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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – MARCH 17, 2014 2 Commissioner Jones suggested that the number of tenants within a building and the size of the parking lot be considered in the Sign Code. Councilmember Holden stated that the Sign Ordinance was developed due to the number of large sign requests. She reported that Arden Hills did not want to become a neon lit community with extremely large signs. Mayor Grant reported that a level of flexibility could be written into the Sign Code, however, there had to be a limit. He asked if the Council opposed the Planning Commission reviewing the Sign Ordinance. The Council supported the Commission moving forward with reviewing the Sign Ordinance. Mayor Grant discussed LED lighting and recommended that the City and Planning Commission get out in front of this issue. He suggested that staff speak with neighboring communities regarding the regulation of LED lighting. Vice Chair Thompson agreed. Councilmember Holden questioned which aspects of LED lighting would be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Vice Chair Thompson indicated that this has yet to be determined by the Planning Commission. City Planner Streff anticipated that this would include LED lighting on canopies and signs. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that more and more businesses were changing light fixtures out from incandescent or fluorescent to LED’s for cost saving measures. She distinguished between LED’s used for traditional lighting purposes and LED’s used in a neon-like manner as decorative accents. Councilmember Holden discussed the brightness of Presbyterian Homes’ new sign. She suggested that the Commission review all areas where LED lights could be used. Commissioner Jones suggested that the Commission consider the different lumens available in LED lights and which areas are most appropriate for brighter LED lights and which are not. Vice Chair Thompson commented that the Commission would have to research how other areas of the metro were managing this issue. Mayor Grant requested further information on the Illustration Guide for the B-2 and B-3 design standards. Vice Chair Thompson explained how the Planning Commission was approaching the B-2 design standards.