09-13-07 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 13, 2007 The Planner noted the dispute that the City of Minnetonka had with Clear Channel, and as part of their settlement agreed to an 8 second standard for billboards in exchange for Clear Channel eliminating two billboards for every one converCed to the new technology. All other electronic and digital signage has a 20 minute message change standard. Duray asked about fees associated with this technology. The Planner reported that in addition to the sign permit that would be required, electronic and digital signage would be subject to an annual license fee. The Planner indicated that City Staff has reviewed the proposed changes and in addition to some housekeeping changes, is making the following suggestions. The first would be to standardize the treatment of window signage that currently exists in the ordinance. Businesses are currently allowed signage in 33% of their window area, businesses in shopping centers are allowed a maximum of 50 square feet of window signage, and businesses in the redevelopment district are allowed 20% of the window area for signage. The City Planner suggested that a flat 20% of the window area be allowed for signage in all business districts. Any existing window signage would be grandfathered in. The Planner noted that with regard to signage in the Public Zoning District, monument signs are limited to a maximum of 24 square feet. City Staff is recommending an increase to 32 square feet which will bring some existing monument signage into conformance. Knudsen recommended approval of the Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance addressing the regulation of temporary signs, dynamic and electronic signs, and other permitted sign standards as presented by the City Planner, and asking that the City Council reconsider the message change time for billboards to conform with industry standards of 8 to 10 seconds. Motion seconded by Duray Motion carried 7 - 0. DAVE Dave Himmelbach reported that in the mid-1980's he brought some HIMMELBACH artifacts that he found on his property to the University of Minnesota. The University indicated to him that these artifacts appear to be real, and if they were the result would be a re-write of history. Himmelbach stated that he did not follow up on this for a variety of reasons. However, he would encourage the City to treat the area with care given that it could be a cemetery from antiquity. -16-