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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 19, 2000 Page 11 • 1 10. OTHER ITEMS. 2 10.1. City Monument Sign Subcommittee Update. 3 10.2. Electronic Signs - Issues Report. 4. Bergstrom noted the information contained in the meeting packet.. He explained that he.and Stil.le 5 put some thoughts together in a cover letter and a number of issues have been identified that need 6 to be looked at. He stated they met with the Director.of Public Works who staked an area where the 7 City would like to erect an electronic readerboard sign. A sign company then set up a portable 8 readerboard sign but it was found the location was not the best due to limited visibility. He noted 9 the staff suggestions as contained in the December 12, 2000 memorandum as to issues that should 10 be considered which relate to electronic signs. Bergstrom also noted the draft language proposed 11 and requested input so a recommendation can be formulated for the Council. 12 Hatch expressed concern with regard to aesthetics, noting the need for consistency. He stated he 13 would like to see colored photographs of signs showing different colored lettering. He stated that 14 LED signs may be preferable. Hatch noted another consideration is if the sign serves the public 15 interest. 16 Bergstrom agreed the school and city have a higher threshold of informing the public which is 17 different than signs used for retail sales. He stated the issue is whether it serves the public interest 8 to allow commercial operations to have electronic readerboards: He stated he does not think it is a •1 i 9 bad thing as-long as the issues of aesthetics are properly addressed. Bergstrom noted the League of 20 Minnesota Cities was contacted for samples of sign ordinances that regulates electronic readerboards 21 and it was found that the requirements varied greatly. He noted the suggestion is to not allow 22 scrolling readerboards. 23 Hanson stated he struggles with the need to allow any electronic readerboards given the village 24 atmosphere of St. Anthony. 25 Thomas stated he is not convinced it is the route to go, noting the level of media pollution that 26 currently exists. On the other hand,if the Council decides to approve it,he believes there should be 27 a required public service component even if it is to advertise the dates of municipal meetings. 28 Henry stated there are Walgreen signs without the electronic readerboard component. 29 Thomas agreed that electronic readerboards eliminate the concern with vandalism. Hatch questioned 30 the level of vandalism with the Stonehouse sign. 31 Thomas stated if it is approved, the issue of aesthetics would need to be fully addressed. 32 Melsha stated that depending on what is allowed,he may prefer an electronic readerboard which may •33 look better than signs with moveable letters. 34 Hatch suggested the use of smoked glass to filter the glare of exposed light bulbs. Bergstrom agreed 35 with the need to control color and intensity.