The purpose of the Laurel Entryway Zoning District is to regulate outdoor advertising, outdoor advertising signs, and outdoor signs of all types, to provide fair and comprehensive regulations that will foster a good visual environment for Laurel, enhancing the area in which we live, and creating an aesthetic and enjoyable appearance for our visitors and our residents.

The natural landscape in the Yellowstone Valley is a major influence on the form and character of Laurel. Residents appreciate being able to see the Beartooth Range, the river's corridor of trees, and the large expanse of sky. The intent of the Community Entryway Zoning District (EZD) is to promote attractive, high quality development and to provide an appealing image of the city of Laurel to the traveling public and the people of the community and region. Further, it is the intent of this district to maintain a sensitivity toward existing development while preserving scenic vistas and the pastoral ambience and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Creativity in meeting these requirements is encouraged with the overall intent of all development representing the image and economy of the Laurel area—and not just a reflection of the same commercial buildings, signage, and parking lots that are seen alongside the interstate across the nation.

Projects in the vicinity of large natural areas/corridors shall be designed to compliment the visual context of the natural area. Techniques include architectural design, site design, use of native landscaping, and choices of colors and building materials shall be utilized in such manner that scenic views across or through the site are protected and man-made facilities are screened from off-site observers and blend with the natural visual character of the area.

This overlay district provides requirements that are in addition to the existing, underlying zoning districts in the jurisdictional area of the city of Laurel and are in addition to the signage standards of the city of Laurel Municipal Sign Code. Except for signage applications, residential uses in the Entryway Zoning District are exempt from the provisions herein.

The intent of this section is to:

A.

Promote a physical landscape that will assist in making Laurel an attractive place to live and work and be inviting to new industries;

B.

Encourage creativity in design and quality in site planning and development;

C.

Reduce the level of adverse impacts from the transportation system on adjoining lands;

D.

Promote development patterns in harmony with the goals and objectives of Laurel's Growth Management Plan;

H.

Promote compatible land use transitions with a sensitivity toward existing residential uses.

Non-commercial/industrial uses falling within the EZD are exempt from the requirements of the EZD except as such requirements pertain to signage.

(Ord. 02-31, 2002)

The Community Entryway Zoning District (EZD) shall extend three hundred feet on either side of Interstate 90 right-of way as it extends through the Laurel Zoning Jurisdiction Area, an area that extends outside the city municipal limits one mile. Specifically, along the interstate the EZD shall extend as described from the east limit of the extra-territorial zoning boundary west to the limit of the west extra-territorial boundary. The district shall also include that area three hundred feet on either side of the north extra-territorial boundary on Buffalo Trail Road south through Laurel on First Avenue to where First Avenue turns into US Highway 212-310

(Ord. 02-31, 2002)

(Ord. No. O15-03, 5-5-2015)

A.

All plans and applications for development shall be submitted to the city-county planning board. All applications involving signs shall be submitted to the public works department which shall provide a copy thereof to the planning board. All applications must be submitted and signed by the property owner, lessee, the contract purchaser, or the authorized agent of the property owner. Approval is required prior to any construction activity.

B.

Each application shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

1.

The name and address of the property owner;

2.

The name and address of the applicant;

3.

The legal description of the parcel;

4.

A map drawn to scale showing the dimensions, acreage, location of the parcel, north arrow, streets and adjacent land uses;

5.

A complete site plan drawn to a scale of no less than 1″ = 40' showing the dimensions and locations of all structures, streets, paving, parking, landscaping, signage, waterways or other significant features of the development;

6.

Complete elevation drawings drawn to scale including the dimensions and height of the structure;

7.

Signage Plan specifications, location, and ground lighting pattern (applications for signs only—see Section 17.26.050); and

8.

Application review fee.

C.

Within fifteen working days following the submittal of a complete application, the planning director, other city designee, or the public works department (in the case of signs) shall issue approval for development or sign or a denial of the application, unless the applicant consents in writing to an extension of the review period. Should the application be denied, the applicant shall be notified in writing specifying the reasons for the denial.

(Ord. 02-31, 2002)

All terms shall have the same meanings as defined elsewhere in the city zoning ordinance or city signage regulations. The standard dictionary meaning shall be applied to terms not otherwise defined.

(Ord. 02-31, 2002)

A.

Signage.

1.

Review Consideration. Signage in the EZD needs to recognize the relationship between adjacent land uses and the natural features of the location such as existing views and proximity to residences. Although signs perform a function in providing information concerning services, products, and business, a profusion of signs produces a cumulative effect that cancels out individual effectiveness and detracts from the appearance of the community as a whole. All signage shall be reviewed with the following considerations and criteria:

a.

Use of subdued, low-key colors;

b.

Location, size, and height that do not obstruct views of the community, the river corridor, traditional open spaces, or the mountains;

c.

Sign is built of permanent, durable materials;

d.

Size and location avoids or minimizes the sense of clutter with nearby signs;

e.

The sign is professionally prepared and finished on both sides;

f.

The location and placement of the sign will not endanger motorists or pedestrians and does not interfere with the clear vision triangle at street, railroad, or street driveway intersections;

g.

The sign will not cover or blanket any prominent view of a structure or façade of historical or architectural significance;

h.

The sign will not obstruct views of users of adjacent buildings to side yards, yards or to nearby open space;

i.

The sign will not negatively impact the visual quality of a public open space such as a recreation facilities, square, plaza, court yard and the like;

j.

The sign cannot be seen from the Yellowstone River or any city, county or state park or—if it can be seen—it must be located one thousand feet from the boundaries of such spaces.

2.

Only one sign is allowed per parcel of record and there shall be at least one thousand feet between signs.

3.

A construction permit is required whenever the sign copy is changed and any alterations to the sign are made.

4.

Signs shall be limited to one hundred sixty square feet in copy area.

5.

Non-conforming signs are required to be brought into compliance with this section within six years from the date of adoption of this ordinance or upon the earliest occurrence of the following events.

a.

The sign is relocated or replaced;

b.

The structure or size of the sign is altered in any way;

c.

The sign suffers more than fifty percent appraised damage or deterioration or the sign is taken out of service for any reason, such as being knocked down by weather or other means;

d.

If any non-conforming sign is abandoned or voluntarily discontinued for a period of one hundred eighty days, any subsequent use must be in conformity with this ordinance. An abandoned sign is a sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity, and/or for which no legal owner can be found. An abandoned sign is to be removed by the owner within fifteen days of notice from the public works department.

6.

No portable signs as described in the city signage ordinance are allowed in the EZD.

7.

Transit Bus Benches. Transit bus benches, with or without advertising, may be placed within the city right-of-way upon application and approval of the ADA coordinator, the transit administrator and in consultation with the public work director. All benches must comply with any applicable city, state, and or/federal standards or regulations. The city may approve a bench provider, with or without advertising, pursuant to its procurement policy, as amended.

8.

Lighting. All sign lighting must incorporate cut-off shields to direct light downward. Luminaries shall not be visible from adjacent streets or properties. A sign's lighting will not cause hazardous or unsafe driving conditions for motorists and will not glare, reflect, or spill onto adjacent business or residential areas.

B.

Building Design Standards.

1.

All buildings shall be completed on all sides with one of the following finishing material: brick, fluted block, colored textured block, glass, stucco, architectural concealed fastener metal panels, exterior insulation and finishing systems (i.e., Dryvit, etc.), stone or wood. Exposed seam metal buildings shall be prohibited unless covered with an acceptable finishing material.

2.

Roofs shall be finished with a material that is architecturally compatible in color and design with the construction of the building. Metal roofs, fascia, and mansards shall be limited to the following: standing seam, metal shakes or shingles and architectural metal treatments. All mechanical equipment placed on top of any roof shall be screened by a parapet or other similar architectural apparatus being at least the height of the mechanical equipment. Pitched roofs are encouraged whenever possible.

3.

Long, flat facades that front on the interstate highway, First Avenue North or First Avenue South having more than one hundred lineal feet are prohibited. Buildings over one hundred feet in length shall incorporate one of the following: recesses, off-sets, angular forms, landscaping features or other architectural features such as bell towers, clock towers, to provide a visually interesting shape. The break in the facade shall be minimum of eight feet in length. A single uninterrupted length of a facade shall not exceed one hundred lineal feet. It is encouraged that each offset area contains landscaping or other similar amenities which will complement the offset area.

C.

Additional Provisions for Commercial Uses.

1.

Storage of Merchandise. Any permitted storage of merchandise outside an approved building shall be within an area enclosed with a sight obscuring fence at least six feet in height that is architecturally compatible in color and design with the building. However, promotional displays, vehicle sales lots and plant materials may be displayed outside of an approved building or enclosed area so long as they are placed appurtenant to a building wherein the business displays the bulk of its goods for sale. In addition, retail nurseries shall be exempt from the enclosure of plant materials, and displayed merchandise shall not include any used equipment. Bufferyards or required landscaping shall not be used for the displaying of merchandise.

2.

Site Lighting. All outdoor lighting shall be designed, located and mounted at heights no greater than eighteen feet above grade for non-cutoff lights and thirty-five feet above grade for cutoff lights. All outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that the maximum illumination measured in foot-candles at the property line shall not exceed three-tenths foot-candle for non-cutoff lights and three foot-candles for cutoff lights.

3.

Storage of Junk. No person shall store junk, partially or completely dismantled vehicles, or salvaged materials in any commercial zone outside a building. In the case of automobile repair shops, such materials must be enclosed within a building or an area having a sight-obscuring fence at least six feet in height.

4.

Solid Waste Area. All solid waste storage facilities shall be located within an area enclosed with a sight-obscuring fence or wall that is architecturally compatible in color and design with the building.

D.

Cell Towers.

No wireless communication facilities are allowed in the entryway zone.

(Ord. 02-31, 2002)

(Ord. No. O11-07, 6-7-2011; Ord. No. O16-02, 2-2-2016)

Landscaping in the form of trees, shrubs, and groundcover serve several purposes: The softening of harsh building forms and paved areas, the absorption of ground water, the reflection of seasonal color change, the provision of sound barriers (such as around utility substations or industrial yards), and urban wildlife habitat.

A.

Landscaping Definitions.

Canopy Tree. A species of tree which normally bears crown foliage no lower than six feet above ground level upon maturity. Minimum size of canopy trees shall be two and one half inches in caliper.

Evergreen Tree or Shrub. A tree or shrub of a species which normally retains leaves / needles throughout the year. Minimum size of evergreen trees shall be five feet in height.

B.

Landscaping.

1.

Bufferyard Requirements. All commercial/Industrial land uses are required to place a bufferyard (landscaping strip) adjacent to and along the length of I-90, First Avenue North, or First Avenue South on which the use fronts. Such landscaping buffer shall extend from the edge of the public right-of-way. Placement and landscaping design shall be at the discretion of the developer, and the required trees and shrubs may be clustered to enhance the view of the property from the public right-of-way as long as such uses conform with Section 17.26.052(C) of this code. A local design professional or local nursery must be consulted for assistance with the development of the landscape design. The use of native, drought-tolerant plant material is strongly encouraged. Evergreen trees are encouraged for bufferyards, and canopy trees are encouraged for parking areas. The planting of trees should be done in such a manner as to provide maximum solar efficiency throughout the site.

a.

The developer shall have the option of one of the following three bufferyards. Bufferyard depth is measured from the property line adjacent to the public right-of-way inward. Any buffer area which overlaps another buffer area shall be subtracted from the total to avoid double counting. The number of trees and shrubs required is per one hundred feet of frontage:

(1)

Twenty-five foot wide bufferyard: five Canopy or evergreen trees, ten Shrubs

(2)

Twenty foot wide bufferyard: ten Canopy or evergreen trees, fifteen Shrubs

(3)

Fifteen foot wide bufferyard: fifteen Canopy or evergreen trees, twenty Shrubs

b.

The following criteria shall also apply to the bufferyards.

i.

The landscape strip may be contoured. Berming shall be one foot of rise to four feet of run with a minimum of three feet in height. Depressions shall be no lower than the existing grade of the site.

ii.

All landscaped areas shall contain ground cover such as sod, shrubs, flowerbeds, or organic materials. No more than ten percent of the landscaped area shall contain rock, bark chips, stepping stones, or similar material.

iii.

All landscaped areas shall be sub-irrigated, maintained, and kept free of weeds, debris, and litter. Failure to do so constitutes a zoning violation. Existing mature trees and shrubs should be preserved and will be credited toward landscaping requirements.

iv.

Depth of bufferyard shall depend on density of vegetation.

v.

All new utility lines shall be placed underground.

vi.

New tree plantings shall not be constructed so as to grow into existing overhead utility lines.

C.

Off-Street Parking Lot Landscaping.

Landscaping shall be provided within all parking areas as follows:

Parking lots containing more than ten spaces shall contain internal areas of landscaping totaling at least ten percent of the parking area. Each planting area shall contain at least three hundred square feet and at least one major tree and groundcover with irrigation. There must be a clearly designated pedestrian route from the parking lot to the street or main entrance.

1.

A minimum of twenty square feet of landscaped area shall be provided for each parking space on parking lots containing more than ten spaces.

2.

Two canopy and/or evergreen trees and five shrubs shall be required for every ten parking spaces or component thereof over ten parking spaces.

3.

All landscaped areas shall contain ground cover such as sod, shrubs, flowerbeds or organic materials. No more than twenty-five percent of the landscaped area shall contain rock, bark chips, stepping stones or similar material.

4.

The minimum width and/or length of any parking lot landscaped area shall be five feet.

5.

Internal parking lot landscaping provided shall be proportionately dispersed, at the developer's discretion, in order to define aisles and limit unbroken rows of parking. The maximum horizontal or vertical unbroken length shall be limited to one hundred feet. Landscaped areas provided shall be in a scale proportionate to parking lot.

6.

Any development that has parking abutting a required bufferyard, may extend the width of parking landscaping plant material. The minimum bufferyard width and that bufferyard a minimum of five feet and include the additional required landscaping material is required in addition to the parking landscaping.

7.

Protection of Landscaped Areas. Landscaped areas within parking lots or the along perimeter of the property must be protected from vehicular traffic through the use of continuous concrete curbs, extruded asphalt or other approved permanent barriers.

8.

All new utility lines shall be placed underground.

D.

Commercial Uses Abutting Residential Uses.

All commercial uses abutting residential uses shall install a bufferyard. The bufferyard shall be ten feet wide and shall contain ten evergreen and/or canopy trees and ten shrubs per one hundred lineal feet. A solid fence or wall that is architecturally compatible in color and design with the building shall be required on the property line. The fence height shall be a minimum of six feet. Chain link or other wire fencing material is prohibited.

E.

Fractions in the Calculation of Number of Trees and Shrubs.

In the calculation of trees and shrubs for bufferyards or parking landscaping, all fractions shall be rounded to the nearest, highest whole number.

(Ord. 02-31, 2002)