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Item# 6.9.
y of / MEMORANDUM
E 1k •
Ryer TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Scott Harlicker, Planning Assistant
DATE: December 23, 1997
SUBJECT: 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 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 three ways. Either they
allowed or 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 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:
0 Apple Valley 0 Plymouth
0 Burnsville 0 Savage
0 Eden Prairie 0 Brooklyn Park
0 Lakeville 0 Minnetonka
0 Maple Grove 0 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 the Planning Commission/OA 97-16
December 23, 1997
Page 2
III Options
Staff would like to present the following options for the Commission to
consider:
• creating a definition for electronic message boards
• treating electronic message boards same as other signs
• allowing electronic message boards with restrictions
Electronic Message Boards
The following definition is offered for 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.
Treat as typical wall or freestanding sign
This option would not distinguish between electronic message boards and
other permanent freestanding or wall signs. They would be subject to the
same regulations as any other sign. This is how they are treated in Anoka.
• Allowing electronic message boards with restrictions
Under this option electronic message boards would be allowed with certain
restrictions. These restrictions might include a minimum display period,
minimum separation distance from other similar signs or limiting them to
certain districts. This is the option used in Blaine. An appropriate minimum
distance between signs may be 3500 feet, which is the approximate distance
between the Holiday store on School Street and the Northbound liquor store
on 193rd Avenue.
Recommendation
The above options were offered for the Planning Commission's consideration.
Most of the communities contacted, 10 out of 12, did not allow these types of
signs. Because of the nature of electronic message boards and the speed at
which the message changes, they could be a distraction to passing drivers. It
is staff's opinion that the regulation could be justified as a method of
promoting public safety. Staff is prepared to draft an ordinance amendment,
which incorporates the Commission's recommendation, for presentation to
the City Council.
•
L\shrdoc\planning\scott\oa97-16.doc