Agenda - Planning Commission - 10/28/2021 - Work Session

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Special Planning Commission Meeting Date: 10/28/2021 By: Chloe McGuire Brigl, Community Development 2. 1. Information Title: Review Ordinance Amending Digital Display Billboard Regulations Purpose/Background: The City Council has directed Staff to move forward with amending the City Code to allow for digital display billboards along Highway 10, with the intention of leasing City -owned land to a private sign developer in order to provide visibility to businesses who may not be on Highway 10 to the numerous cars driving along Highway 10 daily. Additionally, the private company will build and lease the sign, with a discount for Ramsey businesses, and the City will make funds off the lease. The purpose of this case is to review the proposed changes to the Sign Code. The Economic Development Authority will be working on the land lease with the company independently from this case, and the City Council will have final approval over both items. Notification: No notification provided for this meeting. A public hearing notice is required for this ordinance, to be held with City Council. Observations/Alternatives: Summary The City Council has directed Staff to update the City Code in order to allow for digital display billboards along Highway 10. The City is planning to lease 7443 Highway 10, a currently vacant site just west of the existing monument sign, to a private company for a large digital display sign. In creating these regulations, Staff attempted to be as clear as possible, limiting the number of signs to 3 throughout the City, and covering items that other Cities include in their ordinances. The findings, purpose, and intent of the Code section is important as it sets the tone for the section and can be taken into consideration when reviewing applications (to ensure they meet the intent of the district). This is a longer section of Code, which appears to be industry standard. Staff attempted to cut superfluous regulations where possible, but based on the significant amount of code surrounding billboards, this appears to be the required items to protect the City, drivers, and residents, while allowing businesses extra visibility on Highway 10. Feedback Requested • Does the Planning Commission want to limit signs to be a principal use (no building required), an accessory use (accessory to a primary building)? • Note: As currently written, digital billboard signs are only allowed as a primary and principal use, and can't be placed upon any site that has a building. • All Cities appear to limit the duration of each slide, with 8 seconds appearing to be the industry standard and average. Does this timeframe appear to be sufficient? • Note: The existing sign code for dynamic displays (currently allowed signs are significantly smaller