
(b) Institution signs. One freestanding sign not to exceed
20 square feet in area. The freestanding sign may be indirectly illuminated and shall not
exceed a height of eight feet above grade. Freestanding signs located adjacent to
intermediate or minor arterial streets, as identified in the Shorewood Comprehensive
Plan, may be internally lit. In addition, one wall sign may be allowed by conditional use
permit, subject to the following:
(i) The total area of signage, including the wall
sign, shall not exceed 5% of the building silhouette as viewed from the street;
(ii) The wall sign may be indirectly illuminated.
(c) Park identification signs. One sign facing each
bordering street. The sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area nor eight feet in
height. The signs may be indirectly illuminated.
(d) Subdivision plat signs. No more than two temporary
signs advertising a new subdivision plat, provided each sign does not exceed 32 square
feet in area, identifying only the plat in which they are located, are nonilluminated and
are erected only at dedicated street entrances to the plat. The signs shall be removed if
construction of subdivision improvements is not in progress on the plat within 60 days
following the date of the sign erection or as soon as 80% of the lots are developed and
sold.
(e) Cemetery identification signs. One freestanding sign
not to exceed 20 square feet in area. The freestanding sign may be affixed to an entry-
way arch, not exceeding 18 feet in height.
(2) R-C Residential/Commercial. Subject to other conditions of
this chapter, the following signs shall be allowed in the R-C District:
(a) Signs are regulated in e.(1) above;
(b) Business signs in the R-C Districts shall be subject to
the requirements of § 1201.19 Subd. 8.d. of this code.
(3) C-1 and C-2 Commercial Districts. Subject to other
conditions of this chapter, the following signs shall be allowed in the C-1 and C-2
Districts.
(a) Business signs.
(i) The maximum number of signs for any
principal building shall be three except by conditional use as provided in (c) below. The
maximum total area for all signs shall be determined by taking 10% of the gross
silhouette area of the front of the building. Where the principal building is on a corner lot
and thus faces two public streets, both sides may be counted.
(ii) For purposes of determining the gross area of
the silhouette of the principal building, the silhouette shall be defined as that area within
an outline drawing of the principal building as viewed from the front lot line or from the
related public street(s).
(iii) Each lot will be allowed only one freestanding
sign except as provided in (c) below.
(b) Advertising signs. Advertising signs are allowed,
provided the number and size of the signs shall be subtracted from the allowable
number and size of allowable business signs provided in (a) above. In no case shall the
area of advertising signs exceed 25% of the total allowable sign area.
(c) Conditional uses. In the case of a shopping center or
where there are two or more business uses, a conditional use permit may be granted to
the entire shopping center in accordance with an overall site and signage plan indicating
the size, location and height of all signs. A maximum of 10% of the gross area of the
building silhouette shall apply to the principal building where aggregate allowable sign
area is distributed among the several businesses. In the case of applying this
conditional use permit to a shopping center, the shopping center may have two
freestanding signs identifying the shopping center.
(d) Freestanding signs. Freestanding signs shall not
exceed 20 feet in height or 80 square feet in area. The total area of the sign structure
shall not exceed one- half of the allowable copy area.
(e) Window signs. The total area of window signs shall
not exceed 10% of the total area of windows as viewed from the street. Window signs
with lettering exceeding 3.5 inches in height shall be debited against the total number
and area of signs allowed for the property.
(f) Menu boards. One digital order confirmation sign and
one menu board sign per restaurant use with a drive-up facility may be allowed in
conjunction with a conditional use permit. The menu board shall not exceed 32 square
feet in area, nor more than eight feet in height, and may be in addition to the
freestanding sign on the property. The digital order confirmation sign shall not exceed
seven square feet and no advertising signage may be placed on the supports or frame
of the sign.
(4) Signs permitted in the P.U.D. Planned Unit Development
District.
(a) Signs permitted in P.U.D.s shall be as approved by
the City Council for each development and shall be consistent with the requirements for
the district most closely associated with each use in the P.U.D.
(b) For P.U.D.s containing 20 acres or more of land, the
city may allow larger construction signs than those allowed in b.(1)(f) of this subdivision.
In determining the size and allowable area of signs in a P.U.D., the city shall take into
consideration the functional classification and designated speed limit of adjacent roads
and potential impact on adjoining residential areas. In no case shall the total allowable
area of construction signs exceed three square feet for each acre of land within the
P.U.D. The total area of the sign shall not exceed 100 square feet and no individual sign
shall exceed 80 square feet.
f. Permit issuance; fees.
(1) No permanent sign shall be erected in the City of Shorewood
until a permit to do so has been approved by the Zoning Administrator and issued by
the office of the Building Official (signs stipulated in b.(1) above shall be exempt from
this requirement). No permit shall be granted until the necessary fee has been paid and
until the Building Official, or his/her designee, has made a preliminary inspection of the
sign before installation and has ascertained that the sign and method of installation
comply with all requirements of this chapter. The Building Official may require that
detailed plans and specifications be submitted with the application if necessary in his or
her judgment. Following permit issuance and sign erection, the Building Official shall
make a final inspection of the sign, and if it complies in every respect with the minimum
standards set forth in this chapter, shall endorse on the permit his or her certificate of
approval.
(2) No temporary sign shall be erected in the City of Shorewood
until a zoning permit to do so has been approved by the Zoning Administrator,
consistent with § 1201.07 Subd. 7. of this chapter. No zoning permit shall be granted
until the necessary fee has been paid. The Zoning Administrator may require an
inspection to determine that the sign has been installed in compliance with the minimum
standards set forth in this chapter or to confirm removal as directed in the zoning permit.
(3) Fees:
(a) Payment of fees. The permit fee and other fees and
charges set forth in this chapter shall be collected by the city before the issuance of any
permits and the Building Official, or other persons duly authorized to issue the permit for
which the payment of a fee is required under the provisions of this chapter, may not
issue a permit until the fees shall have been paid.
(b) Double fees. If a person begins work of any kind for
which a permit from the city is required, without having secured the necessary permits
therefor, either previous to or on the date of commencement of the work, he or she
shall, when subsequently securing each permit, pay double the fee provided for the
permit, or is subject to the penalty provisions of this chapter.
(c) Initial fees. The City Council shall, from time to time,
establish a fee schedule by ordinance.
g. Dynamic display signs.
(1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to allow new
technologies in commercial signage that allow messages to be easily updated, while at
the same time preventing distraction to motorists and minimizing visual impacts of
electronic signage on residential properties. The city finds that dynamic displays should
be allowed on signs but with significant controls to minimize their proliferation and their
potential threat to public safety.
(2) Permitted sign type and locations.
(a) Dynamic display signs are permitted solely as free-
standing signs and only in the C-1, General Commercial and C-2, Commercial Service
Zoning Districts. Dynamic display signs shall be located no closer than 20 feet from a
side lot line. The dynamic display portion of a freestanding sign shall be located at the
bottom of the sign face. Any portion of a dynamic display sign that consists solely of an
alpha-numeric message shall not be counted in the allowable area for the dynamic
display sign, provided the alpha-numeric message remains static for no less than four
hours at a time.
(b) To the extent that signage is allowed in the residential
zoning districts, including the R-C, Residential/Commercial Zoning District, dynamic
display signs shall be restricted to conditional uses in those districts, and shall be limited
to alpha-numeric signs only. Alpha-numeric institutional signs shall be limited to 20
square feet in area and shall be timed to remain static for no less than 90 minutes at a
time.
(3) Duration of image. A dynamic display sign’s image, or any
portion thereof, may not change more often than once every ten minutes, except one for
which changes are necessary to correct hour-and-minute, date, or temperature
information and except as provided in (2) above. A display of time, date, or temperature
must remain for at least ten minutes before changing to a different display, but the time,
date, or temperature information itself may change no more often than once every 60
seconds.
(4) Transition. If a dynamic display sign’s image or any portion
thereof changes, the change sequence must be instantaneous without any special
effects.
(5) Prohibition on video display. No portion of a dynamic display
sign may change any part of its sign face by a method of display characterized by
motion or pictorial imagery, or depict action or a special effect to imitate movement, or
display pictorials or graphics in a progression of frames that gives the illusion of motion
of any kind.
(6) Prohibition on fluctuating or flashing illumination. No portion
of a dynamic display sign image may fluctuate in light intensity or use intermittent,
strobe or moving light, or light that changes in intensity in sudden transitory bursts,
streams, zooms, twinkles, sparkles or in any other manner that creates the illusion of
movement.
(7) Audio. Dynamic display signs shall not be equipped with
audio speakers.
(8) Malfunctions. Dynamic display signs must be designed and
equipped to freeze the sign face in one position if a malfunction occurs. Dynamic
display signs must also be equipped with a means to immediately discontinue the
display if it malfunctions, and the sign owner or operator must immediately turn off the
display when notified by the city that it is not complying with the standards of this
subdivision.
(9) Brightness. All dynamic display signs shall meet the
following brightness standards:
(a) No dynamic display sign may exceed a maximum
illumination of 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours and a
maximum illumination of 500 nits (candelas per square meter) between sunset to
sunrise as measured from the sign’s face at maximum brightness.
(b) All dynamic display signs having illumination by
means other than natural light must be equipped with an ambient light sensor and a
dimmer control or other mechanism to continuously adjust the sign’s brightness to
ensure at any time the sign’s intensity does not exceed 0.3 foot candles above ambient
light levels as measured from 100 feet from the sign’s face and automatically controls
the sign’s brightness to comply with the requirements of this subdivision.
(c) No dynamic display sign may be of such intensity or
brilliance that it interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device or
signal.
(d) The owner or controller of the dynamic display sign
must adjust the sign to meet these brightness standards in accordance with the city’s
instructions. The adjustment must be made immediately upon notice of non-compliance
from the city.
(e) A written certification from the sign manufacturer that
light intensity has been preset to conform to the brightness levels established by code
and that the preset level is protected from end user manipulation by password protected
software or other method. This would offer the advantage of ensuring that electronic
signs at a minimum cannot exceed the standards.
(10) Sign area limitation. Dynamic display signs are allowed only
on free standing signs in the permitted districts. Dynamic display signs may occupy no
more than 25% percent of the actual copy and graphic area. The remainder of the sign
must not have the capability to have dynamic displays even if not used. Only one,
contiguous dynamic display area is allowed on a sign face.
(11) Distance from residential/hours. Dynamic display signs shall
be located not closer than 100 feet from a residential zoning district and any dynamic
display sign located within 500 feet of single- and two-family residential homes must be
programmed to freeze the image between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Marie Darling
From:Marie Darling
Sent:Friday, March 8, 2024 9:12 AM
To:Alan Yelsey
Cc:Marc Nevinski
Subject:RE: Upcoming Sign Ordinance Revisions
Thanks for your comments, I’ll attached them to the memo that is sent to the Planning Commission and City
Council for this item.
The Planning Commission will be reviewing the amendments to the sign regulations on March 19, 2024 at a public
hearing. The Council review date for these amendments would be at a public meeting tentatively scheduled for
th
April 8.
MARIE DARLING
Planning Director
City Hall: 952.960.7900
5755 Country Club Road Direct: 952.960.7912
Shorewood, MN 55331 mdarling@ci.shorewood.mn.us
ci.shorewood.mn.us
From: Alan Yelsey <a.yelsey@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 10:44 PM
To: Marc Nevinski <mnevinski@ci.shorewood.mn.us>; Marie Darling <MDarling@ci.shorewood.mn.us>; Jennifer Labadie
<JLabadie@ci.shorewood.mn.us>; Paula Callies <pcallies@ci.shorewood.mn.us>; Scott Zerby
<szerby@ci.shorewood.mn.us>; Dustin Maddy <DMaddy@ci.shorewood.mn.us>; Guy Sanschagrin
<gsanschagrin@ci.shorewood.mn.us>
Subject: Upcoming Sign Ordinance Revisions
I believe there are just a few basic principles that guide a fair, effective and democratic sign ordinance. I
am happy to discuss these thoughts with you.
1. Private property lawn signs are free speech. Everyone has the constitutional right to place signs on
their property that are safe and protected speech. No free speech differentiation between commercial,
political and non-political speech is necessary. A five foot from road restriction and size restriction for
safety near intersections does not impinge on free speech.
2. The State protects the right of everyone to place political signs on their private property during the
protected election periods. No restrictions on number or size are allowed during that protected period.
That is great.
However, beyond the protected election period, we believe private property residents should have the
1
right throughout the year to place "temporary" signs on their property. A city may restrict the size and
number of the year-round signs to a reasonable number so that free speech is preserved while
reasonable zoning restrictions can be expressed. Political signs should be included among those that
can remain year-round, just as religious signs, police support signs, issue related signs, holiday signs,
expressions of support and congratulations and other signs can remain year-round. Differentiating
between political, commercial, environmental, religious and personal expression signs is impossible and
illegal, and enforcement can be problematic and unfair.
3. Theft of signs should be identified as a deprivation of free speech rights, with clear new local
ordinance criminal and civil penalties making this a known matter to discourage such theft and
compensate those harmed. Further, the City needs to fully and fairly enforce a ban on all signs on public
property. In the past, illegal signs on public right of way and property were not consistently enforced, if at
all. Current incumbent Councilmembers were the biggest abusers of public property protections. Please
alert me to when the sign revisions will be addressed by the City Council and Planning Commission.
Hope this provides a helpful guide. Happy to discuss.
--
Alan
Alan Yelsey
612.616.5430 cell
a.yelsey@gmail.com
2
Marie Darling
From:Tarah Cummings <tarahlin@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, March 10, 2024 7:44 PM
To:Planning
Subject:Setback Variance on 20750 Garden Road
Hello City of Shorewood Planners,
For what it's worth, we would like to submit our approval of/support for the Sayer family's request for a
setback variance at 20750 Garden Road. We live across the street from the property at 20685 Garden
Road, and we are in support of this new family moving in and making reasonable improvements to the
property to update it for their young family. The home is old and dated and it is completely reasonable to
add livable space above the garage and update the home for the family living style of today. As long as
the proposed building does not encroach negatively on our other neighbors' property (the Ambergs at
20770 Garden Road), we are in support of the Sayers' plans.
Thank you,
Chris and Tarah Cummings
20685 Garden Rd, Excelsior, MN 55331
1
Planning
Report At
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