HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 7019• RESOLUTION N0.7019
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A -ONE YEAR
MORATORIUM ON THE INSTALLATION, ERECTION, CONSTRUCTION,
REPLACEMENT, MODIFICATION OR IMPROVEMENT OF STATIC OR CHANGING
ELECTRONIC, DIGITAL, VIDEO, DISPLAY SIGNS OR BILLBOARDS, AND
FLASHING, MOTION, ANIMATED, CHANGEABLE COPY AND ILLUMINATED
SIGNS IN ALL ZONING DISTRICTS
WHEREAS, the City of Mounds View regulates signs in all zoning districts;
1.01. WHEREAS, Section 1008.02, subdivision 13, of the Mounds View City Code
defines certain signs as follows:
ANIMATED SIGN: a sign that has any moving or rotating part; or uses movement
or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect or scene;
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN: a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters or
• illustrations that can be changed or rearranged electronically or manually without
altering the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes
more than eight (8) times a day shall be considered an animated sign for the
purposes of this Section. That portion of the sign on which the only copy that
changes is an indication of the time and temperature shall be considered a public
informational sign. Portable or non-permanent changeable copy signs shall, for the
purposes of this Section, be considered temporary signs.
FLASHIING SIGN: a sign or portion thereof whose illumination is characterized by
a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less
than the period of non-illumination. For the purposes of this Section, flashing will
not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on-off phases of
illumination exceeds four (4) seconds.
WHEREAS Section 1008.01 prohibits signs in all zoning districts of the City that are
located, designed or maintained in a manner which are likely to cause confusion or interfere with
the safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and other users of public streets and rights of way and
visibility of traffic signs, traffic control devices, crossroads, driveways or crosswalks;
WHEREAS, Section 1008.12, subdivision 1, of the Mounds View City Code prohibits
flashing signs, except those that provide public services information including time and temperature
per Section 1008.02; .
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• WHEREAS, representatives of the sign industry have issued press releases indicating the
intention to deploy digital billboard networks in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis .and St. Paul and
their surrounding ring suburbs;
WHEREAS, these digital billboards have been observed by the Mounds View Zoning
Administrator, and the. electronic, digital, video, display signs, billboards and billboard networks
were determined to fall within the City ordinance definitions for flashing, traveling or, changing
message signs;
WHEREAS, the City of Mounds View has several existing billboards and pylon signs along
major public roadways within its corporate boundaries that currently do not have electronic, digital,
video, display signs, billboards and billboard network displays;
WHEREAS, the City of Mounds View regulates signs and displays on signs in order to
reduce potential traffic safety hazards and visual blight. A major study on electronic signs prepared
by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) found that "motion or the illusion of motion of
lights or other display features, including animation, has "the greatest potential for motorist
distraction as well as a dominant visual impact on the aesthetic environment". (FHA Report, Part
VI, Section L.) The FHA study also found that control of the message interval and message cycle
as well as appearance of flashing must be regulated to prevent contributing to traffic hazards. (FHA
Report, Part VI, Sections G-J.} Signs, including changing image signs, that display graphics that are
animated, or portray motion, or display rapidly moving messages may contribute to traffic safety
• hazards and /or have adverse aesthetic impacts on the visual environment;
WHEREAS, there is a need to conduct a study so that the City of Mounds View can
consider possible amendments to its sign ordinance and zoning regulations pertaining to electronic,
digital, video display signs, billboards, billboard networks, flashing, motion, animated, changeable
copy and illuminated signs;
WHEREAS, there is a need for an interim ordinance to be adopted for the purpose of
protecting the planning process and the welfare of the citizens of the City until such a study has
been completed. There is a need to restrict certain signage until the study has been completed and
any modifications to the City's sign ordinances and zoning regulations are accomplished; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, section 462.355, subdivision 4, permits .the adoption of
interim zoning ordinances during the planning process.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESTOA as follows:
1. The City of Mounds View Staff are directed to undertake a study regarding electronic,
digital, and video display signs, billboards, billboard networks, flashing, motion, animated,
changeable copy and illuminated signs. The scope of the study should include review of
regional and national studies, local research, ordinances in other jurisdictions, review of
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relevant studies and a legal analysis of applicable case law, sign display operational
literature, existing electronic signs and other factual and quantifiable information.
2. Upon. completion of the study, the matter is to be considered by the Planning Commission
for its review and recommendation to the City Council
3. A moratorium is hereby adopted on the installation, erection, or construction of any new
sign or the alteration, modification or replacement of any existing sign, so that the new or
existing sign (as altered or modified) uses static or changing electronic, digital, or video
display or flashing, motion, animated, or changeable copy. The moratorium applies in all
Zoning Districts. The moratorium does not apply to repair or replacement of either an
existing legal sign or an existing legal nonconforming sign that has been damaged by less
than SO percent of its market value (using the replacement cost approach- to value), as
determined by the building official, provided that the repair or replacement only restores the
damaged sign to the same condition and method of construction and operation that existed
prior to the damage.
4. The moratorium is adopted pending completion of the study authorized by this resolution
and the adoption of any amendments to the City's sign ordinance or Zoning Ordinance. No
sign alteration shall be completed without a permit, and no sign permit may be issued for
any sign within the scope of this moratorium.
5. Unless earlier repealed by the City Council, the moratorium established under this resolution
shall remain in effect for a period of one year after its effective date. The moratorium period
may be extended for a reasonable time by ordinance, as permitted by law, as may be
necessary to complete the study and adopt any necessary amendments to the City's sign or
zoning ordinances.
6.
This resolution is effective upon adoption.
ATTEST:
(Seal)
ti
Ro arty, Mayor
~~~~ ~ L~
Kurt Ulrich
City Clerk-Administrator
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