HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/11/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session if/ St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
NOVEMBER 2, 2009
The meeting convened at 6:45 p.m.
Councilmembers present. John Basil! (arrived at 6:48 p m ), C Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul
Omodt, and Loran Paprocki, and Susan Sanger.
Councilmembers absent. Mayor Jeff Jacobs
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal),
Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Assistant Zoning
Administrator (Mr. Morrison) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes).
1. Sign Ordinance Amendment for Electronic Signs
Ms. McMonigal presented the staff report and explained that changes to the existing ordinance are
intended to address new technology and to prevent electronic signs from becoming a nuisance
and/or distraction to motorists and residents. She stated staff is suggesting that messages remain
static for at least three seconds and that the ordinance include brightness standards She added the
three-second rule would be applied retroactively across the City She further added, with Council
direction, staff intends to notify property owners currently affected by the ordinance to discuss the
proposed changes Following that, a public hearing would be scheduled for the Planning
Commission based on public and property owner input to change the ordinance.
Mr. Scott indicated that the revised ordinance would not impact billboards or Clear Channel at this
point because there are not currently any billboards in the City with an electronic component. He
stated billboards are non-conforming uses in the City and existing billboards cannot be expanded.
The ordinance language is intended to make it clear that converting to an electronic billboard would
be considered an expansion and thus not permitted. He explained that standard business signs are
addressed in the ordinance and would be grandfathered in from a size perspective with a maximum
40 square foot limitation and the requirement that a message remain static for three seconds.
Mr. Morrison stated that there are currently some signs in the City that do not meet the proposed
standards, primarily the AARCEE sign on Highway 100 and the Associated Bank sign on 394 He
added the proposed ordinance is intended to address brightness levels and to prohibit messages that
scroll, flash, etc.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger stated she has received complaints about the Lenox sign because it is across
from a residential area and residents have complained that the sign is flashing in their bedrooms
while they are trying to sleep.
Councilmember Basil! stated he felt it will be important to find a balance in the ordinance that
works effectively throughout the City.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- November 2, 2009
Councilmember Omodt agreed and stated the City does not want to be behind the curve in
regulating these types of signs, even though there does not currently appear to be a problem.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger stated she had a hard time conceptualizing the three-second rule and
questioned whether three seconds is too short. She also expressed concern about these types of signs
being allowed in residential districts.
Mr. Morrison pointed out that approximately half of the existing signs are located in residential
areas, e.g., churches and community centers.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger suggested imposing a time limit for when the signs can be lit as a way to
control any distraction to drivers.
Mr. Morrison suggested the signs could remain static on one message throughout the night.
Councilmember Paprocki stated owners will want their advertising to take place when a potential
customer is in the area. He stated he would like to see the ordinance better define brightness.
Mr Morrison indicated the brightness standards are intended to match a backlit sign and the only
change would be when the sign changes to a new message. He noted that a lot of the proposed
language is taken from other cities that have gone through this and there is a common standard that
is starting to emerge.
Councilmember Basill stated the City is not trying to prevent anyone from doing what they want to
do, rather the City is attempting to be proactive by defining what it wants the City to look like.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanger suggested the definition for "sign flashing" be revised to indicate flashing by
means of automation or other technology. She also suggested that the brightness standards simply
reflect that a sign cannot impair or distract, in,order to avoid any debate that someone's vision was
impaired. She requested that further research be conducted regarding the brightness standard as it
relates to any impact on nearby residential areas
Ms. McMonigal stated staff will move forward with preparing a draft ordinance for review by
affected property owners.
The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
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Nancy Stroth, City Clerk usan Sanger, M yor Pro Tern