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Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br />EDC AGENDA ITEM – 3C <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: April 23, 2025 <br /> <br />TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners <br /> <br />FROM: Elena Fransen, Senior Planner <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Zoning Code Update Background <br /> <br /> <br />Requested Action <br /> <br />The Economic Development Commission will review past efforts to review the Arden Hills Sign <br />Code and discuss the current zoning code update project underway. <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 (Attachment A) had been tasked to the <br />Economic Development Commission by the City Council. The goal of the review was to provide <br />direction for making the sign code more accessible and easier to interpret. <br /> <br />At the October 23, 2023 meeting, the EDC started this review and reviewed the sign code for wall <br />signage and discussed ways to improve the language based on previous requests for flexibility. <br />Some takeaways from the discussion were that the sign code should be easily understood by <br />business owners and be equitable to businesses. There was interest shown to base permitted wall <br />sign area on the size of the building and the wall area. Commission members suggested that the <br />sign code could be made simpler and more approachable for businesses. <br /> <br />At the February 28, 2024 meeting, the EDC reviewed the sign code for freestanding signage. Some <br />takeaways were that the list of uses permitted to utilize dynamic signage could be expanded based <br />on location and proximity to residential lots, the size of a second freestanding sign on a lot with <br />two frontages could be increased, and sign copy area could be based on the size of the associated <br />building. <br /> <br />At the March 27, 2024 EDC meeting, the EDC approved a sign code review summary document <br />with amendments to be shared with the Planning Commission. This summary document is <br />provided as Attachment B. The summary document was presented to the Planning Commission at <br />their June 5, 2024 meeting by staff with several EDC members in attendance. <br /> <br />In 2024, HKGi was selected by the City of Arden Hills to complete an update to the existing <br />Zoning and Subdivision ordinances. This work involves the Planning Commission and the City