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Mounds View Planning Commission October 15, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity A. Sign Code Amendment Community Development Director Roberts stated that before the Commission tonight is a proposed amendment to the city sign code. This amendment is driven by the need to include dynamic display signs in the code. Currently, the city code does not allow them. In review of the sign code, staff found other areas that also need changing. The definition of dynamic display signs are signs where the face changes electronically similar to the sign located at the Mermaid. In revised City Code Chapter 1008.10 Subd. D, dynamic display signs would be considered a ground sign and could be allowed on the sites of schools, churches, places of worship or other institutional land uses. The code regulates the minimum amount of time that each message is displayed, and what that amount of time should be is something that the Commission should discuss. Staff felt that if the sign message changes more frequently, the sign would be more of a distraction to drivers and could cause safety issues. If the message display time is set too long, it defeats the purpose of the sign. Staff has set these limitations to a minimum of 15 seconds display time, and billboard signs would have a minimum display time of 30 seconds. Director Roberts stated that within the ordinance there is an incentive for sign owners. If the owner of a billboard wants to add a dynamic display sign, this ordinance would support it. However, if the owner wants to remove a sign face, this ordinance is in support of that also. This would cause a voluntary reduction of billboards in the city. He stated there is additional language in the proposed code about maintenance and repairs to signs. Director Roberts recommended the Planning Commission approve Resolution No. 896-08, a resolution recommending approval of an amendment to Chapter 1008 of the Mounds View City Code About the Requirements for Signs and Billboards. Commissioner Lang asked why there are two different time length requirements. Director Roberts stated 30 seconds is for billboards. These signs are located on freeways and the longer time will alleviate any distractions for drivers. He stated staff would be notifying all sign owners with the new display time requirements when the city changes the ordinance. Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek asked about how many displays a driver can really see when driving by at 50 mph. She questioned the impact the sign has. Director Roberts stated the driver will see different messages but may not see them all. He stated the dynamic display sign has more of an impact than a static sign.