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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-23-25 EDC Agenda Packet Chair: • Jud Murchie Commissioners: • Ted Brausen • Julie Gronquist • Bobby Bonine • Vincent Meyer • Jessica Daniels • Kyle Sorenson • Kristine Poelzer • Deborah Fellows Council Liaison: Councilmember Emily Rousseau Arden Hills Economic Development Commission Meeting April 23, 2025 City Hall 1245 W. Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 651.792.7800 www.cityofardenhills.org City Vision A strong community that values our unique environment, our fiscal soundness, and our tradition as a desirable city in which to live, work, and play. Agenda Regular Economic Development Commission Convenes 7:30 AM Call to Order 1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 26, 2025 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. In-Person Business Visit Strategy Next Steps B. 2025 EDC Work Plan C. Zoning Code Update Background 4. COMMENTS AND REPORTS A. Report from the City Council B. Economic Development Commission Comments 5. ADJOURNMENT A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. Meeting materials are available online at: http://www.cityofardenhills.org/agendacenter CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FEBRUARY 26, 2025 7:30 A.M. – ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Chair Jud Murchie, Commissioners Kyle Sorenson, Ted Brausen, Julie Gronquist, Kristine Poelzer, Jessica Daniels Absent: Commissioner Bobby Bonine, and Youth Commissioner Vincent Meyer Also Present: Council Liaison Emily Rousseau and Senior Planner Elena Fransen The Oath of Office was administered to new Commissioners Sorenson, Poelzer and Daniels. Each of the EDC Commissioners introduced themselves and shared their reasons for serving on the Commission. 1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chair Murchie called the meeting to order. A motion was made by Commissioner Brausen and seconded by Commissioner Poelzer to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 2. APPROVAL OF VICE-CHAIR Chair Murchie stated that Youth Commissioner Vincent Meyer was unable to attend the meeting. He had expressed interest in serving as the EDC Vice Chair. A motion was made by Commissioner Brausen and seconded by Commissioner Gronquist to approve Youth Commissioner Vincent Meyer as Vice-Chair of the EDC. Motion passed unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF 2025 MEETING CALENDAR Chair Murchie outlined the proposed meeting schedule, as provided in the Agenda Packet. Senior Planner Fransen pointed out that there is opportunity to add meetings to the calendar. She noted the possible additional dates in the Agenda Packet. She said March 26 is Mounds View’s Spring Break so that alternate date is not available. Meetings can be added, as needed. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 2 Commissioner Poelzer noted the December 23rd meeting is the day before Christmas Eve. She would not have a problem meeting that day, but she wanted to point it out as some Commissioners may be out of town for the holidays. Chair Murchie wondered if the calendar can be approved with language that states meeting dates are subject to change. Senior Planner Fransen confirmed. The calendar can be modified at a later date, if needed. Discussion ensued regarding possible changes to the calendar that could be forthcoming and the advance notice Commissioners will get prior to any meeting changes. Chair Murchie summarized the discussion that Commissioners agreed to change the meeting that was scheduled for December 23 and meet on December 17, instead. Also, if there are any additional changes to the calendar Commissioners will be notified at least three weeks in advance. A motion was made by Commissioner Poelzer and seconded by Commissioner Gronquist to approve the meeting calendar, as amended. Motion passed unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. October 23, 2024 A motion was made by Commissioner Brausen and seconded by Commissioner Gronquist to approve the minutes, as written. Motion passed unanimously. 5. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. In-Person Business Visit Strategy Next Steps Senior Planner Fransen summarized that in 2024 the EDC discussed the work plan for the year. Strategies that were discussed included a business resources page on the City website, including events, in person business visits, business surveys, a hosted event with businesses, website business directory with contact information and links to businesses, engagement email. Senior Planner Fransen said at the May 22, 2024 meeting the EDC discussed the top three strategies, ranking them in order. The first item was the in-person business visits, followed by an in-depth business survey and a business resources page on the City website. The entire Commission focused on the in-person business visits. A sub-committee was established with Commissioners Brausen, Gronquist and Bonine. That group put together a list of questions to be asking businesses to establish a connection between the EDC and businesses. These visits were intended to help us to learn what types of businesses are in the City. A goal of the visits was to learn more about the business community while also informing them that the EDC is a resource. Senior Planner Fransen said the questions were reviewed and approved at the June meeting. Senior Planner Fransen said a handout was drafted and approved at the July meeting. This handout was intended to be left for the business after the in-person visit. A timeline was established for the visits and a procedure document was approved. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 3 Senior Planner Fransen said the physical addresses of businesses were identified and broken out into lists and each list was assigned to a different Commissioner. Those in-person visits started in September. The progress was discussed at the October meeting. Senior Planner Fransen said there were two Commissioners who decided to conclude their involvement with the EDC at the end of 2024. They did not complete their visits. There are businesses on those lists who have not been contacted yet. Senior Planner Fransen opened the discussion for Commissioners to give further updates and ask questions. Chair Murchie asked other Commissioners, namely Commissioner Sorenson, what their reasons were for establishing their businesses in Arden Hills. Commissioner Sorenson said he found Arden Hills through his realtor. He was looking at locations in surrounding cities. He found an open space and took the time to walk around the community. He found this community to be active and involved. He said that is something the EDC can capitalize on. The community wants to be involved. Chair Murchie asked if he visited the surrounding communities’ website to see if they had business resources. Commissioner Sorenson said he did not. Commissioner Daniels asked if the Commissioners all did in-person visits. She asked if the businesses were receptive to the visits. Commissioner Brausen said 95% of the businesses were welcoming. He had to make an appointment at a couple places, which he thought was fine. He said a repeating theme was hopes that construction on Lexington be limited and coordinated as much as possible to avoid traffic flow interruptions. Commissioner Daniels asked if there is a more comprehensive survey forthcoming after the visits. Commissioner Gronquist said the survey was conducted during the visits. Commissioner Daniels asked if there was a strategy for reaching businesses that were not visited by an EDC member. Commissioner Gronquist said a post card was dropped off to any business that was not reached for an in-person visit. If email information was known, an email was sent inviting them to complete the survey. Senior Planner Fransen said the questions were universal. Commissioners asked the same questions of each business, so the information being gathered was consistent. Commissioner Daniels asked if all the businesses were accounted for. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 4 Senior Planner Fransen said every effort was made. There were some corporate groups that were removed from the visits, because it was difficult to pinpoint who to talk to. They tried to capture as many voices as possible. Commissioner Brausen said he had a great time completing the visits. Commissioner Gronquist agreed. She said it was hard to catch some people. She sent emails to any business she was unable to connect with. She is not sure if they completed the survey that was provided in the email. She got a great response from all the businesses she was able to visit in person. Commissioner Sorenson asked what the approach was for when to complete the visits. Commissioner Gronquist said that was a part of the procedure document approved prior to starting the in-person visits. Commissioner Brausen said businesses were more open to talking to him after learning he was also a business owner and not a city official. Commissioner Sorenson said as a business owner, the phone call prior to the visit sounds helpful. Otherwise, someone walks in and says they’re from the Economic Development Committee the first thought is they’ve done something wrong. He also said business hours vary, depending on the type of business. It may prove hard to find someone on site, during regular business hours. Commissioner Gronquist said that is what her strategy was. A lot of times business owners don’t work at the physical location. Commissioner Murchie experienced challenges with catching some businesses during bank holidays. He hadn’t thought about how some owners may not trust a drop in visit. An appointment could be helpful. Senior Planner Fransen said one of the protocols was to avoid the word survey. That can deter participation. Council Liaison Rousseau said that it is sad that the first instinct is to not trust the City. She would love to shift that perception. She asked if there is any interest in a meet and greet with business owners at City Hall. Commissioner Brausen said they used to do that years ago. They would meet quarterly, typically at Flaherty’s. Business owners and City Officials would meet and discuss issues in the city. He said County Road E used to have flags along the road. It was pretty. Council Liaison Rousseau said County Road E was the main street. Commissioner Brausen said he doesn’t understand why City Hall was built on 96 when it should have been downtown. Commissioner Poelzer said the nice thing about County Road E is it is Arden Hills on both sides. She said a lot of people are confused where the City borders are. She remembers the flags. She thinks that solidifies the area that “This is Arden Hills”. She thinks there is value in that. If there ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 5 was a way to indicate “This is Arden Hills” along Lexington, that would be great. If Shoreview wanted to do a similar thing on their side of Lexington, so be it. She agrees that stretch of road used to have a community feel. Commissioner Brausen said we have to grasp that Arden Hills is a small community. Instead of trying to be like Shoreview, we need to accept our small-town feel. Commissioner Poelzer asked if the Commissioner’s affiliation with the EDC is as a resident or as a business owner. Discussion ensued regarding where Commissioners’ businesses are located in town. Senior Planner Fransen provided the results from the survey. The collected results consisted of 21 respondents. The original 6 lists contained about thirty businesses each, for a total of 180 businesses attempting to be contacted. Senior Planner Fransen said there was an open-ended question that asked what resources or forms of support would help the business succeed. Some responses included knowing more about local resources, help publicizing brand/business awareness, better signage and keeping Lexington open. Senior Planner Fransen said businesses were asked where they get their city information. The Arden Hills Notes newsletter was referenced as a resource businesses use. Commissioner Daniels asked what kind of improvements businesses wanted in regards to signage. Commissioner Brausen said he was assigned a warehouse area. Some of their signage wasn’t controlled by the City. Chair Murchiesaid signage for the business, not the City. Commissioner Brausen confirmed. Senior Planner Fransen said many of those buildings are multi-tenant. She thought directional signage for truck traffic may be what those businesses were talking about. Commissioner Poelzer asked if there is a master list for all of the businesses in the city. Senior Planner Fransen said the City has a business license process. Businesses are asked to provide their contact information, along with current insurance. There are some gaps in participation. It doesn’t always give a local contact, if the business is a franchise or has headquarters elsewhere. Commissioner Poelzer asked if anyone has verified that all of the businesses receive our newsletter. Senior Planner Fransen thought that was tracked. The newsletters are mailed to addresses, based on County information. There are challenges with that in multi-tenant buildings. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 6 Commissioner Gronquist said she doesn’t receive a newsletter at her business address. She said newsletters aren’t mailed to specific addresses; they are “dropped” via zip code. The zip code is 55112. When carriers are delivering mail, they are to drop a newsletter in every box with a 55112 zip code. Her business is in a small section of the City with the zip code 55126. Council Liaison Rousseau said with a large business like Bethel, if one newsletter is dropped, there is no way everyone will see it. Commissioner Gronquist said you can sign up to have an electronic newsletter delivered to your email address. Commissioner Daniels asked if email addresses were collected as a part of the survey. Commissioner Gronquist said that was a question. They asked for email contact information and asked if it was okay for EDC to contact them via that email. Senior Planner Fransen said that information is also collected with the Business License process however, that can be a corporate email, not necessarily the local contact. Commissioner Poelzer said hearing that businesses list the newsletter as a resource for City- specific information, it should be a priority to let people know they can receive it electronically. Commissioner Sorenson asked how the newsletter is being promoted. He is in the 55126 section of town. He didn’t even know there was a newsletter. Senior Planner Fransen said that is something to keep in mind. There is an opportunity to make recommendations for how the City can leverage the newsletter. If the EDC wants to generate content for the newsletter featuring businesses or events, that can be added to the work plan list. Commissioner Poelzer asked what the business license fee is in Arden Hills. Senior Planner Fransen said it varies, depending on the type of business. Commissioner Gronquist said service businesses apply for a registration, which has no cost. The License fee is based on the type of business. She said some fees are regulated by the State and the City has no say in the amount. The City’s fee schedule establishes the fees for other businesses. Commissioner Gronquist said the list of license fees is provided on the City website. Chair Murchie asked about a business breakfast. He wonders if there is interest in piloting a business open house, over breakfast or lunch. Members of the EDC could have a table, and they could have the newsletter available. EDC members could collect some data by talking to the business owners who attend. He understands there are costs to that type of event but he thinks that may be a way to provide some networking opportunities for owners who don’t live in town. Commissioner Brausen said when these events happened regularly before, there were a lot of people who attended. Chair Murchieasked why the breakfasts stopped happening. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 7 Commissioner Brausen said a change in City Council affected it. A former mayor was very business driven. She would plan the breakfasts. It fell off the radar when new leadership took over. He is sure Flaherty’s would let us use their space, if it were to start up again. Council Liaison Rousseau wondered if Commissioners thought business owners would be more likely to attend an event like that if the EDC member that did the in-person visits did a follow up and invited them to a business breakfast. Chair Murchie thought using the survey as a reason to reach out, but also collect the survey from those who didn’t have a chance to respond. Commissioner Daniels said that is a great way to “close the loop”. Senior Planner Fransen shared the public event response from the survey results. Fourteen of the 21 survey respondents said they would attend a public event that features businesses. When asked about being featured in a newsletter article, 18 of the 21 respondents said yes. When asked about having their business listed on the Arden Hills website, 19 of the 21 respondents said yes. The respondents were asked if they were open to receiving future communications from the EDC, 17 of the 21 said yes. There were 8 respondents who indicated they were open to attend an EDC meeting in the future. Senior Planner Fransen asked if anyone had questions or comments regarding the results she shared from the survey. Commissioner Gronquist said nearly everyone she talked to was open to future participation. She said there could be interest in attending an event, as long as it was not too frequent. Chair Murchie asked the business owners on the commission if there were a breakfast, what would they want to be covered at such a gathering. Commissioner Brausen said it would be nice to see the Mayor and some City Council members attend. Commissioner Gronquist thought establishing a regular schedule, if there is interest, would be a way to share these survey results and capture additional survey information from those who haven’t had the chance to respond yet. There could be a laptop or paper surveys available. She said newer business owners are going to be interested in networking. Established business owners may have other priorities beyond networking. She thought it would be important to provide an introduction to highlight the EDC, the community support and city leadership. Council Liaison Rousseau thinks it would be interesting to share the sign code work that has been done over the past year. The Planning Commission is currently working on code updates and zoning in business districts. These meetings could be informative and update business owners on what’s happening in the City. She would like to make businesses aware of our Adopt-A-Park program. We are looking for businesses to adopt the parks. We can inform them about the Gateway Visitors Bureau to help facilitate events at their location. The Chamber can be highlighted. It will open a line of communication for businesses to let the City know what would be helpful in maintaining their success. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 8 Senior Planner Fransen wondered if it would be helpful to have some confirmed businesses. Letting business owners know that there will be other businesses there, not just City Staff and Commissioners. Commissioner Gronquist said she thinks that could help with attendance. Business owners are busy so they want to feel that an event like this is valuable. Council Liaison Rousseau said, as a Councilmember, she would be curious to know what the tax percentages are doing to the smaller businesses. We have added a Franchise Fee. Everything is getting more expensive plus inflation. She doesn’t love increasing taxes. She wants to know how it’s impacting people. She would be willing to start the conversation to ask how things are going. Commissioner Brausen said it’s not just taxes, it’s insurance and everything else is skyrocketing. Council Liaison Rousseau said it is the same for the City, taxes and insurance is up for employees. Senior Planner Fransen asked for direction on business visits. There are some businesses that haven’t been visited. She asked if the group wanted to continue to reach out or does the Commission feel comfortable that the results we already have driving the next steps. She asked if the group wants to move forward with some of the strategies that have already been identified. Senior Planner Fransen noted the next scheduled meeting is in April. It is possible to add another meeting. The fourth Wednesday in March is not going to work for many of the Commissioners. Council Liaison Rousseau said the end of September would be a good time for the networking event, if we move forward with that strategy. There will be planning involved. Chair Murchie asked if it would make sense to build off of last year’s sub-committee to try to plan and propose a business gathering. He thought we could continue the outreach but include this upcoming event to explain we are trying to bring the business community together. We could even have a survey that asks business owners to share what they would like to get out of a business gathering. He thought we could continue the surveys but also “closing the loop” though some type of event. Commissioner Sorenson thought the invite could identify the event as a business forum. It’s a good ice breaker to make a connection. Commissioner Poelzer asked if there is a Rotary Club for Arden Hills. Commissioner Sorenson confirmed there is an Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotary. Commissioner Daniels wondered if that is a good avenue for inviting Arden Hills businesses for connections. Senior Planner Fransen said that is one idea. There is also an opportunity with the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce that has a Business Council Meeting that is open to all. Commissioner Poelzer said she will take a list of businesses that still need to be visited. She likes the idea of saying the EDC is looking forward to facilitating a business gathering forum. She asked what the forum is called. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 9 Senior Planner Fransen said the Business Council title implies membership, importance and elected members. Some people may be turned away by that because it doesn’t sound like it includes them. She thought it would be a good topic to workshop what the event may be called. Commissioner Brausen thought “Breakfast with the Mayor and Councilmembers” Chair Murchie wondered if it would be better not to mention City Council. Commissioner Poelzer has career experience in human services administration and resource development. One of the best ways to bring people together is to provide food. Breakfast, gives a time of day and lets the invitee know they will get food. Commissioner Poelzer asked if she should be providing the information on how to receive the electronic version of the newsletter. The nice thing about an electronic version is it doesn’t cost any more money. Commissioner Gronquist said it’s very easy to find on the website and you can see the old ones and sign up for whatever list you want. It’s well done. Commissioner Sorenson said the access is there. The point of this breakfast is to give an update on what is happening, and then let business owners know where these resources are. He said going on the website as a new business owner is a lot. There are a lot of tabs, lots of pages it can be difficult to navigate what’s important for him. Chair Murchie offered that he could pull together some information for the April meeting. He will identify a framework for what an event may look like. There were a lot of good ideas discussed today and he will consolidate the ideas for discussion. That should still leave enough time to pull an event together by September. Senior Planner Fransen thought that was great. She asked if any other Commissioners wanted to be a part of planning. She noted Commissioner Brausen has attended these types of events. Commissioner Brausen said the events he attended were sponsored by businesses. He doesn’t think the City should pay for it. Commissioner Sorenson asked if businesses sponsor a table or the entire event. Commissioner Brausen said a business would sponsor the whole breakfast. The sponsor rotated. Flaherty’s prepared the breakfast but the sponsoring business paid for it. He said the owners are nice and they’ve been in the city for a long time. He is certain they would host the events again. Commissioner Daniels said if this is going to be an ongoing event, it’s important to have that consistency. Commissioner Brausen agreed. It has to be predictable. Certain dates, same location. Commissioner Daniels thought the Anderson Center at Bethel University could maybe offer space. There is easy access and parking. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 10 Commissioner Gronquist said she would be happy to help with any planning. Senior Planner Fransen summarized that Chair Murchie will put together a proposal timeline for a future event and present it at the next meeting. She encouraged the group to continue to brainstorm. She is going to put out a follow-up poll to Commissioners, if they want to continue with the visits. If there is interest, she will split the remaining addresses between Commissioners who are opting in to continue. She understands availability can vary from fall vs. spring. Work planning will continue, to include the breakfast event in the fall. Commissioner Gronquist said there is something on social media regarding a business that opened in Arden Plaza. The narrative on-line is that the City Council is shutting them down. She believes the area isn’t zoned properly and the City needs to address it. Senior Planner Fransen directed that if anyone has questions about that specific situation, they should reach out to City Administrator Jagoe. Senior Planner Fransen concluded that next steps for the business strategy have been established. Discussion of the business breakfast will be forthcoming at the next meeting. 6. COMMENTS AND REPORTS A. Report from Staff None. B. Report from the City Council Council Liaison Rousseau said that Council has traditionally cancelled the second meeting of the month for January, February and March. She would love to have more meetings to get through all the items on their priorities list. Council Liaison Rousseau updated that there was an ice relay held in Arden Hills the previous weekend. She explained that an individual came to a PTRC Meeting to talk about this event. There are only seven events like this in the entire world. Vermont is the only other place where one of these relay events are held in the United States. There were 100 participants from 6 different countries. PTRC has interest in building community gatherings like this. Arden Hills has Rib Fest. The organizers of this event has indicated that he would like to see this be an annual event. She sees events like this building community. This can generate pride. She sees the economic value of these activities. It draws people into our businesses. Council Liaison Rousseau attended a Gateway Visitors Bureau onboarding for their board members. She doesn’t serve on that board, the Mayor serves on that board for the City. She encouraged the group to consider intentionally moving their activities and events. She would like to move them to within a three week period, or so, to really try to market that in a way that they can talk about it a little bit more and provide that to people in the Fargo area and people from Duluth like to come here. There is data that Chicago is another place that visitors are from. They come into the business, spend a night at our hotels, and spend money in our community. Their data indicates that January through March has the lowest amount of hotel occupancy. The president of this group made her aware that there is a regional grant. He thought this would be a great ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 11 opportunity for those funds. The grant is specifically for marketing to encourage visitors to spend money in our businesses. Last year Arden Hills received $18,000. The City gave some of the funds to Bethel University for their homecoming, to encourage parents to come and spend the night in a hotel. This grant money can be used by for-profit businesses. She encouraged the Commissioners to let the Council know if those types of opportunities arise. Council Liaison Rousseau said the Council’s next agenda includes Rotary’s application to Adopt- A-Park. They are adopting Floral Park. They love that it is 25 acres of wilderness. The Park and Recreation Manager position was approved. There was also a Public Works Park Lead position established. Council hopes that these staffing resources will help with the Adopt-A-Park program. She encouraged the Commissioners to let businesses know that in the spring of 2026 the City hopes to expand the program. There is hope that Boston Scientific will step into Cummings Park. There are a lot of other opportunities. The Rotary came to Arden Hills because Shoreview’s parks and trails are all adopted. She explained adopting a park is a two-year commitment. Commissioner Brausen asked if they will be cleaning up the park. Council Liaison Rousseau said the Rotary really wants to get their hands dirty. They are excited about working on garden spaces and cutting down buckthorn. They chose Floral Park because they want it to be labor intensive. Commissioner Sorenson said the Rotary’s plan is to partner with the schools and bring in school clubs to complete these projects. The kids don’t typically get to garden or do yard work. So it’s a cool opportunity for the students. Council Liaison Rousseau said civic groups and individual residents can adopt the parks, as well as businesses. Council Liaison Rousseau updated that the senior living apartments at the North Heights Church was approved. She pointed out that the Planning Commission is not happy that there is zero affordable housing included with the plan. This is the third Senior Housing project that has been approved in recent years and there is no affordable housing in place. Our Comprehensive Plan states that we want affordable housing but the City Code does not require it. Projects can’t be legally rejected based solely on that criterion. The developer is well aware of that. The Planning Commission knows that there is a gap. They will be on top of fixing that code. Seniors are often on fixed incomes and have generally left the job market. It seems like building affordability into projects like this seems appropriate. Council Liaison Rousseau wondered if the EDC will have input with the City Code work the Planning Commission is reviewing. Senior Planner Fransen said previously the City Council had been asked which stakeholders were to be included in the conversation regarding zoning code updates. Primarily it will be the Planning Commission because they administer the Zoning Code through land use applications that they review. She thinks the EDC is welcome to be a part of those conversations. Some of these code updates will be on the agenda for the Planning Commission’s April meeting. That is where they will talk more about the business districts. The Planning Commission meeting will be April 9th. She will provide an update on that topic at the April EDC meeting. She said the EDC is welcome to have discussion and make recommendations. There will be ongoing discussions and the EDC will have great insight on business district updates. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 12 Council Liaison Rousseau asked how an EDC member could take part in the conversation at the April 9th Planning Commission meeting. Senior Planner Fransen said there is a public comment period. There was a presentation at the last meeting. She shared a link to what they presented, as well as some of the high-level points that were discussed. There is opportunity for the public to make comment on the presentation. If there are commissioners who want to attend as a representative of the EDC, that is a great opportunity. She will let the consultant know. She thinks they would be happy to have input from business owners and residents who are thinking from that business perspective. The consultant can tailor their presentation related to that. C. Economic Development Commission Comments None. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Poelzer and seconded by Commissioner Daniels to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m. Page 1 of 2 EDC AGENDA ITEM –3A MEMORANDUM DATE: April 23, 2025 TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Elena Fransen, Senior Planner SUBJECT: In-Person Business Visits Strategy Next Steps Requested Action The Economic Development Commission should revisit the In-Person Business Visits strategy and provide updates to each other and staff. Background At the May 22, 2024 meeting, the EDC discussed and elected to focus on in-person business visits to get started and help inform future work of the EDC as well as to become better connected to the Arden Hills business community and get feedback on how the EDC could support businesses. A sub-committee was formed to focus more specifically on the questions that would be asked of each business. At subsequent meetings the commission reviewed the questions drafted by the sub-committee, approved a handout to be used for the business visits that could be left behind for a business representative to review and complete the visit questions at a later time and also reviewed a drafted procedure document and timeline document for approval. Staff made preparations for the visits by compiling a list of business addresses for each commission member to use. Staff divided up the business addresses among the six commission members who were to complete the visits. Six lists of 29-32 business addresses were created for the commission members. Addresses were provided in list form in addition to a map of where the businesses are located within the city. EDC members picked up materials and planned to start their visits in September. The group next met on October 23, 2024 to discuss the progress of the visits. At the February 26, 2025 meeting, the EDC discussed the in-person business visit strategy and next steps. The group decided to redistribute the remaining business address lists to two of the new commission members. Staff also shared a high-level overview of the business visit results that have been entered using the Survey Monkey. Page 2 of 2 Discussion Topics of discussion include: In-person business visits status updates Business visit results review Next Steps The EDC should discuss and evaluate the in-person business visit strategy based on the updates at the meeting and determine next steps. EDC members should discuss and provide further direction on how the results from the visits should be used to inform a work plan. Attachments None Page 1 of 2 EDC AGENDA ITEM –3B MEMORANDUM DATE: April 23, 2025 TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Elena Fransen, Senior Planner SUBJECT: 2025 EDC Work Plan Requested Action The Economic Development Commission should discuss the 2025 EDC Work Plan and tasks that the EDC would like to accomplish in the year ahead. Background At the February 26, 2025 meeting, the EDC discussed the in-person business visits started in late 2024 and next steps to complete these visits. Staff asked the EDC to consider how the results from the visits could inform the EDC Work Plan. Staff presented the initial responses to the visit questions and identified that 14 of the 21 respondents indicated that they would be interested in attending a public event that features Arden Hills businesses. During the February 26 meeting, the group discussed hosting an event for local businesses. It was mentioned that this type of event could be held in September to allow for time to plan and get the word out to local businesses to encourage attendance. The group mentioned that the event could be a breakfast event at a local business with sponsorship from a local business. Attendees could be members of the Arden Hills business community, the Economic Development Commission, the City Council, and staff. Discussion The EDC should revisit the conversation from the February 26 meeting and the idea of a business event. The EDC should discuss how a business event would fit in the 2025 EDC Work Plan and identify milestones to make progress. If the group decides to move forward with a business event, details should be discussed, such as the following. - Purpose of the event - Date Page 2 of 2 - Milestones - Location - Topic for the event - Attendees to invite - Possible speaker - Possible sponsors - Plan to invite attendees and promote the event - Event sub-committee Next Steps Based on the EDC discussion, staff will work with EDC members to establish a timeline with milestones for the 2025 EDC Work Plan. The EDC will revisit the Work Plan tasks at the June meeting and share updates on associated tasks. Attachments None Page 1 of 2 EDC AGENDA ITEM – 3C MEMORANDUM DATE: April 23, 2025 TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Elena Fransen, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Zoning Code Update Background Requested Action The Economic Development Commission will review past efforts to review the Arden Hills Sign Code and discuss the current zoning code update project underway. Background As representatives of the business and resident community in Arden Hills, the review of the Chapter 12 – Sign Code of the City’s Code of Ordinance (Attachment A) had been tasked to the Economic Development Commission by the City Council. The goal of the review was to provide direction for making the sign code more accessible and easier to interpret. At the October 23, 2023 meeting, the EDC started this review and reviewed the sign code for wall signage and discussed ways to improve the language based on previous requests for flexibility. Some takeaways from the discussion were that the sign code should be easily understood by business owners and be equitable to businesses. There was interest shown to base permitted wall sign area on the size of the building and the wall area. Commission members suggested that the sign code could be made simpler and more approachable for businesses. At the February 28, 2024 meeting, the EDC reviewed the sign code for freestanding signage. Some takeaways were that the list of uses permitted to utilize dynamic signage could be expanded based on location and proximity to residential lots, the size of a second freestanding sign on a lot with two frontages could be increased, and sign copy area could be based on the size of the associated building. At the March 27, 2024 EDC meeting, the EDC approved a sign code review summary document with amendments to be shared with the Planning Commission. This summary document is provided as Attachment B. The summary document was presented to the Planning Commission at their June 5, 2024 meeting by staff with several EDC members in attendance. In 2024, HKGi was selected by the City of Arden Hills to complete an update to the existing Zoning and Subdivision ordinances. This work involves the Planning Commission and the City Page 2 of 2 Council most directly, with the Planning Commission providing a technical review of the proposed changes and recommendations to the City Council. At their April 9, 2025 meeting, the Planning Commission received a presentation from the consultants from HKGi, who shared that currently the Arden Hills Sign Code is separate from the Zoning Code. However, with the code update, they recommend including the sign code in the development standards chapter of the zoning code for easier administration. Following the presentation, staff shared the EDC’s sign code review summary document for consideration in the recommended updates. Staff will provide an overview of the EDC’s recent efforts to review the Sign Code and review the current Sign Code with members new to the EDC. Next Steps At the June EDC meeting, staff will provide an overview of the Zoning Code as it relates to the business community in Arden Hills. Staff will also share relevant updates from the consultants from HKGi for the EDC to discuss and offer feedback. Attachment Attachment A – Arden Hills Sign Code Attachment B – EDC Sign Code Review Summary Document Attachment C – Arden Hills Zoning Map Chapter 12 - Sign Code Section 1200 - Purpose and Intent 1200.01 Recitals. This Chapter shall be known, cited and referred to as the Arden Hills Sign Code, except as referred to herein, where it shall be known as "this Chapter." 1200.02 Purpose and Findings. The purpose and findings of this Chapter are as follows: Subd. 1 Purpose. This Sign Code is intended to establish a comprehensive and balanced system of sign control that accommodates the need for a well-maintained, safe, and attractive community, and the need for effective communications, including business identification. It is the intent of these sign regulations, to promote the health, safety, general welfare, aesthetics, and image of the community by regulating signs that are intended to communicate to the public in all areas of the City. It is not the purpose or intent of this Chapter to regulate the message displayed on any sign. The purpose of this Chapter is to authorize: A. Permanent signs which establish a high standard of aesthetics and are appropriate for the planned character in each sign district as established in Section 1240; B. Signs which are compatible with their surroundings; C. Signs which are designed, constructed, installed and maintained in a manner that does not adversely impact public safety or create a hazard to motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists; D. Signs that are proportioned to the scale of, and are architecturally compatible with, principal structures; E. Permanent signs which give preference to the on-premise owner or occupant; F. Temporary commercial signs and advertising displays which provide an opportunity to advertise while restricting signs that create visual clutter and hazards at public right-of-way intersections; G. Minimize adverse effects on nearby property; and, H. Provide for fair and consistent enforcement of the sign regulations set forth herein under the authority of the City. Subd. 2 Findings. The City finds it is necessary for the promotion and preservation of the public health, safety, welfare, and aesthetics of the community to control the construction, location, size, and maintenance of signs. Further, the City finds: A. Permanent and temporary signs have a direct impact on and relationship to the image and aesthetic of the community; B. The manner of installation, location and maintenance of signs affects the public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the community; C. An opportunity for viable identification of community businesses, residences, and institutions must be established; D. The safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and other users of public streets and property is affected by the number, size, location and appearance of signs that create a hazard for drivers, particularly from dynamic display signs; E. Installation of signs suspended from, projecting over, or placed on the tops of buildings, walks or other structures may constitute a hazard during periods of high winds and an obstacle to effective fire-fighting and other emergency service; F. Uncontrolled and unlimited signs and sign types, particularly dynamic display signs, adversely impact the image and aesthetic attractiveness of the community and thereby undermine economic value and growth; G. Uncontrolled and unlimited signs, particularly temporary signs which are commonly located within or adjacent to public right-of-way or are located at driveway/street intersections, result in roadside clutter and obstruction of views of oncoming traffic. This creates a hazard to drivers and pedestrians and also adversely impacts a logical flow of information; H. Commercial signs are generally incompatible with residential uses and should be strictly limited in residential zoning districts; and I. The right to express noncommercial opinions in any zoning district must be protected, subject to reasonable restrictions on size, height, location and number. 1200.03 Scope of Regulations. The sign regulations set forth in this Chapter shall apply to all structures and all land uses. This Chapter describes the signage standards for the nine sign districts that overlay the zoning districts of the City. Specific additional regulations are established for signs which are unique in purpose and not easily addressed by district regulations. No person, property owner, lessee shall place, erect, alter, modify, enhance or change in any way a sign that does not conform to the requirements of this Chapter and all other applicable regulations. 1200.04 Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phase, or other part of this Chapter is for any reason held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portion of this Chapter. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted the Chapter in each section, subsection, sentence, or phase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subjections, sentences, clauses, or phrases are declared invalid. Section 1210 - Definitions 1210.01 Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicated a different meaning: · Auxiliary sign. A sign that provides direction for internal circulation, parking or entry, restrictions on parking, security warnings, or other similar primarily noncommercial signs that are directed at people that are entering, exiting, or on a particular property. Auxiliary signs do not include outdoor advertising signs. · Banner. Any temporary sign of lightweight fabric or similar material mounted to a pole or a building at one (1) or more edges. · Billboard. See "Outdoor advertising sign." · Canopy/awning sign. A message or logo on an awning or canopy which is constructed according to the requirements of the building code, is an integral part of the building, and is consistent with the architecture and design of the building. · Clear vision area. The clear vision area shall be an area within a triangle that is measured along the edge of the driving surface of the road starting at the intersection of two roads (public or private) and extending thirty (30) feet in each direction from the intersection and then a line connecting these two end points. · Changeable message sign. A message that is not permanently attached to the sign face but is not a dynamic display. The message is changed manually. · Commercial message sign. Any message which identifies a business or product or promotes the sale of any product or service. · Dynamic Display. Any characteristics of a sign that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign structure itself, or any other component of the sign. This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes, but is not limited to, any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking, projecting, or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, "digital ink," or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays. · Freestanding sign. A self-supporting sign usually held up by uprights placed in the ground or any other base that is anchored to the ground. · Grand opening. Commencement of operation of a new business. For purposes of the ordinance, a grand opening is considered to occur if there is a business name change or change in type of business or activity. · Graphic sign. A sculpture attached to or sign painted directly on a wall that is primarily symbolic or representational in nature and not alpha or numeric in content or copy. · Illuminated sign. Any sign, which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines which is illuminated by an artificial light source. · Incidental sign. Any sign that is generally not understandable or readable from property other than where the sign is located, such as from adjacent property or a public street, as determined by the City Administrator of their designee. · Lighting, backlit. An illuminated sign where the light source which illuminates the wall behind individual sign letters is hidden from view. The sign letters are opaque and appear as a silhouette against the lighted surface. · Lighting, external. The sign is illuminated by means of external light fixtures directed at the sign. · Lighting, internal. An illuminated sign having the source of illumination located inside a translucent panel and is not directly visible. · Menu Board Sign. A freestanding exterior sign adjacent to the drive-through lane at a drive-through facility that identifies items for sale at the facility and their associated prices for customers. The menu board must comply with §1240.02 of this chapter. · Monument sign. A freestanding sign with its sign face mounted on the ground or mounted on a base at least as wide as the sign and is less than sixteen (16) feet in height. · On-premise sign. A sign whose message is related to the property or the activity and use occurring on the property on which the sign is located. On-premise signs include multi-tenant identification signs that may advertise tenants on different property provided such tenants are within the same approved PUD and parking is shared between properties. · Outdoor advertising sign. Any sign that is located outdoors and that advertises a product, business, service, event, or any other matter that is not available, or does not take place, on the same premises as the sign. Outdoor advertising signs are commonly called billboards. An outdoor advertising sign does not include a sign that is not readily understandable or readable from property other than where the sign is located, such as from adjacent property or a public street, as determined by the City Administrator or their designee. · Permanent sign. Any sign that is not temporary. · Pole sign. A freestanding sign that is elevated off the ground by one or more poles. · Portable sign. A temporary sign with or without copy and graphic that is designed or intended to be moved or transported but not including banner signs. Examples of portable signs include, but are not limited to: A-frame or T-frame signs, sandwich signs; signs designed to be transported by trailer or on wheels; and signs mounted on a vehicle for advertising purposes, except signs identifying a business when the vehicle is being used in the normal day-to-day operation of that business. A sign may be a portable sign even if it has wheels removed, was designed without wheels, or is attached to the ground, a structure, or other sign. · Projecting sign. A sign, other than a wall sign, that is attached to and projects more than eighteen (18) inches from the building façade. · Public sign. A traffic control sign in Minnesota State Statutes; any identification sign installed in a public park by a public authority; and any other identification, regulatory, or warning sign approved by the City Council for installation on public land. · Re-facing. The process of replacing the sign copy, message, logo, or graphic on a sign without altering or moving the structure to which the sign face is attached. · Roof sign. A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or on a parapet wall that is above the roof line. · Rotating sign. A sign or a portion of a sign which moves in a rotating oscillating or similar manner other than changing signs. · Service area canopy. Open air roof-like structure that projects from the wall of a building or is freestanding and is for the purpose of shielding equipment and/or people from the elements; is often found covering service or gasoline station islands. · Sign. Any written message, pictorial presentation, number, illustration, decoration, banner or other device that is used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise or otherwise make anything known. For purpose of maintenance or removal, the term "sign" shall also include frames and support structures. · Sign area. The area in square feet of smallest rectangle, circle, or triangle that contains the sign copy. · Sign height. The distance measured perpendicular from the highest point of the sign structure to the average elevation of the street used for access to the property. · Temporary sign. A sign designed to be displayed for a limited period of time that is not permanently affixed to the land or to a structure. · Wall sign. A sign attached to or erected against an exterior wall surface of a building or structure. · Window sign. A sign mounted inside of a building within the window area that is applied or fastened to the window in a manner that is intended to be viewed from outside the building. Section 1220 - Permit and Review Process 1220.01 Permit Required. Except for those signs listed in Section 1230.01, no sign shall be erected, altered, reconstructed, maintained, moved, or enhanced in the City without obtaining a sign permit from the City. The content of the message or speech displayed on the sign shall not be considered when approving or denying a sign permit; however, the content must be submitted to evaluate the sign copy area and to restrict permanent off-premise signs. A separate sign application shall be required for each sign. 1220.02 Application Process. An application for a sign permit shall be on the City's official sign application. Unless waived by the City Administrator or their designee, each application shall contain the following information or it shall be considered incomplete: Subd. 1 Name, signature, address, and phone number of the property owner (required). Subd. 2 Name, signature, address, and phone number of the applicant (if different than the property owner). Subd. 3 Parcel ID of the property. Subd. 4 A complete set of plans drawn to scale showing the necessary elevations, setbacks, size, and details to fully and clearly represent the construction and place of the signs(s). Subd. 5 Type of sign (wall, monument, pole, etc.). Subd. 6 Certification by the applicant(s) indicating the application complies with all requirements of this Chapter. Subd. 7 A separate building permit may also be required from the Building Official for signs involving new or modified sign structures. Subd. 8 If the applicant is not the property owner, the applicant shall obtain written permission from the property owner and provide a copy to the City prior to approval of the permit. 1220.03 Review Process. The City Administrator or their designee shall approve or deny the sign permit application in an expedited manner, no more that thirty (30) days from the receipt of the completed application, including applicable fees. All permits not reviewed within thirty (30) days shall be deemed approved. Applicants shall be notified in writing if the application is denied, including the reasons for denial. 1220.04 Appeals Process. Appeals shall be made to the Planning Commission in writing within fifteen (15) days of the confirmed delivery of the denial letter for the sign permit application. The Planning Commission shall hold a hearing as soon as practicable but not more than forty-five (45) days after confirmed receipt of the appeal to review the appeal and make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council shall review the Planning Commission's recommendation as soon as practicable but not more than forty-five (45) days after the Planning Commission's recommendation. 1220.05 Fees. Sign permit fees and the impoundment fee shall be set by the City Council by ordinance on an annual basis. 1220.06 Inspection & Enforcement. Subd. 1 Inspection Authority. All signs shall be subject to inspection by the City Administrator or their designee, who is hereby authorized to enter upon any property of premise to ascertain whether the provisions of this Chapter are being obeyed. Such entrance shall be made during business hours unless an emergency exists. Subd. 2 Signs in Disrepair. The City Administrator or their designee may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the maintenance provisions of this ordinance. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the City Council may declare the sign to be a public nuisance, impound it, and assess the cost of removal to the sign owner or the sign owner's agent. Subd. 3 Impoundment of Signs on Public Property or Within Public Right-of-way. The City Administrator or their designee may, at any time and without notice, impound signs that have been installed on public property, within a public right-of way, or within a public easement that are in violation of this Chapter. The sign owner or their agent may retrieve an impounded sign subject to the following rules: A. Payment of an impoundment release fee. Any subsequent impoundment(s), within one calendar year, for a particular property or sign owner will require payment of double the initial impoundment release fee. B. Any impounded sign may be retrieved from the impound area within three (3) business days of the impoundment or the City Administrator or their designee may dispose of it. The impound area can be located by contacting City Hall. Any cost incurred by the City for disposal of an impounded sign may be assessed to the sign owner or the sign owner's agent. C. The City shall have no obligation to notify a property owner that it has impounded a sign. D. The City shall not be held liable for any damage to an impounded sign. Section 1230 - Exempt and Prohibited Signs 1230.01 Exemptions. All signs shall require an approved sign permit prior to placement except for the signs specifically noted in this section. Exempted signs shall not reduce the permitted signage for a property. These exemptions shall not relieve the owner of the sign from the responsibility of its maintenance and its compliance with the provisions of this Chapter or any other law or ordinance regulating the same. Subd. 1 Government Signs. All governmental signs, including but not limited to traffic control and other regulatory purpose signs, street signs, identification signs, informational signs, danger signs and railroad crossing signs. Subd. 2 Non-commercial Signs in an Election Year. In years where a federal, state or local government election is conducted within the city, non-commercial signs may be posted no more than 70 days prior to that election. These non- commercial signs shall be placed in accordance with Section 1230.02 and 1250.03 Subd 2, 3, and 4. Those responsible for posting the signs shall remove any signs within 10 days following an election. Subd. 3 Address Signs. Address identification not exceeding four (4) square feet in area for each structure or portion of a structure with an assigned address. Street identification numbers are required in all sign districts and should be clearly visible from the street. Subd. 4 Exempt Residential Signs. Properties in Sign Districts 1 and 3 shall be allowed up to eight (8) square feet of signage provided that a single sign is no larger than six (6) square feet, the signs are not illuminated, and freestanding signs are at least five (5) feet from any property line. Subd. 5 Temporary Off-premise Signs. Temporary off-premise signs as designated in Section 1250.03. Subd. 6 Portable Signs. Portable A-frame, T-frame, sandwich , or other similar signs that do not exceed six (6) square feet in size, are not illuminated, are located within fifteen (15) feet of the primary entrance to a building, and are displayed only during the hours of business operation. No more than two of these signs shall be in place at any given time. Subd. 7 Incidental Signs. Incidental signs or signs within a building provided that the sign is not readily visible from the public right-of-way, adjacent properties, and are not illuminated. Subd. 8 Window Signs. Window signs that are inside of a building shall not require a permit but shall be in accordance with Section 1240.02 Table 1. Subd. 9 Non-commercial Signs. Any sign display or device allowed under this section may contain, in lieu of other copy, any otherwise lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit, or to a commodity service for sale, and that complies with the size, height and lighting requirements of this Chapter. (revised 1/27/2020) 1230.02 Prohibited Signs. The following signs shall be prohibited in all sign districts: Subd. 1 Signs with Moving, Swinging, Revolving, or Rotating parts. Subd. 2 Dynamic Display Signs. Dynamic display signs shall be prohibited, except as provided in section 1240.04 of this code section. Subd. 3 Roof Signs. Subd. 4 Projecting signs. Subd. 5 Noncompliant Signs. Any sign not constructed, wired, assembled, attached or supported in conformance with applicable building or other codes and regulations; Subd. 6 Signs in the Right-of-way. Signs in the public right-of-way except as provided for in Section 1250.03, by Minnesota Statutes, or allowed by the agency regulating the right-of-way; Subd. 7 Signs attached to public utility poles, trees, street signs, stoplights, or fences; Subd. 8 Permanent outdoor advertising sign, including billboards; Subd. 9 Portable Signs. Portable signs shall be prohibited, except for portable A-frame, T-frame, sandwich, or other similar signs that do not exceed six (6) square feet in size. Subd. 10 Signs in the Clear Vision Area. Subd. 11 Signs Imitating Traffic Control Signs. Signs which are designed to resemble official traffic signs except signs which are used to control traffic on private property; Subd. 11 Any sign, sign type, sign lighting, or sign technology not specifically listed as permitted in this Chapter shall be prohibited. Section 1240 - General Sign Regulations 1240.01 Regulation by Sign District. For the purpose of regulating signs, the following nine sign districts are adopted: District Description District Description 1 All residential properties zoned R-1 or R-2. 2 All non-residential uses in the R-1 through R-4 zoning districts. 3 All residential properties zoned R-3 and R-4. 4 All properties fronting on County Road E east of Highway 51 except for those properties with frontage on Lexington Avenue. 5 All properties fronting on Lexington Avenue South of Interstate 694. 6 All properties zoned for commercial or industrial use fronting on Lexington Avenue north of Interstate 694, properties along Highway 96, and properties located in the B-1 zoning district. 7 All properties in the I-Flex, Gateway Business, or other commercial or industrial district without frontage on a roadway designated above. 8 All properties zoned Neighborhood Business. 9 The parts of the TCAAP area not fronting on Highway 96. 1240.02 Permitted Sign Type, Area, Height, and Illumination by Sign District. All signs shall conform to the applicable standards in Table One: Sign Standards by Sign District. The following provisions shall also apply: Subd. 1 Wall Sign. Wall signs shall not extend more than eighteen (18) inches from the wall they are attached to. Subd. 2 Freestanding Pole or Monument Signs. A. No more than one freestanding sign shall be permitted on any site except in cases where properties front more than one public street. For properties that front more than one public street, an additional freestanding sign may be permitted for each street front provided that each additional freestanding sign does not exceed half the size of the maximum sign area allowed for a freestanding sign in the underlying sign district. B. The sign area of a freestanding sign shall only be calculated using one side of the sign. If the two sides are different sizes, the larger side shall be used for determining sign area. C. Freestanding signs in Sign Districts 4 and 5 shall be monument type ground signs with the copy resting on and supported by a solid base of brick or rock-faced block in a color similar to or complimentary to the main structure on the site. The material of the base must extend at least one-half way up the sides of the sign face. D. Freestanding signs shall be located at least five (5) feet from any property line and shall not project over the property line. However, if the bottom edge of the sign copy is not located at least ten (10) feet above the ground with supports that do not encroach on the clear vision area of approaching traffic, the sign shall be located to preserve the clear vision area. E. The total area of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 1.5 times the permitted sign copy area of a freestanding sign. The total sign area includes all sign copy, graphics, decorative features, borders, and structural supports except for the poles. Subd. 3 Service Area Canopy. Each edge of a service area canopy facing a street is permitted twenty-five (25) square feet of sign area in addition to all other sign area permitted on the site. Such signage may be illuminated externally, internally, or backlit, but no other part of the face of the canopy shall be illuminated. Subd. 4 Awnings and Canopies. No part of an awning or sun canopy shall be less than eight (8) feet or greater than twelve (12) feet above grade. Any sign area on the awning, if illuminated, will be deducted from the permitted wall sign area. The fabric or material used for the awning or canopy must be opaque and no internal illumination is permitted. Table 1240.02 - Sign Standards by Sign District available in PDF, click HERE Subd. 5 Adult Use Signs. In addition to this Chapter, all adult use oriented signs shall comply with the sign requirements in the Adult Use Ordinance. Where any provisions of this Chapter conflict with the Adult Use Ordinance, the provision that is more stringent shall be applied. 1240.03 Manual Changeable Message Sign. No more than thirty-five (35) percent of the actual sign area of a permitted sign in a non-residential sign district shall be capable of displaying manually changing messages. The remainder of the sign area shall not have the capability to change messages even if not used. Manual changing message signs shall not include dynamic displays. 1240.04 Menu Board Signs All Menu Board Signs for fast food restaurant uses. Drive-through menu board sign are allowed for fast food restaurant uses provided the requirements in this section are met. Subd. 1. Location: All drive-through menu board signs shall be single sided and located adjacent to the drive-through lane and shall not be located in any required setback. Signs may be affixed to the building. Subd. 2. Height: A drive-through menu board sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet above grade in height. Subd. 3. Size: A drive-through menu board sign shall not exceed forty (40) square feet. Subd. 4. Number: Up to two drive-through menu board signs are permitted per drive-through lane. The total surface area of the two signs shall not exceed forty (40) square feet. Subd. 5. A Drive-through menu board signs shall comply with the following standards: A. The images, colors, and text may not change more than five (5) times per day; B. All images, colors, and text shall be static with no flashing, scrolling, or animation; and C. At any time the business or drive-through is closed to the public, any Drive- through menu board sign shall be turned off until the business or drive-through is open to the public. D. Signs with speakers or intercoms shall be designed and located in a manner to direct noise away from adjoining properties. Speaker noise shall not be audible to adjacent residential properties. E. The sign(s) shall not be located as to impair the vision of the driver of a vehicle traveling either into, out of, or through the drive-through lane. Section 1250 - Special Provisions 1250.01 Allocation of Permanent Signs on Multi-Tenant Developments and Sites. In multi-tenant buildings or sites, the permitted sign area and sign types, except for freestanding signs, may be installed by each individual business establishment that has exclusive use of some portion of the street or otherwise primary level of the building and direct access to the outside. Tenants located on the street or otherwise primary level in a center with a common mall or atrium shall be considered to have direct access to the outside for the purpose of this section. The management and ownership of any business establishment proposing to install signage must be separate and distinct from the management and ownership of any other establishment in the same building or on the same building lot. Each establishment must be separated from all other establishments by demising walls [as per the International Building Code] having no openings or passages. Subd. 1 Multi-tenant Buildings and Properties Sign Allocation. Signage for establishments occupying a multi-tenant building or site but not located on the street or primary level of the building must be provided from the allocation of sign area and type to the occupants of the street or primary level of the building as determined by the property owner. Subd. 2 Freestanding Signs on Multi-tenant Buildings and Properties. For freestanding signs, a multi-tenant parcel shall be considered one parcel and freestanding signs shall be permitted in accordance with Section 1240.02 Table 1. In the case of multiple tenant sites, the permitted freestanding sign area shall be allocated by the property owner among its tenants. 1250.02 Temporary On-premise Signs. Except as provided for in 1250.03, all other temporary signs shall require an approved sign permit prior to placing the sign and shall conform to the following: Subd. 1 Temporary Sign Permit Length. Temporary signs, including portable signs, streamers, pennants, banners, balloons, inflatables or other similar object with a commercial message, may be displayed on three (3) occasions per calendar year with a maximum of ten (10) days for each occasion. The three (3) occasions may be used consecutively with one permit. Temporary sign permits are nontransferable to other properties or establishments on the same property. Subd. 2 Single occupant parcels. A. No more than one permitted temporary sign shall be permitted at any given time. The area of the temporary signage shall not exceed one half of the permitted sign area as allowed in Section 1240.02 Table 1 for a particular sign type in the underlying sign district; B. Freestanding temporary signs shall only be permitted in districts where freestanding signs are permitted as allowed in Section 1240.02 Table 1. If a conforming freestanding sign is already in place, the temporary freestanding sign shall be attached to or near to the existing freestanding sign; Subd. 3 Multi-tenant parcels. A. Each individual business establishment that has exclusive use of some portion of the street or otherwise primary level of the building and direct access to the outside qualifies for the temporary signs permitted in Section 1250.02 Subd 1. Sign permits shall not be transferrable to other business establishments. B. Temporary wall signage may be permitted for each individual business establishment that has exclusive use of some portion of the street or otherwise primary level of the building and direct access to the outside. The total temporary wall sign area for each tenant shall not exceed one half of the permitted permanent wall sign area as allowed in Section 1240.02 Table 1. Each business shall not have more than one wall or freestanding temporary sign at a time. C. One temporary freestanding sign may be permitted for each individual business establishment that has exclusive use of some portion of the street or otherwise primary level of the building and direct access to the outside. The total area of all temporary freestanding signage for the parcel shall not exceed one half of the permitted area of permanent freestanding signage for the parcel as allowed in Section 1240.02 Table 1. The total permitted temporary freestanding sign area shall be allocated by the property owner or their designee among its tenants. Subd. 4 Grand Openings. New businesses with grand openings are eligible for one additional temporary sign permit of any type permitted in the underlying sign district with an approved permit. The sign may be in place for up to thirty (30) days provided all other requirements in this section are met and the required permits are obtained. This eligibility shall expire six months after the business opens. Subd. 5 Lease or Vacant Space. Buildings or parcels with space for sale or lease may obtain a temporary sign permit for one temporary wall or monument sign that does not expire until seven (7) days after the building or parcel is leased or sold. A wall sign shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in size and shall be used in place of a permanent wall sign. A freestanding sign shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet in size and shall be attached or immediately adjacent to an exiting freestanding sign. All other provisions in this section 1350.02 shall apply. Subd. 6 Temporary Sign Height. A temporary sign shall not exceed the height limits listed in Section 1240.02 Table 1 for a permanent sign of a particular sign type in a given district, including inflatable signs and balloons. Subd. 7 Sign Installation. Temporary signs shall be secured and well-constructed so as not to create a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles. Subd. 8 Illumination. A temporary sign shall not be illuminated. Subd. 9 Location. The permitted location of all temporary signs are subject to change as determined by the City Administrator of their designee in order to protect the public health, safety, welfare, and aesthetics. Subd. 10 Mounds View, Bethel University, and Northwestern College Banner Signs. Temporary banner signs for athletic fields at Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College shall be exempt from the provisions of this section and shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 1250.04. 1250.03 Temporary Off-premise Signs. Each residential property is allowed up to five (5) freestanding, temporary, off-premise signs in the city right-of-way or on private property provided the signs meet the standards of this section: (revised 1/27/2020) Subd. 1 Sign Number Limit. Signs shall be four (4) square feet or less in size, and less than four (4) feet high; A. Signs shall be non-illuminated; B. Signs shall be within one mile of the property for which the signs are advertising (this provision does not preempt the sign regulations for neighboring communities); C. Signs shall be displayed no more than three consecutive days in any seven day period. Subd. 2 Permission. The sign owner shall obtain permission from the property owner to place a sign on their property or on property that shares a property line with the adjoining right-of-way where the sign is located. The sign owner shall obtain permission from the property owner on which the sign is placed. The property owner may withdraw that permission at any time. A. Failure to obtain permission may result in removal of the sign. B. Sign(s) are prohibited on land owned by the city, county, federal government and school district(s). Subd. 3 Right-of-way Regulatory Authority. Sign(s) placed within city right-of-way, shall not be placed within five (5) feet of the edge of the roadway pavement or curb. Exception. If the five (5) foot distance places the sign on a trail or sidewalk surface then the signage shall be placed on the dwelling side of the sidewalk. A. Sign(s) placed in Ramsey County or State of Minnesota right-of-way shall be subject to Ramsey County and State of Minnesota regulations. B. Failure to obtain permission from the appropriate agency may result in removal of the sign. Subd. 4 Disclaimer. The City of Arden Hills shall not be responsible for damage to any signs placed in the right-of-way. 1250.04 Temporary Banner Signs for Athletic Fields at Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College. Athletic fields at Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College may be permitted to have temporary banner signs attached to the fences of their athletic fields provided that such signage faces the field of play so that the impact of the signage is directed only to those utilizing the field or watching the sporting event, and not surrounding property owners. In addition, to the greatest extent possible such signage shall not obstruct sightlines to the athletic field for those watching the sporting event from the bleachers or other designated viewing areas. The content of temporary banner signage shall comply with the sponsorship sign regulations as established by Mounds View High School, Bethel University, or Northwestern College for their respective athletic fields. The City Administrator or Administrator's designee shall determine if the signage is visible from a public roadway or from property outside of Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College. If found to be visible, the signs shall comply with the following size limitations and shall follow the sign permit process as described below: Subd. 1 Individual Sign Area. Temporary banner signs shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet each. Subd. 2 Total Signage Area. The temporary banner sign shall not exceed a massing of over nine hundred and sixty (960) square feet in one area or a total of two thousand (2000) square feet. Subd. 3 Time Limit. Temporary banner sign shall not be displayed for more than ninety (90) consecutive days or more than one hundred and eighty (180) days during the calendar year. Subd. 4 Permit Requirements. Sign permits shall not be required for individual banner signs but shall be required where a new group massing of signage is requested. Subd. 5 Compliance. The applicant shall demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this section (including but not limited to: the dimensions of individual banner signs, the dimensions of that group of banner signs, and the total square feet of temporary banner signs). 1250.05 Permanent Scoreboard Signs for Athletic Fields at Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College. Athletic fields at Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College may be permitted to have permanent scoreboard signage at their athletic fields that is clearly secondary to the overall appearance of the scoreboard. Such signage shall face the field of play so that the impact of the signage is directed only to those utilizing the field or watching the sporting event, and not surrounding property owners. The content of scoreboard signage shall comply with the sponsorship sign regulations as established by Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College, for their respective athletic fields. The City Administrator or the Administrator's designee shall determine if the signage is visible from a public roadway or from property outside of Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College. If found to be visible, the signs shall comply with the following size limitations and shall follow the sign permit process as described below: Subd. 1 Sign Area. Scoreboard signage shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total scoreboard area, nor shall any one scoreboard sign exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total scoreboard area. Subd. 2 Sign Permit Required. Since the scoreboard signs are permanent in nature, the applicant shall be required to obtain sign permit approval prior to the installation of any new scoreboard sponsorship signs; at such time the applicant shall demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this section. 1250.06 Permanent Signs for Athletic Fields at Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College. Athletic fields at Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College may be permitted to have permanent signage at their respective athletic fields. Such signage shall be permanent in nature and shall not be lit by a direct lighting source. Signs may be an entrance gate style sign, signage affixed directly to a press box/grandstand, or signage included on the scoreboard. Such signage shall be constructed of durable materials (finished metal, finished wood, plastic). The City Administrator or Administrator's designee shall determine if the signage is visible from a public roadway or from property outside of Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and Northwestern College. If found to be visible, the signs shall comply with the following size limitations and shall follow the sign permit process as described below: Subd. 1 Sign Area. The signage area of entrance gate signs shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet, the signage area of press box/grandstand signage shall not exceed eighty (80) square feet, and scoreboard field naming signage shall not exceed forty (40) percent of the total scoreboard area. Subd. 2 Total Sign Area. The cumulative total of permanent signage shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet. Subd. 3 Sign Permit Required. Since the signage would be permanent in nature, the applicant shall be required to obtain a sign permit approval prior to the installation of any new signage; at such time the applicant shall demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this section. Section 1260 - Sign Standard Adjustments 1260.01 Sign Standard Adjustments. Adjustments to the requirements and standards for the height, number, type, lighting, area, and/or location of a sign or signs established by this Chapter may be approved with a Site Plan Review or a Planned Unit Development process as described for in Section 1320 and 1355 of the Zoning Code. This provision shall not be used to permit dynamic display signage. In order to approve any sign standard adjustment, the following criteria of Subd. 1 or Subd. 2 shall be satisfied, and the necessary criteria of Subd. 3 shall be satisfied: Subd. 1 There are site conditions which require a sign adjustment to allow the sign to be reasonably visible from a street immediately adjacent to the site; Subd. 2 The sign adjustment will allow a sign of exceptional design or a style that will enhance the area or that is more consistent with the architecture and design of the site; Subd. 3 The sign adjustment will not result in a sign that is inconsistent with the purpose of the zoning district in which the property is located or the current land use. Section 1270 - Maintenance Repair 1270.01 Maintenance and Repair. All signs shall be kept in good repair and free from peeling paint, rust, damaged or rotted supports, framework or other material, broken or missing faces or missing letters. Any structure from which a sign has been moved or removed shall be repaired with materials and/or painted or stained to match the existing background. Subd. 1 Sign Permit Not Required. Activities considered normal maintenance and repair and not requiring a sign or building permit shall include activities such as replacing or repairing lamps, ballasts, transformers, trim, sign fasteners, nuts, or washers; painting the pole of freestanding signs; and painting the cabinet of freestanding signs or building signs. Subd. 2 Sign Permit Required. For any sign that required a permit, the following activities shall not be considered normal maintenance and repair a permit shall be required: A. Re-facing a sign, except for the text on a manual changeable message sign. B. Removing the sign for the repair of the cabinet or any part thereof. C. Changes made to a sign's size or illumination, including, but not limited to, height, width, weight, area, adding or removing illumination D Changes in poles, structural supports, bases or shrouds, footings or anchor bolts, moving the sign to a new location, or replacement of the interior or exterior cabinet frame, except the sign face. Subd. 3 Building Permit. A building permit may be required for any signs involving the construction of or changes to a sign structure and/or electrical connections as determined by the Building Official. Section 1280 - Non-Conforming Signs 1280.01 Non-conforming Signs. It is the intent of this Chapter that non-conforming signs shall not be enlarged or expanded, nor be used as grounds for adding other signs or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district. It is further the intent of this Chapter to permit legal non-conforming signs to remain provided that such signs are safe, maintained so as not to be unsightly, and have not been abandoned or removed subject to the following provisions: Subd. 1 Non-conforming Sign Continuance. A legal non-conforming sign may be continued through repair, replacement, restoration, maintenance, or improvement but shall not be expanded or moved to a new location. Subd. 2 Non-conforming Sign Discontinuance. If the use of the non-conforming sign or sign structure is discontinued for a period of one (1) year, the sign or sign structure shall not be reconstructed or used except in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter. Subd. 3 Non-conforming Sign Damaged or Destroyed. Should such non-conforming sign or sign structure be damaged or destroyed by any means to an extent greater than fifty (50) percent of its market value or structure and all required permits for its reconstruction have not been applied for within one-hundred eighty (180) days of when the sign or sign structure was damaged, it shall not be reconstructed or used except in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter. Subd. 4 Sign Regulation Conformance. Should such sign or sign structure be permanently moved for any reason for any distance, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the sign district in which it is located after it is moved. Subd. 5 Loss of Non-conforming Land Use. An existing sign devoted to a use not permitted by the Section 1320, Zoning Ordinance, in the zoning district in which it is located shall not be enlarged, expanded or moved except in changing the sign to a sign permitted in the sign district in which it is located. Subd. 6 Loss of Non-conforming Status. When a building or use loses its nonconforming status, all signs devoted to the structure or use shall be removed and all signs painted directly on the structure shall be repainted in a neutral color or a color which will harmonize with the structure. Economic Development Commission Sign Code Review Comment Summary Sign Code - Recommendations o Base sign districts on zoning district. Sign districts could be combined to be simpler. Wall Signage - Recommendations o Base the maximum permitted wall sign copy area on a percentage of the proposed building elevation. o If percentage of the proposed building elevation is used to calculate signage, set a minimum permitted sign copy area to ensure smaller buildings are still permitted sufficient sign copy area. o Base the maximum permitted wall sign copy area on building footprint square footage. Freestanding Signage - Recommendations o Base the maximum permitted sign copy area and sign area on building square footage. o For a property with two street frontages, permit two monument signs with the same or a similar square footage. o Review permitted sign lighting by sign district. Dynamic Display Signs - Recommendations o Permit dynamic display signage for other uses in addition to drive thru, restaurant. o Regulate dynamic display sign brightness with the intent to minimize impact to residential uses. Colored lighting - Recommendations o Incorporate colored lighting into the sign code. STOWE AVE LA K E V A L E N T I N E R D RED FOX RD GREY FOX RD INGERSON RD RO U N D L A K E R D W A M B L E D R SIE M S C T SN E L L I N G A V E N COLLEEN AVE GLEN PAUL AVE TILLER LN HAML I N E VENUS AVE THOM DR ARDEN VIEW DR GL E N A R D E N R D C H A T H A M A V E AMBLE RD NOBLE RD GRAMSIE RD ARDEN PL GRANT RD OAK AVE EDGEWATER AVE JERROLD AVE DU N L A P S T N HARRIET AVE FLORAL DR W GLENVIEW AVE KARTH LAKE DR GATEWA Y B L V D WYNCRE S T CARLTON DR FOREST L N PR I O R A V E N CUMMINGS PARK DR ROYAL LN KATIE LN PI N E T R E E D R FA I R V I E W A V E N RID G E W O O D R D CRYSTAL AVE PL E A S A N T DR ARDEN OAKSDR V A L E N T I N E A V E BEN T O N W A Y INDIAN OAKS TRL SKILES L N B R I A R BECKMAN AVE LAMETTI LN MCCRAC K E N L N KE I T H S O N D R AS B U R Y AV E N NURSERY HILL LN BUSSARD CT DAWN CIR W JA M E S A V E JANET CT CA N N O N GLENHILL RD NO R M A A V E ARDENVIEWCT ROY KATIE CT G L E N A R D E N C T RID G E W O O D C T K A R T H L A K E C I R GA L E C I R MCCLUNG DR W Y N C R E S T L N SA N D E E N R D PARKSHORE DR EIDE CIR NO R T H - WO O D S D R NURSERY HILL CT CU M M I N G S L N V A L E N T I N E C T INGERSO N C T COLLEEN CT GL E N V I E W CT HUNT E R S CT SH O R E L I N E LN PA S C A L AV E N LA K E LN N CONNEL L Y AVE THOM CT AMB L E CIR CH A T H A M CT CO L L E E N CIR RO L L I N G HI L L S R D ARDEN OAKS CT NO R M A CI R I N D I A N P L EDGEWATER AVE NORMAAVE TILLER LN S N E L L I N G A V E N DU N L A P S T N ARDEN P L SKILES L N F A I R V I E W A V E N HA M L I N E A V E N GLENHILL RD WYN R I D G E PLEASANT CIR ARDEN INDIAN OAKS CT JA M E S C I R DE L L V I E W AV E DE L L V I E W AV E DE L L W O O D ST GATEWAY CT VALENTINE CREST RD BRUEBER R Y LN BRIARKNOLL CIR DE L L W O O D AV E LA M E T T I CIR WA L D E N PL WEDGEWOODCIR PRIO R AVE INDIAN OAKS CIR CH A T H A M CIR L A K E J O H A N N A B LV D LA K E J O H A N N A B L V D RIDG E EDGEWATER AVE FA I R V I E W AV E N FE R N W O O D S T SN E L L I N G A V E N SH O R E L I N E LN KATIE LN COUNTY ROAD D W SH O R E W O O D DR LAKE LN COUNTY ROAD E W LAKEJO H A N N A BLVD GLEN PAUL AVE CL E V E L A N D A V E N N E W B R I G H T O N R D NE W B R I G H T O N R D HUDSON RD THOM D R CL E V E L A N D A V E N BR I G H T O N WA Y NE W B R I G H T O N R D IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 W COUNTY ROAD E2 W COUNTY ROAD E 2 W LAKEVIE W C T C H A T H A M A V E SIE M S C T ARDEN PL GLE N ARDENRD O L D S N E L L I N G AR D E N OA K S D R SN E L L I N G A V E N OL D H I G H W A Y 1 0 OLD S N E L L I N G VENUS AVE IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 W LAKE VALENTI N E R D IN T E R S T A T E 3 5 W ROUND LA K E R D W OL D H I G H W A Y 1 0 LAKE S H O R E P L INTERSTATE 694 INTERSTAT E 6 9 4 HI G H W A Y 1 0 COUNTY ROAD 96 W COUNTY ROAD 96 W COUNTY ROAD I W COUNTY ROAD I W LE X I N G T O N A V E N LE X I N G T O N A V E N KNOL L D R VI S T A C T DAWN CIR E COLLEEN A V E A R DE N V I E W DR COUNTY ROAD F W IN N O V A T I O N W A Y ( P r i v a t e ) FE R N W O O D S T PLEASANT DR AM B L E D R COUNTY ROAD 96 W LE X I N G T O N A V E N LE X I N G T O N A V E N DR CT BOSTON SCIENTIFIC DR (Private) COUNTY ROAD E W LE X I N G T O N A V E N BEN T O N W A Y AVE INGERSON RD AV E N WO O D R D COUNTY ROAD E HA M L I N E A V E N HA M L I N E A V E N P r i v ate KAT I E L N KEITHSON DR AL H I L L S D R Lake Johanna Round Lake Valentine Lake Lake Josephine Karth Lake Sunfish Lake Little Lake Johanna Rice Creek The zoning district designations represented on this map correspond to the City of Arden Hills official Zoning Map. Questions concerning the Zoning Map should be directed to City Hall. Zoning designations are subject to change. Please refer to the Zoning Code for complete information. Adopted: April 12, 1993Printed: December 15, 2022 Zoning Map ¯0 10.5 Miles TRC C - Civic TRC CC - Campus Commercial TRC FO - Flex Office TRC RMU - Retail Mixed Use TRC NR-1 - Residential TRC NR-2 - Residential TRC NR-3 - Residential TRC NR-4 - Residential TRC OMU - Office Mixed Use TRC OS - Open Space TRC TC-1 - Town Center TRC TC-2 - Town Center TRC TC-3 - Town Center TRC - Water Infrastructure R-1 - Single Family Residential District R-2 - Single & Two Family Residential District R-3 - Townhouse & Low Density Multiple Dwelling District R-4 - Multiple Dwelling District B-1 - Limited Business District B-2 - General Business District B-3 - Service Business District B-4 - Retail Business District NB - Neighborhood Business District CC - Civil Center District GB - Gateway Business INST - Institutional District I-1 - Limited Industrial District I-2 - General Industrial District I-FLEX District POS - Parks and Open Space District CD - Conservation District Railroad Water