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~ ~HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: February 19, 2008 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: James Lehnhoff, City Planner SUBJECT: Planning Case #08-004 Sign Code Amendments ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Sign Code with Changes ReQuested Action Review proposed changes to the Sign Code and provide comments and questions. Backl!:round In January 2007, the City Council enacted a one-year moratorium on dynamic display signage. Dynamic display signs are billboards or other types of signs that can change messages and/or pictures electronically. The Clear Channel billboard at the northeast intersection of Interstates 35W and 694 is an example of a dynamic display sign. During the moratorium period, dynamic sign research was reviewed, the City's legal counsel was consulted, and other city's regulations were evaluated. The City Council came to a consensus that new dynamic signage should not be permitted in the City at this time. Although the current regulations do not permit dynamic signage, it was determined that the language banning such signs should be clarified, Therefore, the City Council has directed Staff to prepare an amendment to the Sign Code that specifically prohibits new dynamic signage. Although the Sign Code was last updated in June of 2006, it is important to evaluate City codes to ensure that they are meeting City goals and State statutes. Therefore, in addition to the more specific dynamic sign regulations, Staff is proposing other changes to further clarify and update the Sign Code. Since the Sign Code is not part ofthe Zoning Code, State Statutes and the City Code do not require a public hearing with the Planning Commission to make changes to the Sign Code. However, in order to have additional review of the proposed changes, the Planning Commission City of Arden Hills City Council WorkSess;onfor February 19, 2008 \\Metro-inet.uslardenhillslPlanning\Planning Cases\2008\08~004 Sign Code (UPCOMING)\021908 - CC WS Report - Sign Code Update.doc Page 1 of6