Adopt Ordinance to Amend City Code Chapter 117, Article II, Division 8 (Signs) Related to Temporary, Construction, Real Estate, and Off-Premise Signs

In reviewing sign permits approved over the past several years, Staff has identified several topics for discussion:

• Temporary Signs
• Real Estate Signs
• Construction Signs

The last major revision to the City's Sign Code was completed in 2008. This revision was completed in response to a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling regarding a local Minnesota city's ordinance and content-based regulation. This revision attempted to best match the feedback from said court ruling, removing all references to content-based regulation. In addition, dynamic display technology began to emerge, especially for billboard technology. Since then, the City has processed two (2) minor adjustments to the Sign Code. Staff has also been monitoring new, emerging technology and surrounding communities' sign regulations. Based on that analysis, and feedback from previous applicants, Staff is suggesting the following changes.

The following recommendations are based on previous reviews and feedback received from sign applicants, and is intended to provide a more flexible set of standards that better matches the community's goals and desires.

The case includes two (2) attachments related to revised text. 'Redlined Text' is a document with all language included in the amended sections. 'Ordinance' is a shortned version for publication that only includes sections that are proposed for revision. To best understand the context of each amendment, refer to 'Redlined Text'.

The Public Hearing was properly published in the Anoka County Union, the City's official newspaper.

The following is a summary of exising standards and proposed amendments to the City's general sign regulations. In reviewing potential amendments, the Planning Commission should focus on standards to address size, location, duration, and construction specifications. Sign regulations should not be based on the content of the sign. Please note that these sign regulations do not apply to The COR development, as that area carries its own standards due to the architectural requirements of the development.

Temporary Signs

The most frequent request Staff responds to is in regard to temporary signs. The temporary sign regulations are currently drafted in an effort to mainly address the portable, interchangable letter signs. Largely due to aesthetics, these types of signs are limited to six (6) weeks per calendar year per parcel (or per business on a multi-tenant parcel), with a bonus four (4) weeks afforded to those parcels with no documented sign violations within the past twelve (12) months. In a cursory review of surrounding communities, the timeline established in Ramsey is average to above average. Temporary Signs are limited to fifty (50) square feet.

Staff has not proposed any changes in the draft ordinance at this time, but is seeking feedback from the Planning Commission on any desired amendments. The City could consider separate timeframes based on construction specifications. For example, the City could consider interchangable letter signs differently than vinyl affixed lettering or banners.

Real Estate Signs

The second most frequent request for information Staff receives is in regard to real estate signs. With the 2008 sign code update, Staff was working off recommendations that real estate signs should not be treated any differently than temporary signs. Staff suggests considering these closer to non-commercial speech signs. These signs are not advertising for a product or service itself occuring on the site, rather indicating that the space itself is available. Staff believes there is a greater public benefit in providing exemptions to real estate signs in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare associated with vacant areas. The current draft does not specify a limit on the size. The Planning Commission could consider a size limitation. 

Construction Signs

City Code does currently have provisions that actually require certain construction related signs. However, the Sign Code is silent on Construction Signs. The attached draft provides an exemption to the temporary sign regulations for these required types of signage. The current draft does not specify a size limit. The Planning Commission could consider a size limitation. If that is the case, Staff would recommend either 32 or 64 square feet per face, based on the standard size of a sheet of plywood typically used for these types of signs. Alternatively, these signs could be limited to the size allowed for permanent signs in the underlying zoning district.

Dynamic Display Signs

Over the past several years, technology related to dynamic display continues to evolve and improve. The City's current standards aim to reduce driver distraction by addressing length of display, animation, brightness, and size/percentage of overall sign. Currently, dynamic display is limited to 35% of the total sign face.

As Staff has reviewed multiple requests for dynamic display, it has become evident that the percentage limitation has become somewhat of a barrier, especially on higher speed roads where a larger display may actually be more beneficial by making the sign more readable. Staff suggests considering removing the percentage limitation and focus on an overall size limitation. By focusing on limiting the size, brightness, and other distracting factors, a percentage of the overall sign face may not be necessary. There are a few examples in the near vicinity of larger dynamic displays to consider.

Also, the City has received a request for the use of dynamic display for a portable, temporary sign. The entire sign face would be dynamic. Sizes for temporary, portable dymaic displays could be limited to traditional temporary sign limitations of 32 square feet or 50 square feet.

Off-Premise Signs

Currently, all off-premise signs are considered billboards, which are currently prohibited. Staff suggests a more flexible definition of off-premise, perhaps focusing on proximity rather than limiting to just the parcel on which the activity is occuring. The attached draft creates allowances for shared signage at shared access and shared signage for unified developments.

The ordinance was introduced by the City Council on November 13th, and is now eligible for adoption.

Preparation of the ordinance is being handled as part of regular Staff duties.

The Planning Commission met on Thursday, October 4th, 2012 and recommended approval of the ordinance amending City Code Chapter 117, Article II, Division 8 (Signs), with an amendment to the draft to include a maximum size for Real Estate Signs (included in current draft).

Motion to waive the City Charter requirement to read the ordinance aloud;

-AND-

Motion to adopt the ordinance amending City Code Chapter 117, Article II, Division 8 (Signs).

Roll Call Vote:

Councilmember Wise
Councilmember Backous
Councilmember Elvig
Councilmember McGlone
Councilmember Tossey
Councilmember Strommen
Mayor Ramsey