06-05-24 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 5, 2024 10 Commissioner Blilie agreed with the recommendations from Commissioner Mitchell. She liked the idea of scaling signs to the size of a building’s frontage. She anticipated the City has erred to the side of caution too much. Commissioner Wicklund asked if there was a way to add a paragraph into the sign code that would require non-conforming signs to be brought up to new standards if requesting a change. Community Development Director Jagoe explained State Statute language was pretty clear when addressing non-conforming provisions. She reported staff was following these provisions. She stated the City would not be able to write something that says it’s conforming, rather the sign would remain non-conforming. Commissioner Wicklund questioned if the language within code would move towards adopting the greatest possible sign size or does the proposed language shrink the signs. Senior Planner Fransen stated previous flexibilities that were granted by the City were taken into consideration within the proposed sign code language. She noted this language could be further reviewed if direction was given from the Council. Commissioner Wicklund believed it appeared the broad recommendations would simplify the sign code. Commissioner Bjorklund indicated he supported the percentage of building elevation concept for wall signage. However, he wanted to see examples of what these percentages would look like. He requested further information on the EDC. EDC Commissioner Julie Gronquist introduced herself to the EDC stating members have to be a resident of Arden Hills, or a business representative in the community. She explained the EDC did not meet during COVID and began meeting again in August of 2023. She reported she owns a business in Arden Hills and has lived in the community for the past 24 years. EDC Commissioner Ted Brausen reported he has been part of the community since 1969, when his father opened a store. He explained he has been through many sign issues, some good and some bad, which was how he ended up on the EDC. He indicated he has worked with many staff members over the years and stated Community Development Director Jagoe and Senior Planner Fransen were wonderful to work with. EDC Commissioner Frank Cupery stated he was the Chair of the EDC. He reported he runs a business out of his home in addition to working as a building inspector for the City of Shoreview for the past five years. He explained he has helped with the sign code planning given his experience as a building inspector. Bob Sherlock, Sign Art, encouraged the Commission to review West St. Paul’s sign code as it was recently updated. He was of the opinion the changes that were made were very well done. Commissioner Bjorklund thanked Mr. Sherlock for this feedback. He understood signs can be very informative, but he also believed signs could be gaudy and do not properly fit into the natural environment. He did not want to see larger and larger signs in the community. He was reluctant to allow huge increases in signage.