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<br />future they want to erect an illuminated pylon sign at their building with one face towards <br />Highway 10 and hope, when budget allows, that it can be a state-of-the-art, full motion video <br />sign. The sign will be utilized to not only deliver up-to-date radio information but also provide <br />valuable weather information, weather alerts and warnings, and Amber Alerts through new <br />technology. Mr. Carpenter suggested that the banks may not want to utilize scrolling signs but in <br />downtown St. Paul the brand new $64 million Minnesota Public radio facility has a banner <br />around their building, scrolling the latest news headlines. He noted that in New York City you <br />will see the same type of technology being used. He stated that providing information is vital to <br />the community and they want to be able to use their sign to provide that service. Mr. Carpenter <br />stated they will not be selling an item but providing information that people need. He stated in <br />his industry the availability of scrolling is important because the public relies on his company to <br />provide information. He stated they made a huge investment to move to Ramsey, enjoy the <br />community, and want to be able to erect the best sign they can to provide the best quality <br />information. <br /> <br />Mr. Carpenter asserted that scientific study has found that such a sign does not cause accidents. <br />What causes accidents, they have found, is if the sign is too small and drivers cannot read it. He <br />suggested that at 100 yards, a 35 square foot sign is too small and cannot be read. He stated if <br />illuminated signs are the major cause of accidents, there would be gridlock in Los Vegas, <br />. Nevada; however, they have one of the lowest number of car traffic accidents in the United <br />States yet have the most illuminated signs. He suggested the City give the public credit that they <br />live in a fast paced society and can process information quickly and move on. But, if you make it <br />difficult they will become frustrated and it could cause problems. He urged the Planning <br />Commission to reevaluate before moving forward. He offered his services, free of charge, to <br />provide information or to help in any way he can to assure the Planning Commission bases its <br />decision on scientific studies not personal opinion. He closed by saying he appreciates the <br />Planning Commission listening to his comments and is proud to be part of Ramsey. <br /> <br />Commissioner Brauer asked Mr. Carpenter, since he had read the scientific study, what is in the <br />scientific studies that are contradictory to the draft ordinance. <br /> <br />Mr. Carpenter stated he has not had time to read all of the studies but spent about an hour and a <br />half on the internet to research available scientific studies. He stated he would be happy to share <br />this information with staff. <br /> <br />Associate Planner DaInes pointed out that the SRF lit review included a countless number of <br />studies and is easy to download from the Minnetonka website. <br /> <br />Commissioner Brauer stated that information .was previously provided to the Planning <br />Commission. <br /> <br />Associate Planner DaInes explained the SRF study looked at signs where the message was up <br />long enough to read it and where the driver had to consistently look at the sign to read the <br />message over a longer period of time than allowed. The study was not specific to scrolling signs <br />but signs where you needed to look at them beyond a certain criteria. She stated that information <br /> <br />Planning Commission / July 10, 2008 <br />Page 6 of 17 <br />