Consider a 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 (the lease agreement allows for Ramsey-based businesses to purchase ad time at a reduced rate).  The Planning Commission did not recommend approval of the proposal with a 3-3 vote at its meeting on September 29.

This site was selected for two reasons.  The first reason is that nearly all of the City-owned parcels along the north side of Highway 10 are in the RALF program, a restrictive right-of-way land acquisition loan program that would not allow for use of the property in that manner without a true City buyout of the property (RALF uses Metropolitain Council money loaned to cities to buy land to hold for pending roadway projects in advance of MNDOT acquisition).  The second is that the site is relatively close to the COR, even though on the opposite side of Highway 10.  The City Council approved the lease for this site on June 14, 2022, and now the applicant is going through the CUP process.  

The Applicant provided an alternative location for the sign at the western end of the same parcel.  This would slide the sign about 520 feet further west.  Staff feels this site is equally viable for a sign.

There was concern expressed by a property owner that the placement of this sign could impact the visibility of his developable property from Highway 10.  The proposed site is at the eastern end of neighboring property owner's land and it will maintain its visibility from Highway 10.  Any proposed retailer(s) will be able to construct a 75-foot tall sign under current ordinances, taller than what is allowed for a digital billboard.  The alternate location for the digital billboard will likely be more impactful to this property.  

  

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.  The public hearing was held on August 25 and one property owner gave verbal comments.

A 41-foot tall vertically-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.  Instead of the grays and blues that are shown on the rendering, it is recommended that the colors of the stone are tans and reds in order to complement the City's 30.5-foot tall message sign on the other side of Highway 10.

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 EDA and staff with the conditions listed in the attached resolution at the east (originally proposed) location.

2. Modify the CUP with conditions as deemed reasonable by the City Council, including selecting the western alternative location.

3. Deny the CUP as recommended by the Planning Commission 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 as the City is the land owner.  

Staff recommended approval of the CUP for the billboard to the Planning Commission.  The Planning Commission failed to recommend approval with a 3-3 vote at its meeting on September 29.  The EDA recommended approval of the billboard. 

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