09-04-19 PC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4. At any time the business or drive-through is closed to the public, any Drive- thru Board sign shall be dimmed and shall remain dimmed or be turned off until the business or drive-through is open to the public. This change is consistent with surrounding cities in Minnesota and it addresses the following criteria from §1200.02 Subd. 1: A. Permanent signs which establish a high standard of aesthetics and are appropriate for the planned character in each sign district as established in Section 1240; B. Signs which are compatible with their surroundings; signs of this type are required for a drive thru restaurant to operate. C. Signs which are designed, constructed, installed and maintained in a manner that does not adversely impact public safety or create a hazard to motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists; D. Signs that are proportioned to the scale of, and are architecturally compatible with, principal structures; new technology is available that allows for the better use of natural resources. Eliminating paper menus and the need for ballasts helps to reduce the carbon footprint. E. Permanent signs which give preference to the on-premise owner or occupant; F. Temporary commercial signs and advertising displays which provide an opportunity to advertise while restricting signs that create visual clutter and hazards at public right-of-way intersections; limiting the size of menu boards specifically will create consistency through-out the city for this type of use. G. Minimize adverse effects on nearby property; and, H. Provide for fair and consistent enforcement of the sign regulat ions set forth herein under the authority of the City; currently the code is silent on the use of menu boards and this text amendment will allow for concise guidelines that regulate this type of sign. This change also takes into considering the following criteria from §1200.02 Subd. 2: A. Permanent and temporary signs have a direct impact on and relationship to the image and aesthetic of the community; Menu boards are necessary for a fast service restaurant to function. Providing for clear text in the ordinance to address this sign type will allow for consistency. B. The manner of installation, location and maintenance of signs affects the public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the community; Menu boards prevent stacking in the drive thru by allowing for patrons and citizens to move thru the drive thru quickly. The clear deliverance of menu options will facilitate in the safe moveme nt of traffic. The proposed text amendment allows for the use of the latest technology. C. An opportunity for viable identification of community businesses, residences, and institutions must be established; The menu boards are necessary for a drive thru restaurant to remain viable and are not intended for viewing beyond the property line. D. The safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and other users of public streets and property is affected by the number, size, location and appearance of signs that create a hazard for drivers, particularly from dynamic display signs; The menu boards are not dynamic display signs. The images are static and have the brightness of a Kindle. The screen can be dimmed and programed to be off when businesses are closed. The overall intent of this menu board is not to distract motorists but rather for viewing of the vehicle that is in the drive thru lane and they are only intended to facilitate a streamlined process of customer ordering for a drive thru es tablishment.