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MEMORANDUM DATE: 05/11/04 MEETING DATE: 05/18/04 TO: Chair Stromgren & Planning Commission Members FROM: Susan M.H. Hall, Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: City Electronic Monument Sign Requested Action: On May 18, the Planning Commission should review and re-discuss the City's electronic reader board monument sign. At the meeting, the Commission should also discuss a schedule to move ahead with the public hearing concerning the sign. Background: The topic of a city electronic reader board goes back a few years; some on the Planning Commission have first-hand knowledge. The City Council has put the issue to the top of the list with it being a goal for 2004. The Council would like to see the sign installed this summer. In late 2000, the Planning Commission formed a subcommittee and thereafter came up with recommendations. The first recommendation concerned the location and the second related to the need for an ordinance amendment to allow for electronic signs. The preferred location recommended by the subcommittee was the area in front of the tennis courts nearby the intersection of 33rd Avenue and Silver Lake Road. The site was preferred because the sign could be built up on the side the hill and could accommodate plantings. The location directly in front of City Hall was discussed but not preferred due to visibility and space constraints. In addition, a site in front of Central Park, along Silver Lake Road, was discussed. On June 19, 2001, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to amend the city ordinance to allow for electronic signs, as a conditional use, in areas zoned recreational open space on city and/or school owned property, for public information purposes only. It was noted that considerations should be given to safety and aesthetics. The public hearing brought a lot of discussion about what the sign would look like. The Planning Commission noted on July 17, 2001, when the issue returned from the City Council, that the conditional use permit process would be used to set conditions to cover at least the following: (1) flashing and animation prohibited; (2) hours of operation are limited and shall be between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.; (3) message changeability should be minimum required to accomplish the purpose of the sign; and (4) sign aesthetics such as color, size of reader board and sign, construction materials, and landscaping; (5) consideration should be given to safety issues; and (6) purpose of sign should be for public services only. The City Council thereafter approved the ordinance change, following three readings and subject to the above conditions, on July 24, 2001. Given today's circumstances, including the addition of the Fire Station to Silver Lake Road, staff recommends the sign be placed in the island area between the City