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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-29-07 Item 7A, Ordinance 384 Sign Moratorium ~ ~HlLLS Request for Council Action 6~e:r~red By ni~i.~t~rig~~d.eni ----=- Council Mtg. Date: - -.. ...- -- --1:2-9:~!':''''-~-:_-~:_---- - -- .... Final Action Needed By: Agenda Item: 7.A Funding Actual Amount: .-....--- ..------------ 19~~h~jTf{p~~9H:}{~-g~_~_~~:;::,::::-:,~~--_:_o_,_:..J-'~\2:\,02Ji2j,.,.".,_...___________._,__._"m_.________________n'...__.."""._._..___________m___'_"..........__..___________n______.__"_,..."_".._,_,,,________________,_,,,,,_..."..._..__________._,_............___.___n_____............".___.____n__________....., 'Adopt' Ordinance #384 to Pla-ce a MoratorIum on the Construction-of New and the Modification of Existing Electronic Changeable Copy Signs,; Electronic Graphic Display Signs, Video Display Signs, Flashing Signs, and Multi-Vision Signs of All Sizes in All Sign Districts for the Period! 'of One Year. . r~I?W,Re~p'~ifi_~-6~_~,~\9_~,:}?7;_;;::':\::",J~~j_:E;r:;1 Staff recommEmcts 'ado"pifng 6rdinancEd;t3'j;J~f~is-proposed~- No.: No.: x 384 Recommendation: Recommendation: Ordinance #384 Publication Summary ~ ~~HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: January 29,2007 Agenda Item 7.A TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Karen Barton, Community DevJ1pment Director James Lehnhoff, City PI anne'll! Sign Moratorium SUBJECT: Request Adopt Ordinance #384 to Place a Moratorium on the Construction of New and the Modification of Existing Electronic Changeable Copy Signs, Electronic Graphic Display Signs, Video Display Signs, Flashing Signs, and Multi-Vision Signs of All Sizes in All Sign Districts for the Period of One Year. Back!!round With the recent introduction of new types of electronic and mechanical signs in the metropolitan area and an increase in questions regarding electronic changeable copy signs, Staff and the City Attorney feel that the City's Sign Code may not fully address the construction or impacts of new or the modification of existing electronic and mechanical signs of all sizes. In order to give the City time to fully study the issue and to determine if any changes are necessary to the Sign Code, Staff is proposing a one year sign moratorium for the following types of signs: . Electronic Changeable Copy Signs; . Electronic Graphic Display Signs; . Video Display Signs; . Flashing Signs; and, . Multi-Vision Signs. The attached moratoriwn, Ordinance #384, includes definitions for each type of sign proposed to be in the moratorium. The proposed sign moratorium would not prohibit the City from issuing permits for those signs not included in the above list. It is important to note that the newly proposed sign moratorium is not the same as the sign moratorium that was put in place from March 2006 to June in 2006. The 2006 sign moratorium was focused on removing content based regulation from the Sign Code. Page 1 of2 Although the moratorium could last up to one year, it is always Staff goal to keep any moratorium as short as feasibly possible. Options I. Approve the Sign Moratorium as submitted with at least three affirmative votes. 2. Approve the Sign Moratorium with changes with at least three affirmative votes. 3. Table the Sign Moratorium additional information or review. Adopting a summary of the Sign Moratorium for publication requires a 4/5 vote of the City Council. Recommendation Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a one year moratorium on the construction of new and the modification of existing electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs, video display signs, flashing signs, and multi-vision signs of all sizes in all sign districts. Attachments . Proposed Sign Moratorium Sign Moratorium Summary for Publication . Page 2 of2 STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF RAMSEY CITY OF ARDEN HILLS ORDINANCE NO. 384 A MORATORIUM RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW AND THE MODIFICATION OF EXISTING ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNS, ELECTRONIC GRAPHIC DISPLAY SIGNS, VIDEO DISPLAY SIGNS, FLASHING SIGNS, AND MULTI-VISION SIGNS IN ALL SIGN DISTRICTS The Arden Hills City Council Ordains: 384.01 Recitals. A. The City of Arden Hills ("City") is in the process of reviewing its regulations regarding the construction of new and the modification of existing electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs, video display signs, flashing signs, and multi-vision signs of all sizes in all sign districts. B. As used herein, "Sign" means any name, identification, description, display, logo, illustration or device which is affixed to, painted, electronically displayed, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, pole, or other surface or piece of land, and which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business. c. As used herein, "electronic changeable copy sign" shall be defined as a sign or portion thereof that displays electronic, non-pictorial, text information in which each alphanumeric character, graphic, or symbol is defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations oflight emitting diodes (LED's), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area. Electronic changeable copy signs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic displays. Electronic changeable copy signs include projected images or messages with these characteristics onto buildings or other objects. D. As used herein, an "electronic graphic display sign" shall be defined as a sign or portion thereof that displays electronic, static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without text information, defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations oflight emitting diodes (LED's), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area where the message change sequence is accomplished immediately or by means of fade, repixalization or dissolve modes. Electronic graphic display signs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic or digital displays. Electronic graphic I 384.03 display signs include projected images or messages with these characteristics onto buildings, billboards, or other objects. E. As used herein, a "video sign" shall be defined as a sign that changes its message or background in a manner or method of display characterized by motion or pictorial imagery, which mayor may not include text and depicts action or a special effect to imitate movement, the presentation of pictorials or graphics displayed in a progression of frames which give the illusion of motion, including but not limited to the illusion of moving objects, moving patterns or bands oflight, or expanding or contracting shapes, not including electronic changeable copy signs. Video display signs include projected images or messages with these characteristics onto buildings or other objects. F. As used herein, a "flashing sign" shall be defined as a directly or indirectly illuminated sign or portion thereof that exhibits changing light or color effect by any means, so as to provide intermittent illumination that changes light intensity in sudden transitory burst and creates the illusion of intermittent flashing light by streaming graphic bursts showing movement, or any mode of lighting which resembles zooming, twinkling, or sparkling. G. As used herein, a "multi-vision sign" shall be defined as any sign composed in whole or in part of a series of vertical or horizontal slats or cylinders that are capable of being rotated at intervals so that partial rotation of the group of slats or cylinders produces a different image and when properly functioning allows on a single sign structure the display at any given time one of two or more images. H. The existing Sign Code regarding electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs, video display signs, flashing signs, and multi-vision signs is incompatible with City goals and may allow undesirable sign types and sizes. I. The City anticipates that there will be additional submittals for constructing new or modifYing existing electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs, video display signs, flashing signs, and multi-vision signs in the City. J. In order to permit the City Council to review and evaluate changes to the City's current sign regulations and to preserve the integrity of the planning process, the Arden Hills City Council hereby determines that a sign moratorium for constructing new or modifying existing electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs, video display signs, flashing signs, and multi-vision signs is necessary in all sign districts. Duration of Moratorium. The sign moratorium will commence on the effective date ofthis ordinance and will continue for one year thereafter unless otherwise terminated or extended by action of the City Council. 2 384.04 Enforcement. The City may enforce any provision of this ordinance by mandamus, injunction, or any other appropriate civil remedy in any court of competent jurisdiction. 384.05 Separability. Every section, provision, or part of this ordinance is declared separable from every other section, provision or part of this ordinance. If any section, provision, or part ofthis ordinance is adjudged to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not invalidate any other section, provision, or part ofthis ordinance. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective the day following its publication or on the day following the publication of an Ordinance Summary approved by the Arden Hills City Council. Adoption Date. Passed by the Arden Hills City Council on this 29h day of January, 2007. STAN HARPSTEAD, MAYOR ATTEST: MICHELLE WOLFE 3 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. 384 A MORATORIUM RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW AND THE MODIFICATION OF EXISTING ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNS, ELECTRONIC GRAPHIC DISPLAY SIGNS, VIDEO DISPLAY SIGNS, FLASHING SIGNS, AND MULTI-VISION SIGNS IN ALL SIGN DISTRICTS On the 29th day of January, 2007, the Arden Hills City Council adopted Ordinance #384, and by five affirmative votes pursuant to Minn. Stat. 9412.191, Subd. 4, directed that a summary of the Ordinance be published. The Ordinance prohibits constructing new or modifying existing electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs, video display signs, flashing signs, and multi-vision signs of all sizes in all sign districts pending a review of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Sign Code, and Zoning Maps. The Sign Moratorium will expire on the 29th day of January, 2008, unless further extended or modified by the City Council. The adoption of Arden Hills Ordinance #384 will become effective the day following publication of the Ordinance Summary. A copy of the Ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular business hours at the office of the City Administrator, 1425 Highway 96, Arden Hills, Minnesota 55112.