HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-109 (Obstructions in the Sidewalk Rights of Way in the Central Business District in Downtown)City of Stillwater
Washington County, Minnesota
RESOLUTION 2022-109
A RESOLUTION REGULATING OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE SIDEWALK RIGHTS OF WAY
IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN STILLWATER
WHEREAS, Stillwater is a popular tourist destination which results in a significant
amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and
WHEREAS, congestion in the downtown area, especially along the narrow sidewalks
of the Central Business District, makes the navigation of streets and sidewalks a threat to the
public health, safety and general welfare; and
WHEREAS, merchants have been placing signs, benches, merchandise, outside
tables and chairs and other obstructions in the rights of way on the sidewalk in front of their
businesses that cause impediments to the free -flow of pedestrian traffic and create dangerous
conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that establishing clear regulations surrounding
the placement of private obstructions in the sidewalk rights of way in the Central Business
District will provide a safer, more enjoyable experience for all members of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Stillwater does
hereby adopt the following policy and regulations for allowing private obstructions in the public
sidewalk rights of way in the Central Business District:
A. Signs: General Rule: Temporary sandwich board signs are permitted in the
sidewalk rights of way subject to the following regulations:
1. Dimensions: Signs must be of A -frame design or single -panel, must be
portable and stable. They can be no more than 30" wide, 36" tall and
24" deep and have no more than two sign faces.
2. Design: Signs must be consistent with the Heritage Preservation
Commission -approved color scheme for building front and signage, they
cannot have protruding sections that cause a hazard to pedestrians,
cannot mimic traffic control signs or have reflective material, may not be
illuminated, animated or having moving parts.
No interchangeable copy signs, or interchangeable letters are
permitted.
3. Maintenance: Signs must be weatherproof, must be well -maintained
with no peeling, broken, cracked or faded paint/vinyl/lettering.
4. Number of Signs: Each store -front business is allowed to display one
(1) sign directly in front of its business. Multi -tenant buildings are
allowed one (1) sign per 20 feet of building frontage. Multi -tenant
buildings with frontage on more than one (1) street are allowed signs on
each street, consistent with these regulations.
5. Hours: Signs are allowed during business hours only and must be
removed daily.
6. Placement: Signs must be setback at least one (1) foot from the back of
curb. However, signs at an intersection must be setback at least 15 feet
from back of curb. Five (5) feet of unobstructed clearance must be
maintained between the building and street for pedestrian circulation.
7. Prohibitions:
(1) No sign is allowed on City property, including parking Tots, streets
or alleys, unless it is pursuant to a permit or agreement approve
by the City.
(2) Signs shall not be displayed after a snow event of two (2) inches
or greater until all snow removal operations are completed.
B. Merchandise: Due to the narrowness of the public sidewalks, all private
commercial use for display of merchandise is prohibited in the sidewalk rights of
way.
C. Benches: Benches are permitted in the sidewalk rights of way as long as they are
placed next to the building and are available for use by the general public.
D. Outdoor Seating: Outdoor Seating is permitted in the sidewalk rights of way
pursuant to an approved Interim Use Permit and a License or Encroachment
Agreement. If liquor will be served, the liquor license must be amended to include
the outdoor seating area, which must be compact and contiguous to the licensed
premises.
E. Liability: Business owners assume all liability of obstructions placed in the right of
way.
F. Maintain Access: Obstructions must not interfere with access to any business,
the passage of pedestrians or the opening of the doors of parked vehicles.
G. Fire Code: All obstructions must conform to the Fire Code.
H. Violations: The City may enforce this Resolution by removal of the obstructions,
revocation or termination of any permit or agreement and repeat violations may
subject the owner to administrative citations.
Adopted by the Stillwater City Council this 6th day of September, 2022.
ATTEST:
Beth Wolf, City Clerk
CITY OF S L WATER ,
Ted Kozlowski, Mayor
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