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<br />r <br /> <br />dynamic billboard sign, it remains the opinion of the City that their dynamic sign does not <br />conform to the current sign regulations. <br /> <br />Due to the recent issues regarding dynamic signage in Arden Hills, Staff does believe that the <br />Sign Code should be amended to better address dynamic signs since future requests are likely to <br />occur. In reviewing dynamic sign regulations, Staff has identified three options for regulating <br />dynamic signs in Arden Hills: <br />1. In conunercial zones, allow part of a sign to be dynamic and place restrictions on <br />brightness, motion, frequency of message change, sign size, etc. <br />2. In conunercial zones, allow all of a sign to be dynamic and place restrictions on <br />brightness, motion, frequency of message change, sign size, etc. <br />3. Ban new dynamic signs (except for electronic time and temperature). <br /> <br />There are three existing partially dynamic signs in Arden Hills: I. the entrance sign at North <br />Heights Lutheran Church on Highway 96,2. the Holiday Gas Station sign on Highway 96, and 3. <br />Brausen's Garage sign on County Road E near Highway 51. If this option is chosen, Staffwill <br />begin drafting regulations to allow a specific portion or percentage of a sigu within conunercial <br />areas to be dynamic. Regulations that address brightness, frequency of message change, size, <br />location, and other aspects of dynamic signs would also be included. The City of Minnetonka <br />allows a percentage of a sign to be dynamic, which could be a model for Arden Hills. <br /> <br />The City could also choose to allow entire signs to be dynamic signs. The recently converted <br />Clear Channel billboard is an example of this type of dynamic sign. Ifthe City chooses to move <br />in this direction, Staff can begin drafting the appropriate regulations, including regulations that <br />address brightness, frequency of message change, size, location, etc. <br /> <br />Finally, according to the League of Minnesota Cities, it is possible to completely ban new <br />dynamic signs. A complete ban could have an exemption for electronic time and temperature <br />signs, which has been upheld by the federal court of appeals as not being content based <br />regulations. If a total ban is enacted, the three existing partially dynamic signs would be <br />permitted to remain but no others could be permitted. <br /> <br />If a ban on dynamic signs is enacted, it may be difficult to grant future variances for dynamic <br />signs. Once a dynamic sign ban or other related regulations are adopted, it would be in the best <br />interest of the City to maintain consistency in evaluating sign requests, dynamic or otherwise, <br />because sign regulations are subject to a higher level of scrutiny under the law. <br /> <br />The City Council cannot make a [mal decision at a work session; however, Staff can move <br />forward with a consensus amongst the Council. Since I am unable to be at this work session, <br />please provide any questions to Meg Beekman, and I will respond to those questions upon my <br />return at the end of December or early January. <br /> <br />IlMetro-inet.uslardenhillslPlanninglPlanning Cases\2008\OX-OXX Sign Code (UPCOMING)\121707 - CC Report - dynamic signs.doc <br /> <br />Page 2 of3 <br />