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Chairperson Gengler closed the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. <br />Commission Business <br />Commissioner VanScoy referenced the definition of billboard, as proposed, which does not <br />mention the sign but the fact that it provides direction. He stated that in his opinion, a billboard is <br />a specific structure that has a certain amount of size to it. <br />City Planner Martin stated that he reviewed definitions of 30 other cities, and this is a standard <br />definition for this type of sign. He explained that the existing Code includes regulation within <br />definition, and staff tried to clean that up by having separate definition and regulation lists. He <br />stated that they also want to ensure that the definition does not regulate content as that is an issue <br />that is heavily adjudicated. <br />Commissioner VanScoy stated that the definition does not address the sign itself and asked if there <br />is an assumption that everyone knows what a billboard is. <br />City Attorney Knaak stated that he has a lot of knowledge in the area of signs and noted a recent <br />course that he taught on municipal signage. He commented that this update is very well drafted, <br />and if adopted, Ramsey will have one of the most updated and well -written sign ordinances that <br />he has seen. He stated that billboards are one of the most heavily litigated issues involving signs <br />nationally; therefore, generally speaking, there should be a billboard definition that does not have <br />a specific size mentioned. He stated that the definition should be very broad and should not <br />mention content, as that would begin to walk on unconstitutional grounds. He provided more <br />specific details on recent litigation cases. He explained that for these reasons, you would want a <br />definition that is very broad and content -neutral. He stated that this is a very well -drafted <br />ordinance. He stated that the regulations for a billboard are found elsewhere. <br />Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Hunt, to recommend that City <br />Council adopt Ordinance No. 25-07, Adopting the Sign Code Update. <br />A roll call vote was performed: <br />Commissioner Hunt aye <br />Commissioner VanScoy aye <br />Commissioner Bauer aye <br />Commissioner Anderson aye <br />Chairperson Gengler aye <br />Motion Carried. <br />7. COMMISSION BUSINESS <br />No comments. <br />Planning Commission/ March 27, 2025 <br />Page 8 of 10 <br />