Minutes - Planning Commission - 08/26/2021

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Commissioner Walker asked if this is City owned property that would be leased to a sign company. He asked if this ordinance would be intended to allow the City to do something that no other property could do. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl commented that three signs would be allowed with spacing two miles between signs, therefore other properties would be allowed if they met that distance. Commissioner Walker stated that his issue is that the Commission would be recommending an ordinance that only the City would benefit from financially. Commissioner Anderson asked the size of the sign that the City currently has on Highway 10. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl estimated the digital display section to be about 150 square feet. Commissioner Anderson noted that the digital display section of the City sign is clearly too small while he believes the Champlin billboard is much too big. He stated that perhaps half of that size be allowed. He stated that it would be nice to generate revenue from the sign, but he was unsure that he wanted it to be owned by the City. He stated that perhaps the land is rented, which would generate income. He stated that sign height will also be an issue because the new interchanges may impact views. Commissioner Gengler stated that she believes that the current proposal would have a sign company leasing the space from the City and the City would only have the one sign, which would leave two additional spots open for others that are interested. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl confirmed that the City does have a vendor it has been working with and the City is working on lease negotiations with that vendor. She stated that the EDA and City Council have chosen the vendor and made the decision to allow this, therefore an ordinance is needed. Chairperson Bauer noted that two other private parties could come forward with proposals if they met the requirements of the ordinance and spacing. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl stated that the draft ordinance includes a stipulation that there would need to be some benefit to Ramsey, such as a welcome to Ramsey statement, or advertising space for the City. Commissioner Gengler stated that she is concerned with the two privately owned lots. She stated that parts of the overlay are close to residential areas and asked if there could be stipulations on where the sign could shine to avoid impact to the adjacent residential areas. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl commented that the residential zoned and mixed -use zoned properties were not allowed and noted that an additional stipulation could be added requiring a certain distance from residential property. Commissioner Peters referenced the sign for Suite Living, noting that the sign is very bright. Planning Commission/ August 26, 2021 Page 21 of 26