ZONE TEXT CHANGE REQUEST
COLUMBIA FALLS AREA ZONING JURISDICTION
COLUMBIA FALLS PLANNING OFFICE STAFF REPORT CZT-10-02
A report to the Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board and Zoning Commission and the Columbia Falls City Council regarding a request to amend the zoning text for the Columbia Falls zoning Jurisdiction. The zone text change request is scheduled for a public hearing before the Planning Board on April13, 2010, at 6:30 P.M and a hearing before the City Council on April 19, 2010, both hearings to be held at 130 6th Street West, Columbia Falls, Montana.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- PETITIONERS
City of Columbia Falls.
- PETITIONER’S TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
None.
- REQUEST
Create a new part to Title 18.438.020 H. allowing the siting and installation of one city entrance sign on any major arterial entrance to the City of Columbia Falls.
- REASON FOR REQUEST
Current sign ordinance to allow such a sign only in commercial or industrial zones. The desire is to allow such a sign to be located in other zones immediately adjacent to the City limits but in zones other than commercial or industrial zones. Also, a “city entrance” sign is not specifically recognized in the code; therefore, no prescription are present to regulate the size of such a sign.
- PROPOSED TEXT TO CREATE OR AMENDED
18.438.020
H. City Entrance Sign: The City of Columbia Falls may allow one sign on each arterial entering the City a sign that displays the following: the name of the City; a salutation, such as “welcome”; a motto, not more than ten words in length and without any commercial message; combined with service club signs, not to exceed a count of six, none larger than 36 inches in height, width or diameter. If the sign is visible from right-of-way controlled by the State of Montana, the sign will comply with State prescriptions; located in other areas the sign shall meet the following limits: shall be free standing; sign face area not exceeding 150 square feet; height not exceeding 20 feet; setback from the property line same as the primary use for the zone in which located; located outside the clear vision triangle; message on one side only; and may be illuminated provided the lighting meets the prescriptions for lighted signs and Section 18.432 Lighting.
- SUMMARY
Interest has been shown in constructing welcome signs along Highway 2 on each end of the City. Current local sign ordinance does not allow signs of the type and size proposed to be located outside a commercial or industrial zone; the desired areas of location are both in residential zoned areas. In addition, Montana Department of Transportation requires any sign visible from State right-of-way to have a state permit; such a permit requires that the sign comply with the local sign jurisdictions requirements. In order for the signs to be placed as proposed the City of Columbia Falls Planning Jurisdictions zoning ordinance must be amended to include a new part that recognizes these “entrance signs.”
- RECOMMENDATION
Modify part 18.438.020 to insert part H. to allow the City the authority to allow the installation of an official city sign at the major entrances to the City.