AGENDA

MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING – CITY HALL COUNCIL
CHAMBERS
JANUARY 21, 2016
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7:00 P.M.
2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
a) January 7, 2016
3. PUBLIC INPUT SESSION
4. NEW BUSINESS
a) Sign Permit 141-15, Commercial Highway Bulletin
Applicant:
Owner:
Location:
Staff Contact:
Airdrie Chamber of Commerce
City of Airdrie
East side of Highway 2, west of Springhaven Court SE
Will Czaban
5. COUNCIL SYNOPSIS
No new synopsis since last MPC meeting January 7, 2016
6. NEXT MEETING ----------------------------------------------------------------- February 3, 2016
ADJOURNMENT
MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date (M/D/Y):
01/21/2016
Subject:
Sign Permit 141-15
Airdrie Chamber of Commerce Highway Bulletin
East side of Highway 2, west of Springhaven Court SE
Description:
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce has applied for a Development Permit to renew the
approval for their existing Highway Bulletin Sign located on the east side of Highway 2 and
immediately west of Springhaven Court SE.
Context Map:
Other nearby Highway Bulletin Sign
Original approval: 1992
Distance from subject sign: 268m
Subject Property/Location
Sign Permit #141-15
Highway Bulletin Sign
Original approval: 2005
Planning Considerations and Rationale:
The Land Use Bylaw sets a standard time limit for any approved Highway Bulletin Signs,
which expires three years from the date of issuance. Highway Bulletins are only approved
on a temporary basis so that the application can be regularly re-evaluated, due to the scale
of the development and the potential for the cumulative impact that multiple such signs can
have on the City's high-traffic corridors. The Chamber of Commerce's Highway Bulletin Sign
has been in place at this location since its initial approval on January 20, 2005. This
application is the third consecutive renewal for this sign.
Application #
SP 85-04
SP 130-07
SP 140-12
Description
Initial Sign Approval AND
Variance to separation distance
for Highway Bulletin Signs
First Renewal
Second Renewal
Approval Date
January 20, 2005
December 7, 2007
November 15, 2012
When this sign was first approved and erected in 2005, a variance to City of Airdrie
requirements for a minimum separation distance of 800 metres between Highway Bulletin
Signs was granted.
This variance allowed the sign to be placed in the proposed location and 268 metres from
the next closest Highway Bulletin Sign, further north and also on the east side of Highway 2.
There have been no concerns with the separation distances between the two signs at these
locations and the variance has been upheld at each subsequent renewal.
There have been no other concerns or documented impacts on the surrounding properties
or the traveling public on the Highway 2 corridor. With the documented variance of 66.5% to
the required separation distance between Highway Bulletin Signs, the proposed sign
otherwise meets all applicable requirements of Land Use Bylaw B-09/2005.
Recommendation:
Administration supports the application and recommends that the Municipal Planning
Commission approves Sign Permit 141-15 with the staff recommended conditions and
notifications listed in the attached Schedule C.
William Czaban
Planner
Author:
Departmental Review:
Report Date:
Attachments:
William Czaban
Wilf Richter
December 22, 2015
Schedule A – Land Use Bylaw Review
Schedule B – Chamber of Commerce Community
and Economic Development proposal
Schedule C –Recommended Permit Conditions
Schedule A – Land Use Bylaw Review
General Rules
for Signs
LUB Required
o
Section 3-4(4)
o
o
o
Signs shall be compatible with the
character of the surrounding
streetscape and the architecture of
nearby buildings.
The size, location, illumination and
materials of all signs shall not detract
from proposed/existing buildings.
Any sign which creates a traffic or a
pedestrian hazard due to its design
or location shall not be permitted.
No signs shall be located, erected, or
attached to municipal property
unless permission is granted in
writing from the City.
Provided
No issues with sign character or
appearance.
No concerns with location,
illumination, or materials.
No anticipated impacts on
pedestrian or vehicular traffic
The application meets all General Rules for Signs. No concerns.
Highway
Bulletin
Dimensions &
Location
Section 3-4(17)
LUB Required
Provided
9 metres
8.7 metres
Sign Height
4.27 metres
3.05 metres
Copy Height
14.63 metres
6.1 metres
Copy Width
800 metres
Separation from
268 metres
Other Highway
Bulletins
A 66.5% variance to LUB Section 3-4(17)(j) was granted with
application SP 85-04 to allow the sign to be located as proposed.
The application otherwise meets all Dimension and Location
Requirements for Highway Bulletins. No concerns.
Highway
Bulletin
Qualitative
Requirements
Section 3-4(17)
LUB Required
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Application must include a proposal
which increases the community and
economic development potential of
local businesses and events.
Highway Bulletins are to be serviced
by underground electrical wiring.
Highway Bulletins shall be
designed, located, and orientated so
they do not adversely affect
neighbouring properties or create a
traffic hazard.
Highway Bulletins shall incorporate
design elements, including but not
limited to the City of Airdrie arch,
logo, and approved colours.
No trees shall be removed or
damaged unless new trees or
landscaping are introduced to
improve the site.
A highway bulletin shall be
designed, constructed and
maintained so that:
i. It is structurally sound and does
not present a safety hazard,
ii. Painting and copy face are not
allowed to weather or peel,
iii. Metal parts do not become
rusted or stained, and
iv. Lighting remains in proper
working order.
Highway bulletins shall be
illuminated to the satisfaction of the
Approving Authority
Provided
See Schedule B
No issues with servicing
No anticipated impacts on
neighbouring properties or traffic
along the Highway 2 corridor
Proposed Sign meets all design
requirements
No changes to existing trees and
landscaping
No issues with sign materials,
construction, and lighting
The application meets all Qualitative Requirements for Highway
Bulletins. No concerns.
Schedule B – Applicant’s
Community and Economic Development proposal
Statement provided by Airdrie Chamber of Commerce:
The Mission Statement of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce is to promote, represent and
enhance the interest of Airdrie’s business community.
This highway bulletin increases the community and economic development potential of the
City’s local businesses by providing an outstanding opportunity for businesses from the
Airdrie community to advertise. Along with bringing customers and consumers to our
renters, it will bring visitors/customers from the QEII Highway into Airdrie.
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce understands and is committed to the Bylaw 955. We
follow this bylaw with our policy for the criteria for the rental and use of the Bulletin surfaces
that will require the Chamber to market and assign first priority to Airdrie business owners
and when possible will allow space to be utilized for Airdrie community groups and events
and/or initiatives.
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce established a Billboards/Highway Bulletin Signs Policy in
2005 to market advertising space to Airdrie business owners.
Priority will be given to the following (in descending order):
o Chamber members that operate in Airdrie and area. This also includes
companies/organizations that have a national product that is sold locally
o Other Chamber members.
o Non-chamber members that operate in Airdrie and area.
o All others
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce is committed to adhere to this Land Use Bylaw and has
secured advertising agreements from 2 Airdrie Land Development/Builders that are vested
in Airdrie:
South facing contract - Hopewell Group of Companies - June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2016
North facing contract – Reid Built Homes – September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2016
Schedule C – Staff-Recommended Permit Conditions
Conditions of Approval
1. This permit shall expire three years from date of issuance, or at such time as the
property owner (City Council) requires the sign to be removed, whichever is earlier.
2. The approved development, including any landscaping and site improvements, shall
be completed as per the approved plans and in accordance with the requirements of
the City of Airdrie’s Land Use Bylaw and Engineering Standards, to the satisfaction of
the City of Airdrie, notwithstanding any variances granted by the Development
Authority.
3. The Highway Bulletin shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the
approved plans.
4. The Highway Bulletin shall be illuminated in accordance with the Land Use Bylaw.
5. The lawful owner of the Highway Bulletin shall be responsible for the maintenance of
that sign to an acceptable standard, to the satisfaction of the Approving Authority.
Legal Notifications

The Municipality shall not be held liable for any injury, loss or damage suffered by
any person or corporate body which is caused by any sign located in the Municipality
whether or not the sign is in accordance with the requirements of this Bylaw.

Compliance is to be maintained with Land Use Bylaw No. 09/2005 (copy available at
City office), this permit and the approved site and design plans.

All other necessary permits and inspections are the responsibility of the applicant.