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lYIINUTES <br />PLANNING CONiN1ISSION <br />SEPTEMBER 8, 2005 <br />Knudsen noted that the City is not interested in having every business on <br />Rice Street with a flashing electronic message board. He noted that there <br />is currently one Rice Street business that has a flashing sign in its window. <br />Wethern felt that other businesses on Rice Street would not have a lot of <br />use for an electronic sign, especially given the cost of the sign. <br />Knudsen pointed out that once the City allows one sign such as this, it will <br />have additional requests. <br />Doug Nielson, AE Signs, appeared before the Comrission and reviewed <br />some newsletter articles relative to electronic message boards some of <br />which referred to restricting the right of commercial speech. He indicated <br />that electronic message boards are more aesthetically pleasing than the <br />manual message boards as well as easier to change messages. Nielson did <br />not feel there would be a precedence issue as he felt the cost of this type of <br />sign would control the number of requests. <br />Knudsen felt the issues were primarily aesthetics and secondly traffic <br />safety. Knudsen stated that the issue is what does the City want it <br />commercial districts to look like in the future. <br />Wethern asked if the Commission felt a sign with an electronic reader <br />board looked worse than a letter reader board. Knudsen felt that the <br />electronic reader board looked better, but was concerned about an <br />electronic reader board that had message that flashed, scrolled, and <br />jumped up and down. Knudsen pointed out that the City has worked hard <br />to upgrade Rice Street. Knudsen agreed with the Planner's <br />recommendation that if electronic reader boards are allowed, the City must <br />safeguard that Rice Street does not become a circus. Knudsen asked if the <br />Commission was inclined to recommend in favor of electronic reader <br />boazds, what restrictions would it place on these signs. <br />Wethern again stated that he did not believe the City would be faced with <br />many requests for this type of sign given the costs. <br />Socha asked why the AE Sign Systems wants the electronic reader board. <br />Wethern replied that the want the board to advertise their many products <br />as well as to advertise that they sell electronic reader board. <br />Knudsen stated that he understood why AE Sign Systems wants the <br />electronic reader board, and indicated that the City wants the business to <br />be successful. However, it cannot create afree-for-all when it comes to <br />signs. <br />~ -38- <br />