Page 3 CITY PLANNING COMMISSION COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND REVIEW CRITERIA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The City Planning Commission uses the Comprehensive Plan as a guide in all land use matters. The Plan is available for review in the Land Use Review Office, Room 301 of the City Administration Building (30 S. Nevada). The following lists the elements of the Comprehensive Plan: Introduction and Background Land Use Neighborhood Transportation Natural Environment Community Character and Appearance 2020 Land Use Map Implementation The Comprehensive Plan contains a land use map known as the 2020 Land Use Map. This map represents a framework for future city growth through the year 2020, and is intended to be used with the Comprehensive Plan s goals, policies, objectives and strategies. It illustrates a desired pattern of growth in conformance with Comprehensive Plan policies, and should be used as a guide in city land use decisions. The Comprehensive Plan, including the Land Use Map, may be amended from time to time as an update to city policies. APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA: Each application that comes before the Planning Commission is reviewed using the applicable criteria located in the Appendix of the Planning Commission Agenda
Page 73 APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA 7.4.406(I): SPECIFIC SIGN CATEGORIES AND STANDARDS I. Off Premises Advertising (Billboards): All new billboards shall conform with the following: 1. Purposes And Intent: The purpose of this part is to limit the impact of billboards on the community; to improve the appearance of the Interstate 25, Highway 24, Highway 24 bypass and Municipal Airport entryway corridors; to enhance the urban design of the greater downtown area; to ensure compatibility between billboards and adjacent land uses; and to limit the impact that billboards have on sign clutter in the community. The City recognizes that billboards are a necessary and appropriate advertising medium, and that there are acceptable and viable locations for billboards within the community. It is the intent of this part to address the following specific concerns regarding the impact of billboards upon the community: a. The citizens of Colorado Springs, and others visiting or traveling through the City are very concerned about the urban design and visual integrity of the City. b. Billboards are often incongruous with the City's natural setting and features due to their large scale figures, numbers, letters and colors. c. A billboard can dominate the view from vehicles and interfere with the occupants' enjoyment of the City's natural setting and features. d. A high concentration of billboards may create traffic safety problems and distract attention away from public safety signs. e. Billboards of excessive size or height should be downsized within a reasonable time period. f. Billboards are incompatible with residential uses. g. The Interstate 25, Highway 24, Highway 24 bypass and Municipal Airport entryway corridors are major entryways to the City which are of particular importance in terms of urban design and public perception to citizens, visitors and tourists. h. The downtown planning area is an area in which urban design significantly influences the health and vitality of the total community. 2. Area, Height And Face Standards: All billboards shall be constructed in accord with the Uniform Sign Code as set forth in this part and shall conform to the following standards: a. Sign Area: New billboard faces and supporting framework shall not exceed the following sign areas: (1) New billboards shall be a maximum of two hundred forty five (245) square feet.
Page 74 (2) Replacement billboards, existing billboards four hundred (400) square feet or larger in face area may be replaced at a size up to four hundred (400) square feet; billboards with face areas between three hundred ninety nine (399) and two hundred forty five (245) square feet shall be replaced at a size up to two hundred forty five (245) square feet. Existing billboards of less than two hundred forty five (245) square feet shall be restricted to their current size in the event they are relocated. b. Height: Billboards shall not exceed the maximum height permitted for freestanding signs in the zone district in which they are located. c. Faces: There shall be no more than two (2) billboard faces per supporting structure. 3. Location Standards: All billboards shall be located in accord with the following standards: a. Zones: Billboards shall be allowed as conditional uses in the following zones: C-6, M-1, M-2 and PIP-2. b. Conditional Uses: All new billboards shall be required to obtain a conditional use approval in accord with article 5, part 7 of this chapter. c. Location Standards: (1) Billboards shall be set back the same distance required for freestanding signs in the zone district in which they are located. (2) No billboard shall be placed on the roof of any building or structure. (3) No billboard shall cantilever over any building or structure. d. Spacing Standards: (1) No billboards shall be spaced less than one thousand feet (1,000') from the nearest billboard, except billboards in M-2 zones shall be spaced no less than four hundred feet (400') from the nearest billboard. In determining the physical spacing of billboards, the City will consider existing billboards and approved conditional use billboard locations.
Page 75 (2) Distances between billboards shall be measured horizontally along the center line of the street or highway to which the sign is directed as set forth in following picture: (3) Only one billboard shall be placed within a radius of two hundred fifty feet (250') from the center point of any street or highway intersection as set forth in following picture: (4) No billboard shall be placed within five hundred feet (500') of any residential zone as set forth in following picture:
Page 76 e. Railroad Rights Of Way: (1) New billboards shall not be allowed to be placed within any railroad rights of way. (2) Existing billboards within a railroad right of way shall be grandfathered and allowed to remain in their current locations with the exception of the billboard located south of and adjacent to Woodman Road which may remain until March 13, 2000, at which time it shall be removed. 4. Maintenance and Discontinuance: a. Maintenance: All sign supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair. Faces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times. The City shall notify the sign owner or its agent, of any sign which is not in proper state of repair. If corrective action is not taken within thirty (30) days, the City official may order the removal of the sign. b. Discontinuance: The City may order the removal of any billboard, without compensation, upon which the advertising or other message has been discontinued for more than sixty (60) continuous days. Said billboard shall be removed by the owner within thirty (30) days of notification by the City. 5. Billboard Credit: Permits to erect new billboards shall only be issued to those persons possessing a "Billboard Credit". a. Billboard Credit: Billboard credits shall be issued by the City to those billboard owners who have removed a previously existing, lawfully erected billboard after the effective date hereof. It will be the responsibility of the permit applicant to show the ownership, location and date of removal of the billboard. b. Credit Basis: Billboard credits shall be issued on a per face and per structure basis. One credit shall be issued for each billboard face removed and one credit for each structure removed. If a billboard is not located upon a separate supporting structure, the building or other structure to which the billboard is attached shall constitute a single structure for the purpose of receiving one credit. (1) No credit shall be granted for the partial removal of faces. (2) No credit shall be granted for the removal of billboard faces which are less than eighty four (84) square feet. c. Credit Utilization: A billboard credit may only be used in a location which meets all standards of this Zoning Code. d. Transfer Of Credits: Credits may be transferred between parties through legal means. e. Size: Credits will allow billboards to be reconstructed in the following sizes: (1) A credit for a new four hundred (400) square foot billboard will be issued for billboards which are removed that are in excess of three hundred ninety nine (399) square feet. (2) A credit for a new two hundred forty five (245) square foot billboard will be issued for billboards which are removed that are between two hundred forty five (245) and three hundred ninety nine (399) square feet. (3) A credit will be issued for a new billboard of equal size for billboards which are removed that are less than two hundred forty five (245) square feet.
Page 77 6. Removal From Downtown Core: All existing billboards shall be removed from the downtown core within sixty (60) days of the passage of this part. No compensation will be paid by the City to the billboard owners for the removal of these billboards under mutual consent; however, credit under subsection I5e of this section shall be issued allowing each billboard removed to be relocated to a new location which meets all standards of this Code. No new billboards shall be allowed within the downtown core. See following map: 7. Downsizing: a. Restricted Corridors: All existing billboards which are directed toward and visible from and within six hundred sixty feet (660') of Interstate 25, Highway 24, Highway 24 bypass and airport entryway (Powers Boulevard between Fountain Boulevard and Drennan Road, Airport Entrance Road between Powers Boulevard and the airport terminal) corridors shall be downsized as follows:
Page 78 (1) Billboards larger than four hundred (400) square feet in face area to four hundred (400) square feet by December 31, 1996. (2) Billboards containing between two hundred forty five (245) and three hundred ninety nine (399) square feet in face area to two hundred forty five (245) square feet by December 31, 1996. b. Downtown Planning Area: All existing billboards with the downtown planning area as illustrated in the following map shall be downsized as follows:
Page 79 (1) Billboards larger than four hundred (400) square feet in face area to four hundred (400) square feet by December 31, 1996. (2) Billboards containing between two hundred forty five (245) and three hundred ninety nine (399) square feet in face area to two hundred forty five (245) square feet by December 31, 1996. c. Nonrestricted Areas: All existing billboards, in areas other than the restricted corridors or downtown planning area, shall be downsized as follows:
Page 80 (1) Billboards larger than four hundred (400) square feet in face area to four hundred (400) square feet by December 31, 1996. (2) Billboards containing between two hundred forty five (245) and three hundred ninety nine (399) square feet in face area to two hundred forty five (245) square feet by December 31, 1996. (3) Billboards less than two hundred forty five (245) square feet are not required to be downsized. 8. Cap On Number Of Billboards: a. Restricted Corridors And Downtown Planning Area: There shall be a cap on the number of billboards within the restricted corridors or Interstate 25, Highway 24, Highway 24 bypass, Powers Boulevard (between Fountain Boulevard and Drennan Road) and the airport entrance road (between Powers Boulevard and the airport terminal) as well as within the downtown planning area (map shown above). No new billboards shall be allowed within these areas except with the removal of an existing billboard from the same corridor/area. Permits for new billboards within the restricted corridors or downtown planning area will only be issued to those persons possessing a "billboard credit" indicating they have removed a billboard from the same corridor or downtown planning area. All new billboards within restricted corridors or the downtown planning area shall comply with the design standards as set forth in this subsection I. b. Citywide Cap: There shall be a limit of two hundred eight (208) total billboard locations within the corporate limits. 9. Exemptions: This section shall not pertain to the following types of off premises signs: a. State approved signs within Colorado State highway rights of way. b. Signs approved by the revocable permit process as set forth in chapter 3, article 2, part 2 of this Code. c. Off premises temporary signs which comply with the provisions of this subsection I. 10. General Provisions: All billboards are subject to the applicable provisions for signs as set forth in this section, except subsection 7.4.405T of this part shall not apply. All billboards are subject to the provisions set forth in article 5, part 12 of this chapter except where any provision of this part imposes a more specific requirement than imposed by article 5, part 12 of this chapter, then such specific requirement shall govern.
Page 81 CONCEPT PLAN 7.5.501 (D): REVIEW CRITERIA: A concept plan shall be reviewed using the criteria listed below. No concept plan shall be approved unless the plan complies with all the requirements of the zone district in which it is located, is consistent with the intent and purpose of this Zoning Code and is compatible with the existing and proposed land uses surrounding the site. 1. Will the proposed development have a detrimental effect upon the general health, welfare and safety or convenience of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the proposed development? 2. Will the proposed density, types of land uses and range of square footages permit adequate light and air both on and off the site? 3. Are the permitted uses, bulk requirements and required landscaping appropriate to the type of development, the neighborhood and the community? 4. Are the proposed ingress/egress points, traffic circulation, parking areas, loading and service areas and pedestrian areas designed to promote safety, convenience and ease of traffic flow and pedestrian movement both on and off the site? 5. Will the proposed development overburden the capacities of existing streets, utilities, parks, schools and other public facilities? 6. Does the proposed development promote the stabilization and preservation of the existing properties in adjacent areas and surrounding residential neighborhoods? 7. Does the concept plan show how any potentially detrimental use to use relationships (e.g., commercial use adjacent to single-family homes) will be mitigated? Does the development provide a gradual transition between uses of differing intensities? 8. Is the proposed concept plan in conformance with all requirements of this Zoning Code, the Subdivision Code and with all applicable elements of the Comprehensive Plan? (Ord. 94-107; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 03-157)
Page 82 7.5.502 (E): DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW CRITERIA: A development plan shall be reviewed using the criteria listed below. No development plan shall be approved unless the plan complies with all the requirements of the zone district in which it is located, is consistent with the intent and purpose of this Zoning Code and is compatible with the land uses surrounding the site. Alternate and/or additional development plan criteria may be included as part of an FBZ regulating plan. 1. Will the project design be harmonious with the surrounding land uses and neighborhood? 2. Will the proposed land uses be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood? Will the proposed development overburden the capacities of existing streets, utilities, parks, schools and other public facilities? 3. Will the structures be located to minimize the impact of their use and bulk on adjacent properties? 4. Will landscaping, berms, fences and/or walls be provided to buffer the site from undesirable views, noise, lighting or other off site negative influences and to buffer adjacent properties from negative influences that may be created by the proposed development? 5. Will vehicular access from the project to streets outside the project be combined, limited, located, designed and controlled to channel traffic to and from such areas conveniently and safely and in such a manner which minimizes traffic friction, noise and pollution and promotes free traffic flow without excessive interruption? 6. Will all the streets and drives provide logical, safe and convenient vehicular access to the facilities within the project? 7. Will streets and drives within the project area be connected to streets outside the project area in such a way that discourages their use by through traffic? 8. Will adequately sized parking areas be located throughout the project to provide safe and convenient access to specific facilities? 9. Will safe and convenient provision for the access and movement of handicapped persons and parking of vehicles for the handicapped be accommodated in the project design? 10. Will the design of streets, drives and parking areas within the project result in a minimum of area devoted to asphalt? 11. Will pedestrian walkways be functionally separated from vehicular traffic and landscaped to accomplish this? Will pedestrian walkways be designed and located in combination with other easements that are not used by motor vehicles? 12. Does the design encourage the preservation of significant natural features such as healthy vegetation, drainage channels, steep slopes and rock outcroppings? Are these significant natural features incorporated into the project design?
Page 83 7.5.603 (B): ESTABLISHMENT OR CHANGE OF ZONE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES: B: A proposal for the establishment or change of zone district boundaries may be approved by the City Council only if the following findings are made: 1. The action will not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or general welfare. 2. The proposal is consistent with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. 3. Where a master plan exists, the proposal is consistent with such plan or an approved amendment to such plan. Master plans that have been classified as implemented do not have to be amended in order to be considered consistent with a zone change request. 4. For MU zone districts the proposal is consistent with any locational criteria for the establishment of the zone district, as stated in article 3, "Land Use Zoning Districts", of this Zoning Code. (Ord. 94-107; Ord. 97-111; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 03-157)
Page 84 CONDITIONAL USE REVIEW CRITERIA: 7.5.704: AUTHORIZATION AND FINDINGS: The Planning Commission may approve and/or modify a conditional use application in whole or in part, with or without conditions, only if all three (3) of the following findings are made: A. Surrounding Neighborhood: That the value and qualities of the neighborhood surrounding the conditional use are not substantially injured. B. Intent Of Zoning Code: That the conditional use is consistent with the intent and purpose of this Zoning Code to promote public health, safety and general welfare. C. Comprehensive Plan: That the conditional use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan of the City. The approved conditional use and development plan shall be binding on the property until an amendment is approved. Except as otherwise recommended by the Planning Commission, the development of a conditional use shall conform to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is to be located. (Ord. 80-131; Ord. 82-247; Ord. 91-30; Ord. 94-107; Ord. 01-42)