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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />October 24, 2006 <br />Page 4 <br />1 electronic price signage for gas stations. Chair Stromgren stated the Planning Commission went <br />2 through the conceptual review in September and a public hearing in October. He stated the <br />3 Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the amendment to the City <br />4 Council. Chair Stromgren pointed out the present restrictions on gas station price signage <br />5 restricts signage to pylon signs that may not exceed 150 square feet of sign surface and only one <br />6 sign is allowed per establishment. <br />8 Chair Stromgren explained the Planning Commission placed additional stipulations on the <br />9 amendment which include: copy height shall not exceed 14.5 inches; the electronic copy is <br />10 limited to numeric characters only; the electronic copy shall not scroll, flash, blink or include <br />11 animated copy of graphics; the electronic copy shall be limited to one color; and the electronic <br />12 copy shall be equipped with an automatic dimming feature to reduce brightness at night. <br />13 <br />14 Councilmember Stille asked Chair Stromgren what the reasoning was for the request. <br />15 <br />16 Chair Stromberg, replied that with the change in gas prices on almost a daily basis, the applicant <br />17 stated it has become dangerous in the winter and bad weather for employees to change the plastic <br />18 letters and numbers. He further explained this would be a remote or radio controlled unit. <br />19 <br />20 Councilmember Stille asked if the Planning Commission discussed whether the electronic sign <br />21 could be on either the pylon or a monument sign. <br />22 <br />23 Chair Stromberg replied it had, as the Commission did not want to restrict the electronic signs to <br />24 only the pylon. He also pointed out the locations of several monument and pylon signs at gas <br />25 stations around St. Anthony. <br />26 <br />27 Councilmember Stille stated electronic signs had a long history where several businesses had <br />28 requested them, but were not approved. He asked Chair Stromgren if that aspect was discussed. <br />29 <br />30 Chair Stromberg responded it was discussed as the Planning Commission is concerned with the <br />31 impact on the residences adjacent to the Mobil Station. He stated that is why the dimming <br />32 requirement was added to the restrictions. Chair Stromberg reported there was also discussion <br />33 on color; there was not being a strong feeling to restrict the signage to a certain color. He <br />34 mentioned red is the predominant color used as it is the cheapest. <br />35 <br />36 Mayor Faust stated before them was an ordinance change not subject to the 60 -day rule, but is <br />37 subject to three readings. <br />38 <br />39 Councilmember Gray stated he understood the need for these signs and the need for the ease to <br />40 change numbers. He mentioned he would like to see more standardization, perhaps on color and/ <br />41 or size. He stated would not allow signs that stood out excessively. Councilmember Gray stated <br />42 he would like to consider either all monument or all pylon signs for standardization. He <br />43 expressed he preferred monument signs as they would be the least intrusive. <br />44 <br />45 Councilmember Stille stated he thought about the other businesses that asked for electronic signs <br />46 and were consistently rejected by Council. He stated the only way he could support this is if it <br />