Agenda - Council - 05/12/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # S INTRODUCE ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY CODE 9.11 (PERFORMANCE STANDARDS) & 9.12 (SIGNS) TO REQUIItE HEIGHT, SETBACK, AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR FLAG POLES. By: AI Haugen, Management Intern Background: Flag regulations in Ramsey City Code Sections 9.11 (Performance Standards) and 9.12 (Signs) are currently in conflict with respect to height limitations. In order to rectify the situation, one of these sections must be amended. On February 5, 2009 the Planning Commission discussed this topic and requested information on how other cities regulate flags, and reconsidered this issue on March 5`", 2009. Notification: The Public Hearing to consider amendments to Chapter 9.11 (Performance Standards) and to Chapter 9.12 (Signs) was properly advertised in the official City newspaper. Observations: Currently, City Code Section 9.12.03 Subd. 11 (Flags), restricts flag pole height to twenty-five.(25) feet. However, City Code Section 9.11.11 (Permitted Encroachments) specifically excludes flag poles from any height or setback restrictions. Staff believes that footings for any flag-pole should be subject to inspection priorto installation. Staff has included desirable elements of flag regulations from the codes of other cities. This ordinance will: • Limit the height of flag-poles .to the maximum building height of the underlying zoning district, or forty (40) feet high, whichever is less. o Based on Planning Commission discussion on 02.05.09. • Require that flag-pole footings are reviewed and issued a building permit. o Based on staff concern for public safety. • Require a setback equal to the height of the flag-pole without footings, or ten feet with footings. o Based on staff concern for public safety. • Prevent flags from covering more than fifty-percent (50%) of a flag-pole. o Based on Planning Commission discussion on 03.05.09. o Intended to prevent .flags from draping too low to the ground. On March 5"' the. Planning Commission discussed alternative means to restrict the size of flags. The Commission was more supportive of limit on the total area of flags, than a limit on the length or number of flags. Flag regulations from some nearby cities are summarized in attachment A. Funding Source: All costs associated with processing the City Code amendments are handled through normal staff duties.