Minutes - 2009/01/12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 12, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 5 on County Road 10. She indicated she is willing to try this but wondered if it could be reduced to 7 seconds for signs located on internal roadways where the speed of traffic is slower. Council Member Gunn stated CVS usually sets its dynamic display sign at 12-15 seconds because they found 7 seconds was too fast. She noted the Holiday sign flashes and has 2-3 seconds between messages. She stated support for trying 10 seconds, noting the ordinance can be amended, if needed. Council Member Stigney stated he is comfortable with 10 seconds but was also comfortable with 12 seconds. He asked about the definition of "temporary sign." Community Development Director Roberts explained it is a sign that is easily moved and removed from the site. Council Member Stigney asked when a temporary sign becomes permanent, noting there are some year round signs in residential areas. Planning Associate Heller advised that each business, commercial, industrial or multi-residential tenant can have three temporary sign permits per calendar year and each is good for 21 days. The maximum size is 48 square feet. A temporary sign is not allowed in residential zones but a home based business can get a permit for a sma112 x 4 foot sign. Mayor Flaherty stated any sign smaller than 2 x 4 feet does not require a permit and can be in place indefinitely. Council Member Stigney asked if sandwich boards can be placed on a sidewalk. Community Development Director Roberts stated they cannot be placed on a sidewalk or public property. Mayor Flaherty noted reference in the staff report that an ordinance amendment is needed to the Zoning Code. Community Development Director Roberts stated that ordinance amendment will be presented to the Council within the next 45 days. Mayor Flaherty stated the issue of inoperable signs had been discussed, noting the ordinance indicates, "within one hour or as soon as reasonably possible from City notification." He stated that he would not find it reasonable if it took 3 days. He stated the biggest dynamic display sign in Mounds View is the Mermaid location sign and that owner had indicated their sign used holiday images during Christmas. It was noted the Code does allow for animation or movement that floats in and out, or soft transitions, but not flashing images. Mayor Flaherty noted the City Hall sign is set at 2-3 seconds so it will have to be changed to conform to the Ordinance. Council Member Stigney asked about the brightness of the dynamic sign. Community Development Director Roberts explained that an earlier version had contained language about brightness but the City does not own a light meter or have trained staff to measure light so including that type of language would be a bit subjective. He stated that during his research, he could not find a good example of language to define the brightness of a dynamic sign or to control it. Mayor Flaherty noted Item a addresses the need for signs installed after December 31, 2008, to contain an ambient light meter.