PUBLIC HEARING: Conditional use permit for iDigital for a digital billboard at the northwest corner of Riverdale Drive and Traprock St. NW.

This spring, the City Council approved a City Code amendment to allow a limited number of digital billboards along Highway 10.  The City is the property owner and the Council has approved a lease with iDigital to place a digital billboard at this location.   The Economic Development Authority recommended approval of the amendment and lease to help support local businesses. 

Notification was provided in the August 12 Anoka Union Herald and mailed to property owners within 350 feet of the site.  A sign was also placed at the site indicating a development proposal.

A 41-foot tall horizontally-aligned billboard is proposed for the northwest corner of Riverdale Drive and Traprock Street.  The site is located along the south side of Highway 10. The structure for the former Wyatt Earp's Saloon is in the approximate location.  

The billboard is proposed to have an "architecturally enhanced base" as required by Code in the way of a stacked stone finish.  It is recommended that the colors of the store are tans and reds in order to complement the City's message sign on the other side of Highway 10 instead of the grays and blues that are shown on the rendering.  

The proposed 434-square foot sign meets all of the other site requirements in City Code, except for that it is placed within a platted drainage and utility easement.  It is not recommended to vacate the easement as it could be needed for utilities associated with the final phase of the Highway 10 Ramsey Gateway reconstruction project.  Instead, an encroachment agreement will need to be approved by the Council.  This type of agreement allows for construction of specified structures with the caveat that it could need to be removed if the easement is needed for its intended purpose.  

Messages must stay for at least 7 seconds with an instantaneous change to another message.  Animation is not permitted.  The maximum height allowed is 50 feet with a maximum area of 700 square feet.  


Alternatives

1.  Approve the CUP as recommended by staff with the conditions listed in the attached resolution.

2. Modify the CUP with conditions as deemed reasonable by the Planning Commission.

3. Deny the CUP based on certain findings. 

All costs associated with this request are the responsibility of the applicant.  If approved, the City will take in lease revenue.  

Staff recommends approval of the CUP for the billboard.  

Motion to recommend approval of Resolution #22-193 approving a Conditional Use Permit for a digital billboard at 7559 Riverdale Drive NW.