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7 <br /> <br />Staff’s perspective is that these billboards are unlikely to be removed in the foreseeable future and if <br />they were destroyed, they would likely be replaced within the allotted time the State requires the City <br />to provide. Moreover, the current billboards in our community have minimal care paid to their <br />appearance and do not feature any community messaging. Formally allowing these signs to exist under <br />our current Code rather than treating them as non-conformities along with the proposed requirements <br />for aesthetic improvements and community messaging is a clear benefit to the city. Staff reviewed <br />many nearby communities to evaluate what regulations we should put in place and have included a <br />comparison chart (Attachment 4). <br /> <br />The proposed ordinance makes the following changes: <br /> <br />Organization <br />1. The proposed ordinance removes billboards from non-conforming/prohibited signage and <br />establishes them as a separate section of the sign code – 916.090 (Page 13 of Attachment A). <br /> <br /> General Standards <br />2. There can never be more than three (3) billboards in the community. <br />3. Billboards can only be built to face highways and are only allowed in the C-1, I-1, and I-2 <br />districts. <br />4. Billboards shall not exceed 35 feet in height or 700 square feet. <br />5. Billboards must be separated from one another by 1500 square feet <br />a. Relevant if one gets relocated. The two on Highway 36 are currently ~850 feet apart. <br />6. Cannot be closer than 500’ to a residentially zoned property or nonconforming residence ( <br />b. Both highway 36 billboards comply. The one on Spruce Street is currently ~450 feet <br />from a vacant residential property on the other side of I-694 <br />7. All support columns must be concealed with a decorative architectural treatment (brick, stone, <br />masonry panels, etc.) <br />8. The support columns must prominently display a City of Little Canada insignia visible from the <br />road. <br />9. Any ground equipment must be screened with landscaping. <br /> <br />Dynamic Display <br />10. Signs/Images must be up for a minimum of eight (8) seconds and must be static. <br />11. Must change message instantaneously – cannot fade or burst. <br />12. The display must be a complete message meaning it cannot carry over between two slots. <br />13. The sign shall not exceed a maximum brightness of 0.3 footcandles with automatic dimmer <br />control. This measurement ensures minimal glare for drivers and is in line with our luminance <br />standards elsewhere in the code (0.4). <br />14. An upgrade to a dynamic display requires that the architectural treatments outlined above are <br />installed. <br />15. Every dynamic sign must provide at least five hours per month for community and public <br />service messages. The City creates/determines the content. <br />16. The signs shall be a part of Minnesota’s public safety alert system.