Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/10/2008

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Case # ~ Public Hearing DISCUSS ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 9.12 (SIGNS) OF CITY CODE TO INCORPORATE "DYNAMIC DISPLAY" SIGN REGULATIONS: CASE OF THE CITY OF RAMSEY By: Breanne DaInes, Associate Planner Background: As part of the series of changes to be made to bring the City's sign ordinance up to date, staff has been conducting research with regard to the regulation .of electronic signs. These signs have many different names, but generally refer to signs with electronic or dynamic messages that automatically change. The impetus for the regulation of these signs is that there is a potential for these signs to be distracting to drivers and can compromise the aesthetics of the surrounding environment. While staff recognizes the impOl:tance of emerging technologies in the ability to adequately advertise both on-premise and off-premise businesses, it is also important to consider the negative effects ofthese signs, and provide regulations to mitigate these factors. The Planning Commission met on June 5, 2008, and discussed options for amending the sign ordinance. The Planning Commission di!ected staff to use the City of Minnetonka's sign ordinance as a basis for revisions, and to research Ramsey businesses' use of timing on existing electronic signs. The proposed ordinance is included in your packet. Observations: Definition of Electronic Sign: The proposed ordinance includes a defInition for "dynamic display" which is defIned below. This defInition is almost identical to Minnetonka's ordinance. Dynamic Display- Any characteristic of a sign that appears to have movement or that appears to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement of change is in the display, the sign. structure itself, or any other component of the sign. This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking, or animated display and any display that incofporatesrotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input or any other method of technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays. Brightness: The proposed ordinance states that no sign may be of such intensity of brilliance that it interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device or signal, or that distracts a motor vehicle driver. - ~ Size: The proposed ordinance limits dynamic display to 35 percent of total allowable signage (which would typically equal 35 square feet in commercial/industrial districts). 11