03/24/2008 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • AGENDA ITEM 6 A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jeff Smyser C.C. MEETING DATE: March 24, 2008 TOPIC: First Reading, Ordinance 04 -08 Amending Sign Ordinance BACKGROUND Dynamic display signs are signs with moving or changing images. These are being seen more and more around the Metro Area on billboards on freeways. The City adopted a moratorium on dynamic display signs in April 2007. The one -year moratorium expires on April 18, 2008. The City Attorney and staff have prepared an amended ordinance to address dynamic display signs and other issues. Changeable electronic billboards are being installed in various areas of the country and the Twin Cities. These billboards have large electronic screens that are programmed to change messages frequently, often every eight seconds. Because these large, flashing, changing billboards are very effective at grabbing the attention of passing motorists, they pose potential safety hazards. In addition, there are aesthetic and community character concerns with these billboards: they are very bright and many are in rural areas, where Lino Lakes residents value the dark night sky. As long as the sign ordinance was being amended in some major ways to address dynamic display signs, we decided to clarify other issues as well. The City amended its sign ordinance in 2005 specifically to address temporary signs and signage on buildings. The ordinance before you now, Ordinance 04 -08, is the first major overhaul in many years: probably since 1997. The Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval of the ordinance. ANALYSIS The old sign ordinance followed a clumsy format. The amended ordinance is reorganized and moves lengthy requirements for sign size and number into tables. This makes it much easier to determine the sign regulations in each zoning district. The old ordinance also included lengthy descriptions of the City's zoning districts, which is best done by the Zoning Ordinance. Of course, dynamic display signs are addressed in the revised ordinance.