1. Temporary SignsPlanning Department
201 1" Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-7940
Fax: (406) 758-7739
www.kalispell.com/planning
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tom Jentz, Director
Myrt Webb, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Temporary Signs
MEETING DATE: April 13, 2009 (work session)
BACKGROUND: On December 22, the Council held a work session regarding
temporary signs, with a focus on off -premise real estate signs. The Council expressed
an interest in trying a new program to allow certain off -premise temporary signs
under certain conditions. The following summarizes the points the Council indicated
should be included as part of such a program:
• A permit should be issued for a fixed period of time. It was suggested that
$250.00 per year could be an appropriate fee.
• The sign should not be placed in the right-of-way.
• The applicant must have permission from the underlying property owner.
• The sign should be placed and removed daily.
• The program should have a specific sunset clause.
Based on those points, staff drafted a proposed zoning text amendment to
implement the program:
Section 27.24.050
(c)(2) Off -Premise Temporary Signs. Off -premise temporary signs are allowed
provided that a temporary sign permit is first obtained from the Planning
Department. The permit shall be valid for a period of six months (January
through June and July through December). The fee shall be set by the
Council, and any permit applied for after the first month in the term will be
prorated on a monthly basis.
(a) A lot is limited to no more than one off -premise permit for a single
sign during any permit period established under this section.
(b) A sign is limited to a maximum of three feet in height and 16 square
feet per face. fed. note: the height limit is the general standard to
ensure the sign does not block traffic vision and the 16 square feet is
the maximum allowed size for commercial real estate signs, which is
the largest real estate sign allowed under the current ordinance}
(c) The general standards for temporary signs contained in Section
27.24.050 apply, with the exception of 27.24.050(d), which prohibits
off -premise advertising. (ed. note: general standards are (1) signs
cannot be placed or extend over the right-of-way; (2) signs are subject
to clear vision triangle requirements and other location requirements
due to safety considerations; and (3) signs should be designed to be
stable in all weather conditions)
(d) Off -premise signs may be displayed from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(e) As part of the permit application, an applicant shall submit a letter
from the property owner providing permission to display the sign and
the time frame, if any, for which the permission is granted.
(fl This provision (Section 27.24.050(c)(2)) shall be in effect only through
December 31, 2009, unless renewed by the Council.
Resolution: Set the fee at $120/six months (equates to $20 per month/$240 per
yea')
RECOMMENDATION: Council should provide direction to staff regarding whether to
bring forward the zoning text amendment and the resolution establishing a fee for an
off -premise temporary sign.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Jentz
Director
Report compiled March 27, 2009
Cc: Theresa White, Kalispell City Clerk
Webb
Interim City Manager