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STAFF REPORT
The City received a request from the McDonalds Corporation on June 13, 1997 for
adequate signage at the proposed McDonalds location at the existing AMOCO Station on
East 13th Street.
It is staff's understanding that McDonalds is proposing to incorporate a restaurant facility
with the existing AMOCO Station. As a result, McDonalds is seeking a sign that will be
effectively visible from Interstate 1-35.
The current sign regulation limits the height of signs to no greater than 50 feet. McDonalds
has performed a line of sight investigation and has determined that a 50 foot height
limitation would make a new sign at the desired location ineffective due to the height of the
existing Sauer-Sunstrand building and the general topography from the north of the
proposed site. As a result, McDonalds is seeking a change to the existing sign regulations
that would allow a taller sign.
Staff has researched other sign regulations from other cities in Iowa, Minnesota, and the
Kansas City metropolitan area. This research has revealed the following height limitations:
Iowa City 65 feet maximum
Waterloo 40 feet maximum
Lenexa, KS 25 feet above the centerline grade of the nearest
through street or 35 feet
Burnsville, MN 45 feet maximum
Plymouth, MN 36 feet maximum
Woodbury, MN 25 feet or 30 if lot is adjacent to interstate
highway
Staff has discussed the concept of changing the sign regulations to allow for taller signs.
Staff believes that if the City Council directs that the ordinance be changed to allow for
taller signs, these taller signs should be permitted only in a corridor along 1-35.
Attached to this Staff report is an initial example of an ordinance amendment to Chapter
5 of the Municipal Code that would allow for an increase in the height of signs along a
corridor either side of 1-35 (within City limits).
Under the sample ordinance attached to this staff report, the proposed width of the corridor
would be 1 ,500 feet from the right-of-way line and the height of the sign could extend up
to 100 feet.
Staff is seeking direction from City Council on the following policy issues:
1 . Should the height limitation for signs be increased for properties that are seeking
sign visibility from Interstate 35?
2. Should taller signs be permitted in a corridor which extends away from Interstate
35? (It is recommended that this corridor not exceed 1 ,500 hundred feet.)
3. Should the height of sign be increased from the existing 50 foot limitation to 100
feet?
If City Council is prepared to dive direction on these policy issues, an ordinance similar to
the example that is attached can be prepared for a public hearing on the ordinance
change.
Attachment
McDonald's Corporation
1650 West 82nd Street
Suite 900
PACDonald'S Bloomington, MN 55431-9888
612/884-4355
Fax:612/885-4755
June 13, 1997 .JUN I
Larry R. Curtis, Mayor
City of Ames- Ames City Hall
515 Clark Avenue PO BOX 811
Ames, IA 50010
Subject: Project Signage- McDonald's/Amoco Alliance
13th Street, Ames, IA
L/C: 14-189
Dear Mayor Curtis:
I am writing to request consideration for adequate signage for the aforementioned project. Several
weeks ago we performed a sign height test at the site located adjacent and west of the entrance to
the Saver-Sundstrand Facility. The test revealed that sign visibility at the allowed height of 50 feet
was ineffective due to the building heights to the south and general terrain to the north.
The project is to relocate the existing Amoco station to the open area that is west of the entrance of
Sauer-Sundstrand. This relocation is prompted by the Sundstrand Company in an attempt to
enhance the aesthetics of the south elevation along 13th Street. In conjunction with this relocation,
McDonald's plans to integrate a restaurant in the Amoco building to better serve potential customers
and to promote additional commercial synergy along this gateway into the City of Ames.
Time is of the essence, primarily due to the nature of the existing Amoco sign, which is in a state of
irreparable physical obsolescence and is becoming a safety hazard. The height of this sign is 75
feet. We would like for the City Council to receive our request at your earliest possible council
meeting.
You.,timely cooperation is appreciated.
Sincere ,
r.
Tim Baylor
Real Estate Representative
Minneapolis Region
cc: Council Members- Ames
John Dasher- McDonald's
Jon Doolittle- Doolittle Oil Co.
Gregory Wuhs- Sauer/Sundstrand Corp.
RE/Baylor/Curtis.doc
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES, IOWA, BY REPEALING SUBSECTION 5.222(2)(a) WHICH LIMITS
THE HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGNS AND READOPTING THE SAME
REVISED TO PERMIT SIGNS OF GREATER HEIGHT IN THE VICINITY OF
THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY; REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES
OR PART OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT;PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND,
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa is amended by repealing subsection 5.222(2)(a)
and readopting the same to state:
"It shall be unlawful to erect or permit any ground sign of a height greater than fifty(50)feet;
except,at points within 1,500 feet of the edge of any part of the right-of-way for Interstate Highway
35 a ground sign may have a height not to exceed 100 feet measured from the base of the sign support
to the top of the sign."
Section Two. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such
conflict, if any.
Section Three. Violation of this ordinance shall be a municipal infraction punishable as provided in Section 1.9,
Ames Municipal Code.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this day of 1997.
Sandra L. Ryan, City Clerk Larry R.Curtis,Mayor
0458