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----.-.--- On March ] 3'1>, 2006, the City Council adoptcd a sign moratorium to all~w the City time to update the Sign Ordinance to remove any potential constitutional issues without the pressure of facing a costly lawsuit. Although Arden Hills has not receivcd any requcsts for new billboards, . the City's frontagc on Interstate 35W, Interstate 694, US Highway 10, and Highway 96 makes this an important issue. Discussion Except for some minor changes to the regulations in the residential sign districts, the permitted sign types and sizes in the other sign districts have not been reviewed or modified from the previous Sign Ordinance. This review process was focused on removing potential legal issues from the Sign Code and did not included an in-depth evaluation of the permitted sign sizes or types in the various sign districts. Changing the sign areas or types would requirc a scparatc review process that goes beyond the goal of this current process. At this time, Staff does not rccommend reviewing the permitted sign types or arcas in the non-residential sign districts. The proposed changes to the types and sizes of signs in the residential districts were primarily focused on increasing flexibility. Permitted Regulations While rcgulating content is generally prohibited, a city can regulate the type, size, lighting, height, color, location, and other impacts of a sign, There are a handful of sign rcgulations set by Minnesota State Statutes that must be followed, including provisions . regarding non-commercial signs during general election years and signs banning guns. Sign Ordinance versus Sign Code Based on a recommcndation from the City Attorney, the Sign Code will no longer bc part of the Zoning Ordinance. lnstead, the new sign regulations will be adopted as part of the City Codc, which makes the Sign Code easier to adopt and, if needed, easier to modify for future needs. However, that also means that a public hearing is not required to adopt the Sign Code. Public comments can be received at the discretion of the Planning Commission and City CounciL As noted above, the proposed Sign Code does not have any significant modifications ill tem1S of permitted sign types or areas from the Sign Ordinance. However, the Sign Code has been reorganized and updated to confonn to State Statutes. Additionally, a definitions section was added, portions of the Code were clarified, and language related to content has been removed, Due to the reorganization, it is not possible to have the old Sign Ordinance and the new Sign Code on the same documcnt. Ci~v qfArden HiIls Planning Commission Aleetingfor June 7, 2006 . 'Mclro-incl_L1s".arJcnhills'Planning'Planning Cascs"2006\()6--014 Sign Code (PENDING)\053006 - PC report sign ordinance.doc Page 2 of 4 ------ -----.--