6.8. SR 01-20-1998.City of
1
iver
MEMORANDUM
Item # 6_ 8_
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and City Council
Scott Harlicker, Planning Assistan~~'
January 20, 1998
Request by City of Elk River for
Ordinance Amendment Regarding
Changeable Copy Signs, Public
Hearing Case No. OA 97-16
Request
The City of Elk River is initiating this ordinance amendment to establish
regulations regarding changeable copy signs.
Overview
At the November Planning Commission workshop, the Commission asked
staff to draft an ordinance amendment that establishes a frequency at which
how many times the message of a changeable copy sign can change.
Currently there is no limit on how often the message can change.
In researching this issue most cities handled it one of two ways. Either they
did not allow the electronic message board or else it was allowed provided
the sign complied with certain restrictions. All differentiated between the
electronic message signs such as those at the liquor store and the Holiday
Station Store on School Street and a time and temperature sign. In all the
cities researched, an exception was made for time and temperature signs.
The following cities did not allow the electronic message boards:
Apple Valley 0 Plymouth
Burnsville <) Savage
Eden Prairie <) Brooklyn Park
Lakeville 0 Minnetonka
Maple Grove ~ Woodbury
Anoka and Blaine were the two cities that allow electronic message boards.
Anoka allows them in the commercial districts and Blaine requires a
minimum display period of 4 seconds and requires 2700 feet between signs.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to Mayor and City Council/OA 97-16
January 20, 1998
Page 2
Planning Commission Meeting
At the Planning Commission meeting held on December 23rd, no one spoke at
the public hearing. Staff presented the following options to the Commission
for their consideration:
creating a definition for electronic message boards
treating electronic message boards same as other signs
· allowing electronic message boards with restrictions
After discussing the options, the Commission decided to create a definition
for electronic message boards and to allow them with the following three
restrictions:
· A distance of 3500 feet between signs; this is the approximate distance
between the sign at the Northbound liquor store and the Holiday
convenience store at School Street and Freeport Avenue.
· A minimum of one minute display time for messages.
· Electronic message boards would be limited to the C3 (Highway
Commercial) district.
Time and temperature displays and electronic price displays for gas prices
would be exempt from the proposed restrictions.
Under the proposed amendment, the existing signs at the Holiday store,
located at School Street and Freeport Avenue, and the Northbound liquor
store would become legal non-conforming signs with respect to the portion of
the ordinance that establishes a minimum one minute display time for
messages. Both signs would comply with other portions of the proposed
ordinance.
Recommendation
The Planning Commission recommends the City Council approve the
attached Ordinance No. 98-__ creating a definition for electronic message
boards and allowing them with certain restrictions.
\\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\planning\scott\oa9716cc.doc
ORDINANCE 98 -
CITY OF ELK RIVER
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AMENDING
SECTION 900.22 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES
CASE NO. OA 97-16
The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows:
Section 1. Section 900.22 (2) of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances
titled "Definitions" is hereby amended by adding the following definition:
Electronic message boards: A sign which changes copy electronically
using switches, lights or other electrical impulses, usually having a message
scroll across the sign face. Time and temperature displays and electronic
price displays for gas prices shall not be considered electronic message
boards.
Section 2. Section 900.22 (4) (D) of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances
titled "Signs permitted in Highway Commercial C-3 zone" is hereby amended
by adding the following section:
ix. Electronic message boards are allowed as part of an approved
freestanding or wall sign. A minimum separation distance of 3500 feet shall
be maintained between all electronic message boards, and the minimum
display period for messages shall be one minute.
Section 3. That this ordinance shall take effect upon publication as
provided by law.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River this 20 day of
January, 1998.
Henry A. Duitsman
Mayor
Sandra A. Thackeray
City Clerk
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