09-10-07 Item 7D, Clear Channel - Laserfiche WebLink

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PRELIMINARY DRAFT FOR REVIEW BY CITY OF MINNETONKA Further changes are anticipated following Signage Workshop **Preliminary Report is specific to City of Minnetonka issues and may not be sufficient to address concerns in other communities** Appendix A - Current Si!!n Technolo!!ies Roadside signage has long been used to alert and direct travelers to retail businesses, lodging, altractions and other destinations. Until the 20th century much of this image was "static" in nature, presenting a single image that could only be altered by repainting or otherwise removing an image and replacing it with another. With the advent of motorized travel, signage became more "dynamic" or active in its efforts to altract the traveler's attention as they moved at ever increasing speeds. Initially, motion was created by flashing bulbs or alternating sets of neon tubes, Today's technologies allow for an increasingly sophisticated display of images that can be manipulated by a few strokes of a keyboard, Simpler forms of signs capable of displaying multiple images include "tri-vision" signs which present a series of images through mechanical rotation of multi-sided vertical strips. The rotation occurs at regnlar intervals presenting a series of static images, Other forms are electronically produced, allowing for a wide range of colors, messages and images depending on the level of technology, and typically produced by light emilted by the sign face. Basic levels of technology presentlelters or numbers in a single color of light, such as "time and temperature" signs or gas pricing signs. Many of these signs can present longer images in a scrolling fashion, or can provide simple animations. Recent advances have introduced a variety of technologies to the outdoor advertising arena. The largest impact has been made with LED signs which offer an inexpensive yet powerful approach that combines full motion, brilliant colors and a readable display. Other technologies are in development, including "digital ink" signs that offer a changeable medium on a surface that looks like a normal vinyl billboard, These signs manipulate ink on the surface, allowing for a dynamic presentation of images without being internally illuminated. The various sign technologies are referenced by a wide array of terms: "changeable message signs," "electronic billboards," "animated signs." In general, this report focuses on the broad range of signage types which are capable of displaying multiple images through electronic manipulation, which we will refer to as "dynamic" signing, Reference to specific signage types is made when necessary to discussion of specific issues (e.g. the brightness of LED signage). J\~4