12-17-07 Item 1A Sign Code - Laserfiche WebLink

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" ~ ~HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: December 17,2007 Agenda Item :I.A TO: Mayor and City Council James Lehnhoff, City Plarm# Sign Moratorinm & Dynamic Sign Regulations FROM: SUBJECT: Request Provide guidance to Staff on moving forward with developing dynamic sign regulations. Backl!round On January 29th, 2007, the City Council approved a one year moratorium related to the construction of new and the modification of existing electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs, video display signs, flashing signs, and multi-vision signs in all sign districts. These types of signs are generally referred to as dynamic signs. The moratorium was enacted due to Clear Charmel' s illegal conversion of their traditional billboard to a dynamic billboard in the northeastern corner of Interstate 35W and 694. The City is in litigation with Clear Channel regarding the illegal sign conversion. Although the Clear Charmel dynamic sign was constructed in violation of the City's Sign Code, the City has begun the process of evaluating the current sign regulations to determine if the regulations meet City goals and if additional clarification is needed. Staff is now requesting guidance from the City Council on how to proceed with dynamic sign regulation in the Sign Code. Dvnamic Sil!n Rel!ulation The current Sign Code does not specifically address dynamic signs; however, the Sign Code does prohibit new flashing or scrolling signs and signs with moving, swinging or revolving parts. The Sign Code also prohibits the construction of new billboards, which makes all existing billboards nonconforming. A nonconforming sign can be replaced, maintained, and improved, but it cannot be expanded. Despite Clear Channel's conversion a traditional billboard sign to a \lMetro-inet.us\ardenhills\PlanninglPlanning Cases\2008\QX-OXX Sign Code (UPCOMING) \121707 - CC Report - dynamic signs. doc Page 1 of3