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t r A • i STAFF REPORT To: Planning Commission '/1Report No.: VII.1 From: Kim Moore-Sykes,Assistant City Manager �V 0 Date: October 17,2006 Subject: Electronic Gas Price Display Sign —Mobil Service Station,2801 Kenzie Terrace Requested Action: Ordinance Language Change to Chapt. 14 Signs Date Application Received: September 19, 2006 Property Address: 2801 Kenzie Terrace Zoning District: Commercial 60-Day Expires: N/A* Waiver Letter Required: Yes Date Sent; X No *Action on this application scheduled for three readings with the City Council as per required by the City Ordinance. Chapter 14 is not part of the City's Zoning Code, therefore is not subject to the Minnesota 60-Day Rule. Background: Staff was contacted by Mr. Roger Bona,owner of the Mobil Service Station at 2801 Kenzie Terrace, about the process for submitting a request to install electronic gas price sign. Mr. Bona was advised that electronic signs are not permitted for any districts except signs in the Recreational/Open Space District located on property owned by the City or Independent School District 282. Mr.Bona indicated that because the gas prices are constantly changing,it is difficult at tunes to keep up with the fluctuations. He said this has been especially true during the winter months. The plastic numbers are brittle and more difficult to attach to the pylon sign and using a ladder is a dangerous proposition in the winter. In past years,the prices were stable for the most part but recently it has not been unusual to have them fluctuate several times in one week. He is concerned with the frequency with which his staff is required to manually change the gas prices. Staff was asked to determine what other Minnesota communities allowed gas stations to have electronic changeable price signs. Staff found several cities that allow electronic gas price display signs,including Shoreview,New Brighton,Columbia Heights and Watertown. Coon Rapids allows changeable copy for illuminated signs and the City of Bloomington is considering an ordinance that separates various types of electronic signs into four(4) categories to establish development standards unique for each sign type. Action: Provide recommendation to the City Council on whether or not to pursue language change to Chapter 14, the City's sign ordinance,regarding the permitting of electronic gas price display signs. Because this proposed change is not a change to the City's Zoning Ordinance, the City Council will hold three readings for the proposed language change. Attachments: • Letter and attachments from Mr.Bona. • Copy of proposed language change to Chapter 14 Sins,Sections 1400.07 and 1400.12. • Copies of ordinance language from Shoreview,Watertown,Bloomington, Coon Rapids,New Brighton and Columbia Heights regarding changeable electronic gas price display signs. 101706 PH Electronic Gas Price sign.doc