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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – September 4, 2019 2 menu board signs are more cost-effective than traditional menu boards and reduce the amount of waste in landfills. The digital display is also more energy efficient as current LED technology has a far greater lifespan than traditional bulbs and ballasts. The use of digital displays in drive- throughs reduces wait time spent in the drive-throughs by only offering items that are available, thereby reducing vehicle stacking. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported all of the existing drive- through menu boards in the community consist of changeable paper copies and are backlit by bulbs. In the past, staff has utilized free standing sign requirements or designated the signs as incidental sign. An incidental sign is any sign that is generally not understandable or readable from property other than where the sign is located, such as from adjacent property or a public street. Upon review, the majority of existing drive-through menu board signs were approved as incidental signs and were not evaluated as they were located out of view. The proposed amendment would require staff to review menu boards. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reviewed the proposed text amendment with the Commission in further detail and reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission on this matter: 1. Recommend Approval with Conditions 2. Recommend Approval as Submitted. 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Gehrig opened the public hearing at 6:44 p.m. Chair Gehrig invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. Tracy Diehl, McDonald’s representative, stated she was an expert in the sign industry. She explained other businesses were beginning to use dynamic display menu signs and commented on how a text amendment would benefit the City of Arden Hills. She reported it was becoming increasingly difficult and expensive for fast food restaurants to use the old types of signs. She discussed the expense of keeping these signs operational and difficulty businesses had finding replacement parts. She thanked the Commission for their consideration on the proposed text amendment. There being no additional comment Chair Gehrig closed the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Commissioner Jones questioned what kind of menu signs were allowed in the past. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated menu signs were classified as auxiliary signs and/or an incidental sign. He commented many signs were viewed to be internal to the site and did not require a permit. Commissioner Jones reported this technology would continue to change and evolve over time and would revolutionize storefronts in the future. He indicated he was pleased the City was reviewing this chapter of City Code. He stated he supported the proposed change.