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<br />City of Arden Hills <br />Planning Commission Meeting for September 4, 2019 <br />P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2019\PC 19-008 Drive-Through Menu Board Sign Code Text Amendment <br />Page 1 of 5 <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br /> <br />DATE: September 4, 2019 PC Agenda Item 3A <br /> <br />TO: Planning Commission <br /> <br />FROM: Mike Mrosla, Community Development Manager/City Planner <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Planning Case #19-008 Drive-Through Menu Board Sign Code Text <br />Amendment - Public Hearing Required <br /> Applicant: Expedite The Diehl <br />Property Location: 1313 County Rd. E <br />Request: Sign Code Text Amendment <br /> <br />Requested Action <br /> <br />Expedite The Diehl has submitted an application for a sign code text amendment on behalf of <br />McDonalds. The Applicant is requesting a sign code text amendment that would allow for <br />dynamic display menu board signs at drive-through facilities. <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />Over the last few years drive-through facilities have moved away from the traditional changeable <br />copy drive-through menu boards to dynamic display signs. Dynamic display signs are becoming <br />the preferred method of internal and exterior menu boards for restaurants and other establishments. <br />Dynamic display menu board signs are more cost-effective than traditional menu boards and <br />reduce the amount of waste in landfills. The digital display is also more energy efficient as current <br />LED technology has a far greater lifespan than traditional bulbs and ballasts. The use of digital <br />displays in drive-throughs reduces wait time spent in the drive-throughs by only offering items <br />that are available, thereby reducing vehicle stacking. <br />All of the existing drive-through menu boards in the community consist of changeable paper copies <br />and are backlit by bulbs. In the past, staff has utilized free standing sign requirements or designated <br />the signs as incidental sign. An incidental sign is any sign that is generally not understandable or <br />readable from property other than where the sign is located, such as from adjacent property or a <br />public street. Upon review, the majority of existing drive-through menu board signs were approved <br />as incidental signs and were not evaluated as they were located out of view. The proposed <br />amendment would require staff to review menu boards. <br />An example of the proposed dynamic display drive-through menu board signs can be found at the <br />McDonalds in Circle Pines and is shown on the image on the next page.