Laserfiche WebLink
Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br /> EDC AGENDA ITEM – 3B <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: March 27, 2024 <br /> <br />TO: Economic Development Commission Members <br /> <br />FROM: Elena Fransen, Senior Planner <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Sign Code Review – Summary of Review <br /> <br />Requested Action <br /> <br />The City is asking the Economic Development Commission to provide comments on the drafted <br />sign code review summary document. The document is a summary of the EDC conversations about <br />wall signage and freestanding signage. The Economic Development Commission may suggest <br />alterations and clarifications to the document as drafted. Commissioners are asked to consider <br />motion language to recommend the City Council review the summary of feedback at an upcoming <br />work session. <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />As representatives of the business and resident community in Arden Hills, the review of the <br />Chapter 12 – Sign Code of the City’s Code of Ordinance has been tasked to the Economic <br />Development Commission by the City Council. At the October 23, 2023 meeting, the EDC <br />reviewed the sign code for wall signage and discussed ways to improve the language based on <br />previous requests for flexibility. Some takeaways from the discussion were that the sign code <br />should be easily understood by business owners and be equitable to businesses. There was interest <br />shown to base permitted wall sign area on the size of the building and the wall area. Commission <br />members suggested that the sign code could be made simpler and more approachable for <br />businesses. <br /> <br />At the February 28, 2024 meeting, the EDC reviewed the sign code for freestanding signage. <br />Some takeaways were that the list of uses permitted to utilize dynamic signage could be <br />expanded based on location and proximity to residential lots, the size of a second freestanding <br />sign on a lot with two frontages could be increased, and sign copy area could be based on the <br />size of the associated building. <br /> <br />The focus of the EDC sign code review has been on permanent commercial message signage. <br />Staff has drafted a summary of the EDC’s comments for the group to discuss and modify prior to <br />making a recommendation to the City Council. The comments about signage types have been left <br />broad though specific details could be added for the City Council to consider. <br />