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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />JUNE 13, 2024 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />3 <br />billboards and their benefits. She noted that information was included in the packet for the <br />Commission to receive. She stated that the City Council is considering whether to include an <br />allowance, in some manner for digital billboards, within the sign ordinance. She reviewed some <br />of the research that staff would complete before bringing that forward to the Commission for <br />consideration. <br /> <br />Commissioner Masrud commented that he would be strongly opposed to having billboards in the <br />community as people are already inundated with pervasive and indiscriminate advertising which <br />has serious mental health effects. He stated that billboards are the spam of build environment. <br />He commented that the target would be highways and distracted driving is already an issue. <br /> <br />Commissioner Boe-Schmidtz commented that she would not want to see more billboard signage <br />and would need to see compelling reasons on why that would be a benefit to the community <br />before endorsing that concept. She noted that there are already stretches of roadway that are <br />littered with billboard signage, which deters from the natural environment. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thorson commented that he would be interested in the financial benefit to the <br />community. He noted the existing billboard off County Road D near the multiple family <br />building and commented that if that were changed to a digital billboard that could impact those <br />residents. He stated that unless there was a clear financial benefit, he would not see a reason for <br />support. <br /> <br />Chair Johnson commented that she would agree with the comments related to distraction as <br />almost every highway portion in Little Canada is an interchange. She stated that while it is great <br />to create revenue that could decrease taxes, she was unsure of a location that would not distract <br />drivers in an interchange area. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lum asked if there are examples of economic changes as a result of digital <br />billboards. <br /> <br />The Community Development Director stated that White Bear Lake constructed their own digital <br />billboards and therefore gains all the advertising revenue. She stated that she would look at <br />information from other communities to determine the revenue that is gained, how that revenue is <br />used, and whether there are additional benefits. <br /> <br />Commissioner Masrud recognized that Clear Channel provided a presentation and asked if there <br />will also be representation from other voices. <br /> <br />The Community Development Director explained that Clear Channel approached the City during <br />the last amendment to the sign ordinance <br /> <br />REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONERS <br />No comments.