Minutes - Council - 07/11/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Kuzma, Councilmembers Musgrove, Olson, Howell Riley, Specht, and Woestehoff. Voting No: None. 6.02: PUBLIC HEARING - Consider a Conditional Use Permit for iDigital for an Off Premise Digital Billboard at 9500 Hwy. 10 NW. Presentation Planning Manager Larson reviewed the Staff report and request for a Conditional Use Permit for iDigital for an offsite billboard at 9500 Highway 10 NW. He shared the recommendation for approval and noted that this item will come back to Council as City Code stated that there must be a community agreement for public service messaging. Councilmember Musgrove asked about the location of the sign being straight across from Alpine Drive since the future of the roadway, with the Highway 169 study in Elk River, is unknown. Planning Manager Larson stated that he is not sure of what was in the study. City Administrator Hagen explained that Elk River is going through a process to identify what types of improvements should be made to reduce at-grade intersections to Highway 10. He stated that Alpine Drive connection to Highway 10 will likely be consolidated with two other roadways. He noted that the final location of this has not been decided. He shared that there is not a lot of risk involved in this location. Councilmember Woestehoff asked if there are any safety concerns with having this sign directly across from Alpine Drive. He asked if there could be concerns with distracted driving. He asked if this 11 acre lot has any intention to split in the future. Planning Manager Larson stated that is his understanding. Police Chief Katers stated that he was not involved in the discussion of this item. He said that he does not know the dynamics on whether or not this could be a distraction to drivers. Councilmember Woestehoff reiterated that he had concerns from a safety perspective with this sign being directly across from Alpine Drive. Planning Manager Larson stated that the ‘V’ shaped design of this sign is not wide enough that the drivers coming off of Alpine Drive would be able to get a good look at what is on the sign. Councilmember Riley mentioned that he would like to hear from the applicant. He asked if this sign will run the same ads as the other sign. Paul Hill, iDigital, came forward and shared that when they started this process they were diligently working with MnDOT in looking at the placement for this sign. He noted that the sign will be a little to the west of Alpine Drive. He stated that the ‘V’ is configured to the street and not to the intersection so it will not be a distraction to Alpine Drive. He noted that MnDOT would not City Council / July 11, 2023 Page 5 of 19