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PROPOSED POLICY ON SIGN REGULATIONS The Village Zoning Ordinance prohibits advertising signs in all districts except those districts zoned for commercial use. However, a Special Use Permit is required for off -site advertising devices in such commercial districts and a building permit is required for any sign whether or not a Special Use Permit has been issued. The Ordinance also sets specific size, height and location specifi- cations for such signs as are permitted. There are many non -conforming signs(both business identification and off -site advertising) in the Village of Lake Elmo. It appears that within the next two years the State of Minnesota, through its Highway Department,will require the removal of many of these signs which are located along the state highways. The Planning Commission, therefore, recommends the following policy to the Village Council: 1. Except as provided below, all non -conforming signs in the Village will be eliminated by attrition until the Highway Department has completed its removal of signs along state highways. 2. No new off -site advertising signs shall be permitted. 3. Policies 1 and 2 above shall continue until the Planning Commission has completed a review of the existing Ordinance in the light of anticipated developments in the Village and recommend such amendments as may be necessary for a long-range regulation of signs. 4. Notwithstanding policy 1 above, the Village shall require removal of the following signs: (a) Dangerous signs -- such signs as the State Highway Engineers determine constitute a traffic hazard. (b) Dilapidated signs -- those signs the Village Building Inspector determines to be dilapidated because of lack of reasonable maintenance. (c) Signs constructed higher than 25 feet (the maximum height established by the existing Ordinance). (d) Signs newly constructed on a major highway without a Village permit after June 17, 1971, (which signs are prohibited by Chapter 173 of the Minnesota Statutes).