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<br />~c.. Wl,it\u't'e S <br /> <br />~~ ('T. V <br /> <br />Case #5: Public Hearing - Consider Proposed Amendments to 9.12 Signs of Chapter <br />Nine of City Code; Case of City of Ramsey <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt closed the regular portion of the Planning Commission meeting at 7:48 p.m. in <br />order to call the public hearing to order. <br /> <br />Public Hearing <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt called the public hearing to order at 7:48 p.m. <br /> <br />Presentation <br /> <br />Associate Planner Breanne DaInes reviewed that on November 1, 2006, Staff attended a legal <br />seminar, sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities, about recent lawsuits and legal <br />interpretations regarding cities' sign ordinances. The primary discussion was the recent case law <br />associated with content-based regulation, which is regulating any aspect of a sign (location, size, <br />etc) based on what the sign reads. Also, there was discussion about the legality of regulating <br />digital billboards. On February 1, 2007, the Planning Commission recommended that the City <br />Council direct Staff to bring forward a revised sign ordinance. On May 1, 2007, the City Council <br />met at worksession, and directed staff to make the necessary changes. <br /> <br />The Planning Commission met on August 2, 2007 to discuss the sign ordinance. There was <br />some concern stated at the meeting that more time should be spent reviewing the proposed <br />ordinance. There was also concern that off-premise signs should be allowed. There are pros and <br />cons to changing this regulation. Some of the advantages of allowing off-premise signs include: <br />having the flexibility to erect garage sale, real estate, public events, and other temporary signs (on <br />private property other than the property on which the sale is located); easier to administer (fewer <br />sign code violations will result, less to enforce); and more permissive. The disadvantages <br />include: less control over any type of off-premise sign (lawn care, work from home, etc signs <br />would be permitted) and there may be an over-abundance of signs at certain busy corners. <br /> <br />If the Planning Commission would like to recommend that the City Council allow temporary, <br />off-premise signs, Staff recommends that these signs obtain permits, in accordance with the <br />temporary sign regulations. That would allow Staff to limit the number of signs on each property <br />and avoid the disadvantages of allowing off-premise signs. Staff would also like to point out that <br />sign regulations are not enforced on weekends. Most cities do not allow off-premise signs, but <br />do not enforce these on the weekends when real estate signs and garage sale signs are most likely <br />to be placed on property. <br /> <br />Citizen Input <br /> <br />Mr. Jeff Wise, 790116Sth Avenue, stated his only concern is it sounds like one more fee will be <br />attached to citizens for signs such as garage sales. He thought the City needed to start looking <br />out for citizens and instead of going after their pocketbooks. <br /> <br />Commissioner VanScoy asked if garage sale signs would require a fee. <br /> <br />Planning Commission/September 6, 2007 <br />Page 1 of 4 <br /> <br />15 <br />