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NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS INC. <br />PLANNING REPORT <br />;, <br />TO: Little Canada Planning Commission <br />MAR 31 19R3 <br />FROM: David Licht 1-111Y <br />CITY OF <br />DATE: 30 March 1983 LITTLE CANADA <br />RE: Sign (Zoning) Ordinance Amendment - Pylon /Window <br />Signs (Little Canada Mall) <br />FILE NO: 758.09 (83.12) <br />BACKGROUND <br />As you are aware, the Little Canada Mall has taken issue with the City's Sign <br />Ordinance regulations as they pertain to pylons and specifically to their <br />property. At the suggestion of the City Council, representatives of the Mall <br />have filed applications to amend the text of the Ordinance and have proposed <br />wording which they feel appropriate. <br />At our office's suggestion, they have also addressed window signs. Our rationale <br />was that if an increase in identification signing was being sought, it would be <br />an appropriate trade off to limit window advertising. <br />Our office received the proposed draft on 25 March and we responded verbally to <br />the proposed wording on 30 March. Our office's delay in this matter has <br />prevented our viewing the revised text which will be submitted. Our report, <br />however, will address those items which were discussed with Mr. Brody. <br />ISSUES AND ANALYSIS <br />A. Pylon Signs <br />It is our office's position that signing is a policy matter which is largely <br />dependent upon a community's outlook on character of development. A funda- <br />mental distinction in this regard is the purpose of signs. Signs are a <br />communication device which serve one of two purposes: (1) business or <br />property identification, and (2) advertising. Within our urban system <br />and business economy, business identification is seen as critical. This <br />leads the consumer to the merchant. Advertising is also a critical aspect <br />of our economic system. The extent to which signs are used to achieve this <br />objective is, however, questionable, at least in our opinion. <br />The proposal as drafted for freestanding pylon signs is taken from Brooklyn <br />Center's ordinance, which in our experience has resulted in reasonable <br />useage. Brooklyn Boulevard is illustrative of the development which has <br />occurred. To be pointed out, however, is the fact that Brooklyn Boulevard <br />does not have a substantial amount of small lot developments. <br />.1.(; <br />4820 minnetonka boulevard, suite 420 minneapolis, mn 55416 612/925-9420 <br />