Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/27/2025

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minimum duration of 4 seconds or longer; Ramsey currently has the shortest duration. The general consensus (including codes from Elk River, Shakopee, Lino Lakes, and Prior Lake) is no more than 8 seconds between display changes. Off -premise EMCs in Ramsey are currently required to not change their displays more frequently than once per 7 seconds. Staff is seeking guidance on whether to retain the 3 second minimum, increase the minimum to 7 seconds in accordance with off -premise EMC regulations, or make another change to display frequency. • The current code also states that transitions between displays must be instantaneous without special effects, meaning that an EMC changes from one static display to another static display without any movement, such as those commonly seen in PowerPoint presentations. This standard is very common among peer cities in the metro, though it is rarely followed in Ramsey. Staff is seeking guidance on whether to retain and enforce the current regulation, or to change it to allow for non -instant transitions. • The current code also states that no EMC display may include flashing or scrolling text, or full -motion video. This is also quite common among peer cities in the metro, though it is rarely complied with in Ramsey. Staff is seeking guidance on whether to retain and enforce the current regulation, or to change it to allow for some movement and/or scrolling text. 3. Lastly, Staff is seeking guidance on temporary signage regulations, which were not included in the attached document. • Ramsey's current regulations are generally in alignment with peer cities, though our code does not address newer types of temporary signage, such as plastic sandwich boards and feather signs. Additionally, proactive code enforcement has been discouraged in recent years by City Council. Lastly, businesses rarely obtain permits to install temporary signs, meaning that several temporary signs posted throughout Ramsey are not following current code requirements. It is also quite common to see non -permitted temporary signs placed in the right-of-way, which is not allowed. This has prompted Staff to seek guidance from the Planning Commission and City Council on how to proceed with temporary signage regulations. After all sections of the code have been drafted and reviewed, Staff will bring forward a comprehensive document for the Commission to review and make a formal recommendation to City Council. This is anticipated for a Public Hearing to be held at the Planning Commission's meeting on March 27th. Notification: Notification is not required for this stage. However, Staff wrote an article for the March/April edition of the Ramsey Resident to explain the Sign Code Update. This article includes a Public Hearing notice for Planning Commission's full Sign Code review to be held on March 27th. A Public Hearing notice will also be posted in the Anoka County UnionHerald. Funding Source: The Sign Code Update is being handled through Staffs normal duties. Recommendation: Provide direction to Staff to develop clear, consistent, and simplified regulations for various types of signage in all zoning districts. Outcome/Action: Provide direction to Staff to develop clear, consistent, and simplified regulations for various types of signage in all zoning districts. Attachments Draft Code - Definitions and Regulations Sign Regulations - Chapter 117 (Existing) Sign Regulations in the COR Framework (Existing)