Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/29/2022

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Regular Planning Commission Meeting Date: 09/29/2022 By: Todd Larson, Community Development Information 7. 1. Title: Conditional use permit for iDigital for a digital billboard at the northwest corner of Riverdale Drive and Traprock St. NW. Purpose/Background: This spring, the City Council approved a City Code amendment to allow a limited number of digital billboards along Highway 10. The City is the property owner and the Council has approved a lease with iDigital to place a digital billboard at this location. The Economic Development Authority recommended approval of the amendment and lease to help support local businesses (the lease agreement allows for Ramsey -based businesses to purchase ad time at a reduced rate). The Planning Commission held the public hearing for this item on August 25. The Commission tabled the review in order to learn more about the history of this particular site versus other sites that were ultimately not selected for the sign. The public hearing was closed, though if the Commission desires, it can take any additional public comment on the request. This site was selected for two reasons. The first reason is that nearly all of the City -owned parcels along the north side of Highway 10 are in the RALF program, a restrictive right-of-way land acquisition loan program that would not allow for use of the property in that manner without a true City buyout of the property (RALF uses Metropolitain Council money loaned to cities to buy land to hold for pending roadway projects in advance of MNDOT acquisition). The second is that the site is relatively close to the COR, even though on the opposite side of Highway 10. The City Council approved the lease for this site on June 14, 2022, and now the applicant is going through the CUP process. The Applicant provided an alternative location for the sign at the western end of the same parcel. This would slide the sign about 520 feet further west. Staff feels this site is equally viable for a sign. There was concern expressed by a property owner that the placement of this sign could impact the visibility of his developable property from Highway 10. The proposed site is at the eastern end of neighboring property owner's land and it will maintain its visibility from Highway 10. Any proposed retailer(s) will be able to construct a 75-foot tall sign under current ordinances, taller than what is allowed for a digital billboard. The alternate location for the digital billboard will likely be more impactful to this property. Notification: Notification was provided in the August 12 Anoka Union Herald and mailed to property owners within 350 feet of the site. A sign was also placed at the site indicating a development proposal. The public hearing was held on August 25 and one property owner gave verbal comments. Observations/Alternatives: