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Home My WebLink About2008 06-09 500 CMW AGENDA MAPLEWOODCITYCOUNCIL MANAGERWORKSHOP 5:00P.M.Monday,June9,2008 CouncilChambers,CityHall A.CALLTOORDER B.ROLLCALL C.APPROVALOFAGENDA D.UNFINISHEDBUSINESS 1.Discussion:DynamicSignOrdinanceIssues. E.NEWBUSINESS 1.EnvironmentalandNaturalResourcesCommissionInterviewBillSchreiner F.ADJOURNMENT Agenda Item D1 MEMORANDUM TO: CharlesAhl,ActingCityManager FROM: ShannFinwall,AICP,EnvironmentalPlanner SUBJECT: DynamicDisplaySignOrdinance DATE: June2,2008fortheJune9CityCouncilWorkshop INTRODUCTION OnFebruary11,2008,thecitycounciladoptedasix-monthmoratoriumonthe constructionorinstallationofdynamicdisplaysigns(off-siteandon-site).Dynamic displaysaresignsdesignedforoutdoorusethatarecapableofdisplayingavideosignal throughtechnologysuchaslightemittingdiodes(LED).Themoratoriumwasadoptedin ordertoallowthecitytimetostudy,prepare,andadoptdynamicdisplaysignordnance. ThemoratoriumincludedtheMaplewoodCommunityCentersign,whichwasapproved bythecitycouncilonOctober22,2007,aspartofasettlementagreementwithClear Channel. BACKGROUND October8,2007,thecitycouncilheldapublichearingforthefirstreadingofthe prohibitedsignordinanceamendmentproposedbythecityattorneyinregardtothe ClearChannelsettlement.Thecitycouncilreferredtheprohibitedsignordinance languagetotheplanningcommissionandthecommunitydesignreviewboard(CDRB) forconsiderationandinputandfurtherrequestedarecommendationonadynamic displaysignordinance. October9,2007,theCDRBhadpreliminaryreviewoftheprohibitedanddynamic displaysignordinanceandtabledthemtoallowtimetoreviewtheinformation. October16,2007,theplanningcommissionhadpreliminaryreviewoftheprohibitedand dynamicdisplaysignordinanceandtabledthemtoallowtimetoreviewtheinformation. October22,2007,thecitycouncilapprovedthesettlementagreementwithClear Channel(Attachment1). November13,2007,theCDRBreviewedtheprohibitedanddynamicdisplaysign ordinance,modeledafterEagansdynamicdisplayordinance.TheCDRBtabledthe itemforadditionalinformation. November20,2007,theplanningcommissionreviewedandtabledtheprohibitedand namicdisplaysignordinanceinordertoallowtheCDRBtimetomakea dy recommendationontheordinance. November27andDecember4,2007,theCDRBandtheplanningcommission recommendedapprovalofaprohibitedandanoff-sitedynamicdisplaysignordinance. TheCDRBandplanningcommissionrecommendedthatstaffbringbackinformation regardingon-sitedynamicdisplaysignsforapossibleordinanceamendmentinthenear future. December10,2007,thecitycounciladoptedthesecondreadingoftheprohibitedsign ordinancewhichremovedlanguageinthesignordinancetoallowdynamicdisplaysigns withinthecity. December27,2007,thecitycouncilapprovedaconditionalusepermittoallow ClearChanneltoincreasetheheightofabillboardonHighway36.Theincreased heightwasrequestedbyClearChannelinordertoinstalltwodynamicdisplaysignfaces ontothebillboard,whichwasauthorizedthroughtheapprovedsettlementagreement. February11,2008,thecitycounciladoptedasix-monthmoratoriumonalldynamic displaysigns. January8,January22,andMarch11,2008,theCDRBreviewedandrecommended approvalofanon-sitedynamicdisplaysignordinance(Attachment2). April1,2008,theplanningcommissionheldapublichearingtoreviewtheCDRBs recommendationforanon-sitedynamicdisplayordinance(Attachment3).Inthefirst motiontheplanningcommissionrecommendedprohibitingoff-siteandon-sitedynamic displaysigns.Thismotionpassedbyavoteoffivetothree.Theplanningcommission ifthecitycouncildoesallowdynamicdisplay madeasecondmotionwhichstatedthat signsinthecitythattheyshouldusetheordinanceasrecommendedbytheCDRB withadditionsanddeletionsasdescribedbytheplanningcommissionduringthe April1meeting.Thismotionpassedbyavoteofsixtoone,withoneabstention. DISCUSSION Research/Ordinances TheCDRBandplanningcommissionreviewedthefollowingresearchandordinances duringseveralmeetingsinJanuary,March,andApril2008inordertocompilea recommendationforadynamicdisplaysignordinance: LeagueofMinnesotaCities InJuly2007theLeagueofMinnesotaCitiesreleasedanexecutivesummaryregarding theregulationofdynamicdisplaysigns(Attachment4).Afterreviewofthenew technologyandthefederalandstatelaws,theydeterminedthatcitiescantakeanumber ofmacro-levelapproachestoregulationsincludingacompleteornear-completebanon dynamicdisplaysigns;allowdynamicdisplaysignswithrestrictionssuchasminimum displaytime,allowingonlyapercentageofasigntochange,ortextsizelimitations; allowingdifferenttypesofdynamicdisplaysinzoningdistricts,suchasallowingbrighter dynamicsignsinadowntownbusinessdistrictthaninresidentialneighborhoods; offeringincentiveprogramstobillboardcompaniestoallowdynamicdisplaysin exchangeforremovalofnon-conformingsigns;orencouragedynamicdisplays(some communitiesliketheclean,newlookofdynamicsignsandencouragethemtoremove oldblightedandpoorlymaintainedsigns). SRFResearch SRFConsultingGroupconductedastudyondynamicsignsfortheCityofMinnetonkain June2007.ThestudywasrequestedbyMinnetonkaafterconcernsovertheinstallation 2 oftwoLEDbillboardsbyClearChannelwithintheircity.Thecitycouncilhasreviewed thisstudypreviouslyduringtheClearChannelsettlementagreementapprovallastyear. Attachedagainforreviewistheportionofthestudywhichpertainstoregulatory measuresrecommendedfordynamicdisplays(Attachment5).SRFrecommends11 areasofconsiderationwhendraftinganordinanceincluding,butnotlimitedto, identifyingspecificareaswheredynamicdisplaysignsshouldbeprohibited,acceptable levelofoperationalmodes(i.e.,staticwithnotransitions,staticwithfadeordissolve, etc.),minimumdistancerequirementsbetweensigns,etc. CityofMinnetonka InJune2007theCityofMinnetonkaadoptedadynamicdisplaysignordinance. Attachedforreviewisthestaffreportandordinanceamendmentsubmittedbythe Minnetonkacityattorney,communitydevelopmentdirector,andcityplanner(Attachment 6).Thisreportandordinanceamendmentgivesvaluableinformationontheregulation ofdynamicdisplaysigns. Minnetonkasordinanceallowstheinstallationofanoff-sitedynamicdisplaysignfaceon abillboardwiththeremovaloftwoexistingbillboardsignfaceswithinthecity.On-site dynamicdisplaysignsareallowedonfreestandingsignsiftheytakeup35percentor lessoftheallowablesignfaceandthemessagechangeoverislimitedto20minutes. CityofEagan InOctober2007theCityofEaganadoptedasimilarordinancetoMinnetonkaswhich allowsdynamicdisplaysigns(Attachment7).Eagansordinanceallowstheinstallation ofanoff-sitedynamicdisplaysignfaceonabillboardwithoneoftwooptions:1) removalofoneexistingbillboardsignface;or2)allowingthecityfivehoursof communityservicemessagingonthedynamicdisplaysign.On-sitedynamicdisplay signsareallowedonfreestandingsignsinEaganiftheyarenotthepredominantfeature, iftheydonotchangeormovemoreoftenthanonceevery20minutes,andiftheymeet graphicheightrequirementsbasedonthespeedlimitinfrontofthesign. CityofSt.Paul TheCityofSt.Paulrecentlyadoptedanoff-sitedynamicdisplaysignordinancewhich allowsdynamicdisplaybillboardswithrestrictionsincludingallowingonesquarefootof dynamicdisplaysignfacefortheremovalofsixsquarefeetofexistingnon-illuminated staticbillboardoreightsquarefeetofexistingilluminatedstaticbillboard. Nonewregulationsareproposedforon-sitedynamicdisplaysigns,buttheirexisting ordinanceallowsforelectronicmessagesigns(signsthathaveperiodicchangesincopy orsymbolsbyelectronicmeans)withintheirbusinessandindustrialzoningdistrictswith thefollowingrestrictions: 1.Setback600feetfromotherelectronicmessagesignsonthesamesideofthe street. 2.Setback75feetfromaresidentialdistrict. 3.Displaycanfadein/fadeout,travelfromsidetoside,ortravelfromtoptobottom. 3 CityofWoodbury TheCityofWoodburycurrentlyhasamoratoriumonoff-sitedynamicdisplaysignsand isworkingondraftinganordinanceforthesetypesofsigns.Theydonothaveandare notconsidering,anon-sitedynamicdisplaysignordinance.Theirexistingordinance allowselectronicmessagesigns(signswhichcanchangemessagesbutnotchange instantly)onanyfreestandingsignaslongasthemessageremainsconstantand steady.Thereisnotimelimitspecifiedforwhentheycanchangeover,butWoodbury citystaffhasbeenrequiringthemessagestoremainconstantfor24hours. CityofOakdale TheCityofOakdalecurrentlyhasamoratoriumondynamicdisplaysigns.OnJune10, 2008,theOakdalecitycouncilisscheduledtohearthesecondreadingofanoff-site dynamicdisplayordinance.Theordinanceproposedwouldallowbillboardstohave dynamicdisplayswiththefollowingregulations:1)apermanentremovaloftwosquare feetofexistingstaticbillboardfacingforeveryonesquarefootofdynamicdisplaysign; 2)mustbelicensedyearly;3)supportstructuremustcomplywithdesignstandards;4) minimumdurationofimageshallbenolessthan60seconds. CityofVadnaisHeights OnApril15,2008,theVadnaisHeightsplanningcommissionmadearecommendation thattheircityadoptanordinancewhichwouldallowdynamicdisplaysonbillboardswith thefollowingregulations:1)billboardscancontainasingledynamicsignthathasno animationormovingparts;and2)minimumdurationofimageshallbenolessthan60 seconds.Nochangesarecurrentlyproposedtotheiron-siteordinance. ProhibitedSignOrdinance OnDecember10,2007,thecitycounciladoptedaprohibitedsignordinanceamendment asfollows:Prohibitedsigns:Signsthathaveblinking,flashingorflutteringlightsorthat changeinbrightnessorcolor.Signsthatgivepublicserviceinformation,suchastime andtemperatureareexempt.Thisamendmentwasrequiredinordertoallowthe installationoftwodynamicdisplaybillboardsignfacesapprovedaspartoftheClear Channelsettlementagreement. Priortotheamendmenttheprohibitedsignordinanceallowedsignsthathavethe capabilityofblinking,flashing,flutteringorchanginginbrightnessorcolor(suchas electronicmessageboards)onlyifisusedprimarilyforapublicservicemessage.This languagewasadoptedin1972andwasdesignedtoaddresstheoldstyleofbanksigns whichhadlightbulbsthatcoulddisplaytimeandtemperature. Theunintendedresultoftheprohibitedsignordinanceamendmentallowedany permittedsign(includingbillboards)tohaveanelectronicmessageboardordynamic displayregardlessofpublicservicemessage,aslongasthesigndidnotblink,flash,or flutter;thesigncanchangefromonesignfacetoanotherwithoutrapidmovement,with noregulationsproposedregardingchangeoverratesorstyles.Thisloopholeshouldbe addressedintheproposeddynamicdisplaysignordinance. 4 Theordinance,asamended,stillallowssignstohaveblinking,flashing,orfluttering lightsifusedprimarilyforpublicservicemessaging.Thishasbeeninterpretedbythe CDRBinthepasttomeanthedisplayofapublicservicemessageatleast31minutes outofeveryhour. SincetheCDRBandplanningcommissionareproposinganon-sitedynamicdisplay signordinancewhichwouldgivebusinessesanopportunitytoutilizethenewLED technology,theCDRBandplanningcommissionrecommendthattheprohibitedsection oftheordinancebeamendedtoprohibitsignsthatblink,flash,orflutterregardlessof messaging. Off-SiteDynamicDisplaySigns Thesignordinancedefinesabillboardasasignthatadvertisesaproduct,event, person,institution,activity,business,service,orsubjectnotlocatedonthepremiseson whichthesignislocated.Billboardsarealsoreferredtoasoff-sitesigns.Maplewoods existingbillboardordinancewasadoptedin1982andpermitsbillboardsasfollows: 1.Withincommercialzoningdistricts. 2.Maximumsizeof450squarefeet. 3.Amaximumheightof35feet. 4.Locatedatleast200feettoanotherbillboard. 5.Locatedatleast100feettoacommercialbuilding. 6.Locatedatleast200feettoresidentialdistrictor500feettoresidence. 7.Locatedatleast300feettoaninterchange. 8.Locatedatleast500feettoapark. 9.Locatedatleast10feettoapropertyline. Maplewoodhasfivebillboards(Attachment8),allofwhichwereconstructedpriortothe citysbillboardordinance.Allfivebillboardsareconsideredlegalnonconforming billboardsbecausetheyexceedatleastoneofthebillboardordinancesrequirementsfor sizeorsetbacks. TheCDRBandplanningcommissionreviewedthecitysexistingbillboardsandresearch regardingdynamicdisplaybillboardsduringseveralmeetingsinOctober,November, andDecember2007.Basedonthisresearchtheboardandcommissionboth off-site recommendedapprovalofandynamicdisplaysignordinancemodeledafter Eagansordinance(Attachment7).FourmajorchangestotheEaganordinance proposedinclude: 1.Permittingoff-sitedynamicdisplaysignswithaconditionalusepermitonly. 2.Requiringimagestobemaintainedforaminimumof12seconds,asopposedto 8secondsasproposedbyEagan. 3.AllowingforIncentiveOptionAonly,whichisthereductionofoneexistingstatic billboardsignfaceforeverydynamicdisplaysignfaceinstalled;ratherthan either/orincentivewhichalsogaveapplicantstheopportunitytoinstalladynamic displaysignfaceifthecityisallowedatleastfivehourspermonthofcommunity andpublicservicemessagesonthesign. 5 4.InadditiontothebrightnessstandardsoutlinedinEagansordinance,theboard recommendedthatoff-sitedynamicdisplaysignsmeetMaplewoodsexisting outdoorlightingrequirementsthatrequirethattheapplicantsubmitaphotometric planshowingthatthesigndoesnotexceed.4footcandlesoflumensatall propertylinesandthatthesigndoesnotproduceglareorotherlighting nuisances. On-SiteDynamicDisplaySigns TheCDRBandplanningcommission(intheirsecondmotion)recommendedallowing on-sitedynamicdisplaysignswithrestrictions.Followingisadescriptionofthe on-site proposeddynamicdisplaysignrestrictions: ZoningDistricts On-sitedynamicdisplaysignsshouldbeallowedintheBusinessCommercial(BC),Light Manufacturing(M-1),andHeavyManufacturing(M-2)zoningdistrictsonly. FreestandingSignSize On-sitedynamicdisplaysignsshouldbeallowedonfreestandingsigns.Only50percent ofthesignfaceshouldbeutilizedforadynamicdisplay.Themaximumsizeofa freestandingsignfacewouldbebasedonthemaximumsizeallowedinthecityssign ordinance.ThesignordinanceallowssignsintheBC,M-1,andM-2zoningdistrictsto havefreestandingsignsupto150to300squarefeet(dependingonthesizeofthelot). Intherecommendedordinancethedynamicdisplayportioncouldbe50percentofthis area(75to150squarefeet). FreestandingSignPlacement Theplacementofdynamicdisplayfreestandingsignsshouldrequiresetbacksto residential,park,openspace,andsidepropertylines.Forthisreasontheproposed setbacksareasfollows:200feettoresidential,park,oropenspace(thiswillensureno negativeimpactsfromdynamicdisplaysignsfromthesetypesofuses)and100feettoa sidepropertyline(thiswillensureanadequatedistancebetweendynamicdisplay signs). WallSigns TheCDRBdiscussedwhetherornottoallowdynamicdisplaysignsonwalls.The CDRBdeterminedthatitwouldbedifficulttoaddressadequatesetbacksforwallsigns tosidepropertylinesorotherdynamicdisplaywallsignsontheproperty.Forthis reasontheCDRBandplanningcommissionrecommendthatdynamicdisplaywallsigns onlybeallowedthroughthecomprehensivesignplanprocess. Thecitysexistingsignordinancerequiresthatallmulti-tenantbuildingswithfiveormore tenantsobtainacomprehensivesignplanapprovalfromtheCDRB.Theintentofthis requirementistoensurethatallsignslocatedonamulti-tenantbuildingare architecturallycompatibletothebuildingandtoeachother.Byrequiringa comprehensivesignplanreviewforalldynamicdisplaywallsignstheCDRBcanreview eachproposalseparatelytodetermineiftheexistingandproposedsignswouldbe 6 compatibleandtoensurethatthelocationofthedynamicdisplaywallsignwouldnot causeanuisancetosurroundingproperties. MessageDisplayTime Citystafforiginallyrecommendedamessagedisplaychangeoverforon-sitedynamic displaysignsof20minutestotheCDRB,whichwasbasedontheMinnetonkaand Eaganon-sitedynamicdisplayordinances.TheCDRBdiscussedthisrequirementat lengthandrequestedadditionalinformationasfollows: TheLeagueofMinnesotaCitiesJuly2007executivesummaryondynamic displaysquotesstudiesthatdescribetheZeigarnikeffectinregardtodynamic displays.TheZeigarnikeffectisapsychologicalneedtoseeataskthroughtoits end,sothatadriverwillwanttoreadanentiredynamicdisplaymessagebefore itchanges.Inordertodothisadrivermayslowdownorchangelanes,causing atrafficsafetyissue.TheLeagueofMinnesotaCitiesstatesthatcitiesshould addressthisissuebyimposingaminimummessagedisplaydurationwhichwill varydependingoncommunitypreferenceandtrafficconditions.Inaddition,the June7,2007,SRFtrafficstudystatesthatthemessagedisplaytimeshouldallow atmostoneimagetransitionduringthetimethatthesignisvisibletoadriver travelingattheoperationalspeed. Intheproposedordinance,on-sitedynamicdisplaysignsareproposedfor propertieswhicharezonedBC,M-1,andM-2.Thesepropertiesarelocated mainlyonprincipalorminorarterialroads.Theseroadsaredescribedinthe cityscomprehensiveplanasfollows:principalarterial-roadscarryingthe highestvolumeoftrafficwithspeedsfrom40to55mph;minorarterialroads thatconnectsubregionsthataretheclosestroutesparalleltotheprincipal arterialsandallowmoderatetohightravelspeedsof35to50mph.Clear Channelandotherbillboardcompanieswhoutilizethedynamicdisplay technologyhaveanindustrystandardofmessagedisplaychangeoverevery8 seconds.Thisallowsadrivertravelingatspeedsfrom55to70mphtoseeone totwoimagesastheypassby. Whilenotascientificmethod,staffrecommendedthattheCDRBcomparethe highwaydynamicdisplaychangeovertimetotheprincipalandarterialroad changeovertimewithspeedsrangingfrom35to55mph.Whencomparing thesetimes,considerationwasplacedonstopsignsandtrafficsignalswhich alsoslowedtrafficontheseroads.Basedonthis,staffhadrecommendedthat thelengthofthemessagedisplaychangeoverforon-sitedynamicdisplaysigns beatleastoneminuteuptoonehour. AfterreviewanddiscussiontheCDRBandplanningcommissionrecommendthatthe messagechangeovertimeforon-sitedynamicdisplaysignsbeheldattenminutes.It wasfeltthatthischangeoverratewouldensuretrafficsafetyandensurethatrapid changesinmessagesdidnotcauseanuisance. 7 TemporarySigns Thetemporarysignordinanceallowsportabletemporarysignsthatarelessthan16 squarefeetinareawithoutapermitandwithoutanyotherregulationsonsize,number, orduration.Itallowsportabletemporarysignsthatareover16squarefeetwithapermit andwiththerestrictionthatitcanbeinstalledforamaximumof30daysperyear,per business. Citystaffrecentlywitnessedtheuseofalargedynamicdisplaytemporarysignin Minneapolis.Theprohibitedsignordinanceasspecifiedabovewouldallowtemporary signsinMaplewoodtohaveadynamicdisplay,aslongasthatdisplaydidnotblink, flash,orflutter.TheCDRBhadrecommendedthatpermanenton-sitedynamicdisplay signsbeallowedintheBC,M-1,andM-2zoningdistrictsiftheymeettherequired setbackstoresidential,etc.Sinceitwouldbedifficulttorequirethesamerestrictionsfor temporarysignsbecausetheyareeasilyinstalledanywhereatanytime,theCDRBand planningcommissionrecommendthatdynamicdisplaysbeprohibitedontemporary signs. SharedSigns TheCDRBdiscussedthepossibilityofallowingbusinessestosharedynamicdisplay signs.Thecityscurrentsignordinancedoesnotallowonebusinesstoadvertise anotherbusinessesproductorservicewiththeuseofsharedsigns,unlessthosesigns wereapprovedaspartofaplannedunitdevelopmentorcomprehensivesignplan. Acomprehensivesignplaniscurrentlyrequiredformulti-tenantpropertieswithfiveor moretenants.TheseplansareapprovedbytheCDRB.TheCDRBwantedthecitys signordinancetoencouragetheremovalofnonconformingsignsandpromoteshared signs(dynamicdisplayorstationarysigns)-especiallyinlightofthefactthatdynamic displaysignshavethecapabilityofdisplayingmultiplemessages.Toachievethisthey arerecommendingadditionallanguageinthecomprehensivesignplantoallowforthis. Off-SiteAdvertisement Thecityscurrentsignordinanceonlyallowsbillboards(off-sitesigns)todisplayoff-site advertisementsuchasaproduct,event,person,institution,activity,business,serviceor subjectwhichisnotlocatedonthepremisesonwhichthesignislocated.TheCDRB hadreviewedaconceptplanbytheMaplewoodMallfortheinstallationofafreestanding dynamicdisplaysignalongWhiteBearAvenue.Intheconceptreviewmall representativesindicatedthatthesignwouldbeusedfordisplayofproductsand servicessoldinthemall.Asanexample,theymightadvertiseGuessJeansandthen displaythestoreinwhichthesejeansweresold.Inthestrictinterpretationofthecitys existingordinancethiswouldbeallowed. TheCDRBdiscussedwhetherthisrestrictionshouldberevisedtoallowon-sitedynamic displaystoadvertiseoff-siteproducts.Asanexample,toallowtheMaplewoodMallto sellspaceontheirsignforaproductorservicenotsoldorcontractedonsite.The CDRBandplanningcommissionrecommendedthaton-sitedynamicdisplaysignsbe prohibitedfromdisplayingoff-siteproductsorservices,unlessassociatedwithapublic servicemessage,asiscurrentlyspecifiedinthecityssignordinance. 8 MaplewoodCommunityCenterSign SignSizeandLocation ThecommunitycentersignapprovedaspartofthesettlementagreementwithClear Channellastyearisapproximately15feetinheightandthedynamicdisplaysignfaceis 87squarefeetinarea(Attachment9).Thesignwouldbeplacedontheexisting freestandingsignbase,whichisapproximately25feetfromthefrontpropertyline. Thelocationofthesignwouldmeetthedynamicdisplaysignordinance recommendationsproposedbytheCDRBandplanningcommission.Thedynamic displaysignface,however,iswellover50percentofthesign.Sincethesizeand designofthesignwereapprovedaspartofthesettlementagreement,thesizeofthe dynamicdisplaysignfacecouldbeconsideredgrandfatheredinandallowedasapre- approvedlegalnonconformity. Advertising TheMaplewoodCommunityCenterhashadrequestsfordisplayingoff-site advertisementonthesign.Accordingtoourcurrentandproposedordinancedynamic displayscanonlyadvertiseproducts,events,persons,institutions,activities,businesses, services,orsubjectswhicharelocatedonthepremisesorwhichgivepublicservice informationonly. Thesignordinanceisnotclearwhetherthecommunitycentersign,oranyotheron-site sign,couldadvertiseanoff-siteadvertiseriftheyweretosponsoranevent,suchasa banksponsoringaplayatthecommunitycenter.Thisisanitemforinterpretation. However,itisclearthatthedisplayofpurelyoff-sitesignage,suchasadvertisingcar loansforacardealerinMaplewood,wouldbeprohibited. DynamicDisplayChangeoverTime TheCDRBandtheplanningcommissionrecommendedthatdisplaychangeoverforon- sitedynamicdisplaysignsbelimitedtotenminutes.Thiswouldallowasigntodisplay sixmessagesanhour. Whilethechangeovertimeforthecommunitycentersignwasneverdiscussedduring thesettlementagreementwithClearChannel,itseemsapparentthattheintentofthe signwastogenerateasmuchadvertisementforthecommunitycenterandthecityas possible.Forthisreason,timechangeoverofon-sitedynamicdisplaysigns,including thecommunitycentersign,shouldbereviewedclosely. OtherOptionstoConsider 1.AlternativeDynamicDisplayRegulationsforPlacesofAmusement:The MaplewoodCommunityCenterisclassifiedasaplaceofamusement,recreation, orassemblyinthecityszoningcode.Usingthisdescriptionstaffestimatesthat MaplewoodhasfoursuchfacilitiesincludingtheAldrichArena,community center,DaysInn(conferencecenterportionofthehotel),andtheMyth(which canholdeventssimilartoAldrichArenaandthecommunitycenter).Sincethese facilitieshavespecialneedsasfarasadvertisingvariouseventsatonecenter, 9 thecitymaywanttoallowalternativeregulationsfortheseuses,suchasallowing shorterchangeoverdisplaytimes. 2.ComprehensiveSignPlan:Acomprehensivesignplaniscurrentlyrequiredfor multi-tenantpropertieswithfiveormoretenantsorlargecampuses,suchas MoundsParkAcademy.Theintentoftheseplansistoensurethatallsignageon thepropertyisconsistentwitheachotherandcompatiblewiththearchitectureof thebuilding(s).TheseplansareapprovedbytheCDRB.Inreviewingthese plans,theCDRBcanvaryfromthesigncodeiftheresultisanimproved relationshipbetweenthevariouspartsoftheoverallplan. ThecitydoesnothaveacomprehensivesignplanfortheMaplewoodcity hall/communitycentercampus.Ifthecommunitycentersignwerereviewedas partofanoverallcomprehensivesignplan,thecitycouldalsoreviewsizeand designrequirementsforallfuturesignsonthecampusincludingdirectional, interpretive,wall,andfreestandingsigns. Citystaffiscurrentlylookingintothecreationofinterpretivesignsforourcampus masterplan.Thesesignswillcreateawarenesstothesustainablebest managementpracticesthecityisimplementingoncampussuchastherainwater gardens,perviouspavementparkinglot,nativeplantings,etc.Inaddition,city staffisalsolookingintoupdatingtheBeamAvenuemonumentsign.Allofthese signs,inadditiontothecommunitycentersign,couldbereviewedaspartofa campuscomprehensivesignplan. Ifthecommunitycentersignwerereviewedaspartofacomprehensivesignplan thecitycouldvaryfromtherecommendedordinanceincertainareas,suchas displaytimeoradvertisementofofforon-sitesignage,ifitresultedinan improvedrelationshipwiththeoverallplan. 3.LicensingofDynamicDisplaySigns:Themessage,display,andchangeover rateofadynamicdisplaysigniscontrolledbyacomputer.Changingthesigns displayisinstantaneousandeasilyaccomplished.Ifthecityallowsdynamic displaysignswithrestrictions,itwillrequireadditionalinspections,monitoring, andcodeenforcementtoensurethatthesigncomplieswiththecode.Asan example,onemanagerofabusinesscouldbeawareofthecitysordinancesand operatetheirsignasrequired;butthenextmanagermaynotandwiththeclickof afewbuttonsthedisplayisnoncompliant. Theaddedmonitoringandenforcementwillbringadditionalcosttothecity.For thisreasonthecitywouldbewithinitsrightstorequirealicensefordynamic displaysigns(off-siteandon-site)inordertorecoupthosecosts.Thelicense couldberenewedannuallyatafeedeterminedbythecitycouncil.Ifasignwas noncompliantforlongperiodsoftimethecitycouldrevokethelicense.In addition,thecitycouldfeasiblyallowthelicensingofaspecificnumberof dynamicdisplaysigns,whichwouldlimittheoverallnumberallowedwithinthe city. 10 4.PublicServiceMessaging:Theboardandcommissionrecommendedremoving thelanguagewhichwouldallowsignstoblink,flash,orflutterifusedprimarilyfor publicservicemessage.Thecitycouldconsiderallowingalternativeregulations forsignsthatdisplayprimarilypublicservicemessagingsuchasallowingfora fasterchangeoverrate. RECOMMENDATION Theproposeddynamicdisplaysignordinanceisattachedforthecitycouncilsreview (Attachment10).Staffrecommendsthatthecitycouncilreviewthedraftdynamic displayordinanceandbackgroundmaterialsandofferfeedbackregardingtheproposed ordinance. Attachments: 1.October22,2007,ClearChannelSettlementAgreement 2.CDRBMinutes(1/8/08,1/22/08and3/11/08) 3.PCMinutes(4/1) 4.LeagueofMinnesotaCitiesExecutiveSummaryonDynamicDisplaySigns 5.SRFDynamicDisplaySignResearch 6.MinnetonkaDynamicDisplaySignOrdinanceStaffReport 7.EaganDynamicDisplaySignOrdinance 8.BillboardMap 9.CommunityCenterSign 10.CDRBandPCRecommendedDynamicDisplaySignOrdinance 11 Attachment2 MINUTESOFTHEMAPLEWOODCOMMUNITYDESIGNREVIEWBOARD 1830COUNTYROADBEAST,MAPLEWOOD,MINNESOTA TUESDAY,JANUARY8,2008 V.UNFINISHEDBUSINESS a.On-SiteDynamicDisplaySignCodeDiscussion PlannerShannFinwallpresentedthestaffreportandaskedtheboardcommentonissues regardingdynamicdisplaysignsinthecity.Ms.Finwallalsoaskedtheboardfortheir commentsregardingissueswithpublicservicemessages. Inresponsetoapreviousquestionfromtheboard,PlannerFinwallsaidtheLeagueof MinnesotaCitieshasadvisedthatatotalbanofdynamicdisplaysignsislegalandan option.BoardmemberWisesaidheisnotinfavorofatotalbanondynamicdisplaysigns. BoardmemberShankarsaidhethinkstherulesshouldbethesameforbothon-siteand off-sitesigns,butfeelstherewillbefewerissueswithon-sitesignsduetothegenerally lowerdrivingspeedsinfrontofpropertieswherethosesignsmightbeconstructed. BoardmemberLedvinaagreedatotalbanofdynamicdisplaysignsisnotfeasible.Mr. Ledvinahadquestionsonwhysetbacksarenotrelatedtolanduseandwhydynamicsigns arenotprohibitedinsomezoningdistrictsinthecityofMinnetonkasordinance.Mr.Ledvina feelstheMinnetonkaordinanceisagoodexampleandsaidherecommendstheboarduse theMinnetonkaordinanceasaguide.Mr.Ledvinarequestedstaffresearchwhetherthecity ofSt.Paulson-siteordinancehasbeenadopted.Mr.Ledvinasuggestedamoratoriumon dynamicdisplaysignswouldbereasonableuntiltheordinanceisamended. BoardmemberWiseaskedwhatconstitutesuniquezoningdistrictsandhehadquestions onspacingofdynamicsigns.Heaskedwhetherthereareothercitieswithexamplesofsign spacing.PlannerFinwallsaidshewillresearchthesequestionsandalsoothercitiesfor examplesofsignspacingandrequirements,andalsowhetherthecityofSt.Paulhas adoptedanon-siteordinance. BoardmemberDemkosaidheagreeswithusingthecityofMinnetonkaordinanceasa guide.Mr.Demkosaidhehasquestionswiththe20-minutedisplaytimeandalsothe15- footmaximumheightrequirement. BoardmemberShankarsaidhealsoagreeswithusingtheMinnetonkaordinanceasa guide.Hehasquestionsonthenumberofsignsallowedperpropertyandwithhaving differencesindisplaytimeforon-siteandoff-sitedynamicsigns. BoardmemberLedvina,notingthecompetitionamongadvertisers,saidhehasstrong concernswithhavingtoomanysignsinhigh-trafficareasinthenearfuturewithdisplays changingcontinually. BoardmemberOlsonsuggestedtheboardmoveaheadwiththisreview.Ms.Olson suggestedtheneedforlanguagetoregulatetheblinking,flashingandflutteringofsigns, andtheneedtoreviewthesetbackdistanceandsignspacingissues,changetimeof displays,andnecessarylanguagedefiningpublicservicemessage. PlannerFinwallaskedtheboardwhetheronlyfreestandingdynamicsignswillbe considered.BoardmemberOlsonrespondedthatnon-freestandingsignsalsoneedtobe considered. Attachment2 MINUTESOFTHEMAPLEWOODCOMMUNITYDESIGNREVIEWBOARD 1830COUNTYROADBEAST,MAPLEWOOD,MINNESOTA TUESDAY,JANUARY22,2008 VI.UNFINISHEDBUSINESS a.On-SiteDynamicDisplaySignCodeDiscussion PlannerShannFinwallpresentedthestaffreportandalsoinformedtheboardthatthecitycouncil hasrequestedamoratoriumondynamicdisplaysignstoallowtheCDRB&PCtimetodraftan ordinancewhichaddressesthosetypesofsigns.Thatmoratoriumwillgotothecitycouncilon Monday,January28forfirstreading. Theboarddiscussedwithstaffhowtheproposedordinancewouldaffectsomeofthecitysexisting signage,suchastheamountofsignareaallowedforconversiontodynamicdisplayandsetback requirementsnearparksandothersigns. BoardmemberWisequestionedwhethertheright-of-wayareashouldbeexcludedfromthesign setbackmeasurement.Mr.Wisesaidthematterofwhetherthe600-footsignsetback Ismeasuredfromtheroadoranoutparcelshouldbeconsideredalso,sinceanoutparceltypically alreadyhassignage.Mr.Wisesuggestedthatsitearchitecturalfeaturesmightbeconsideredin establishingthesquarefootageorpercentagedisplayrequirement. BoardmemberLedvinasaidhefeelstheallowablezoningdistrictsofBC,M-1andM-2are appropriateandthattheminimum20-minutechangeovertimelineisreasonable.Mr.Ledvinasaid heisokaywiththemaximum50percenttotalsquare-footagerequirement.Mr.Ledvinasaidhe doesnotbelieveitwouldbefeasibletoexcludetheright-of-wayforsetbackmeasurementdueto landissuessuchaseasementsthatwouldcreateanunlevelplayingfield,butthatstandardsdo needtobeestablishedrelatingtospecificpropertylinesanduses.Mr.Ledvinasuggestedthe proposed75-footresidentialsetbackisverycloseandthatasetbackofbetween100and200feet mightbebetter.Mr.Ledvinasaidhedoesnothavetheanswer,buthedoesnotagreewiththe 600-footsetbackconceptwhichwouldallowthefirstpropertyownerwhocanaffordittobeableto installthesignandhefeelsthiswillbeaproblem. Staffsaidtheboardshouldconsiderincludinganadditionalside-yardsetbackrequirementwhich wouldhelptoeliminatesignsbeingtooclosetogetherandshouldalsoconsiderallowingonlyone dynamicdisplaysignonaproperty. BoardmemberOlsonsaidonlyonepylonsignshouldbeallowedperpropertyandshouldhave additionalrestrictions.Ms.Olsonsaidshefeelssignsattachedtobuildingswillneedaseparate setoflanguage.Ms.Olsonmentionedshefeelstheminimumdisplayof20minutesistoolong andcouldbeshortenedto5minutes.Ms.Olsonsaidsheagreeswithincreasingthe75-foot residentialsetbackto100feet,butshouldalsoincludethesetbacktoincludeanyresidential structure,park,naturepreserve,wetlandorhistoricarea. BoardmemberDemkosuggestedincludingarequirementtoremoveanexistingsignforany newdynamicdisplaysigninstalled.Mr.Demkosaidheagreesthattheproposed75-foot residentialsetbackneedstobeincreased. BoardmemberOlsondiscussedwhethertoallowfree-standingdynamicsignsasopposedto dynamicwallsigns. CommunityDesignReviewBoard 2 Minutes01-22-2008 BoardmemberShankarsuggestedthatwallsignsmightbeallowedonlyforbusinessesexceeding 100,000squarefeet. BoardmemberWisesuggestedthat100,000squarefeetwouldallowwallsignageonlyatthe MaplewoodMallandthatreducingthesquarefootageto50,000to60,000squarefeetmightbe morereasonable.Mr.Wisealsosuggestedthatbusinessesshouldbeencouragedbythecityto enterintosharedsignagreements. BoardmemberLedvinasaidhefavorslimitingdynamicdisplaysignstofree-standingsignsonly andyetallowlargercommercialpropertiesthathavecomprehensivesignplanstopropose alternatedesignsforwallsigns. Theboardmadesuggestionstostaffforrevisionstothedynamicsigncodedraft. ChairpersonOlsonsuggestedtheboardtablethisdiscussionuntilthenextmeetingandaskedstaff toreviewtheboardscommentsandsuggestionsandprepareadraftoftheon-siteordinancefor thenextmeeting. Attachment2 MINUTESOFTHEMAPLEWOODCOMMUNITYDESIGNREVIEWBOARD 1830COUNTYROADBEAST,MAPLEWOOD,MINNESOTA TUESDAY,MARCH11,2008 VI.UNFINISHEDBUSINESS a.On-SiteDynamicDisplaySignCode PlannerShannFinwallpresentedthestaffreportregardingthecreationofanon-sitedynamic displaysignordinance.Ms.Finwallmentionedthattheboardmaywanttoconsideramendingthe prohibitedsectionoftheordinancetoincludeprohibitingtemporarysignsthatblink,flashorflutter regardlessofmessaging. BoardmemberOlsonsaidsinceMnDOTrecommendseightsecondsastheminimumfordisplay change,shewillnotbeinfavorofanythinglessthaneightsecondsandsheiscomfortablewithten minutes. BoardmemberWisesaidheprefersthatoff-siteadvertisingbeprohibitedonthesignsandalso thathefavorsbetweentenandtwentyminutesasaminimumfordisplaychange. Theboarddiscussedaddinglanguagetothecomprehensivesignplantoencourageandpromote theuseofsharedsignsamongbusinesses. BoardmemberLedvinamovedthecommunitydesignreviewboardrecommendedapprovalof: 1.Amendingtheprohibitedsigncodeatsection44-737asfollows: Signsthatarenotspecificallypermittedinthisarticleareherebyprohibited.Thefollowing signsarespecificallyprohibited: (3)Signsthathaveblinking,flashingorflutteringlights.Signsthatgivepublicservice information,suchastimeandtemperatureareexempt. 2.Amendingthetemporarysigncodeatsection44-807asfollows: (i)Temporarysignswithblinking,flashing,orflutteringlightsorwithdynamicdisplays areprohibited. 3.Amendingthecomprehensivesignplancodeatsection44-736asfollows: Acomprehensivesignplanshallbeprovidedforthefollowing:(1)businesspremiseswhich occupytheentirefrontageinoneormoreblockfrontsorforthewholeofashoppingcenteror similardevelopmenthavingfiveormoretenantsintheproject;(2)dynamicdisplaywallsigns; and(3)sharedsigns.Suchaplan,whichshallincludethelocation,size,heights,color,lighting andorientationofallsigns,shallbesubmittedforpreliminaryplanapprovalbythecity;provided that,ifsuchcomprehensiveplanispresented,exceptionstothesignscheduleregulationsof thisarticlemaybepermittedinthesignareasanddensitiesfortheplanasawholearein conformitywiththeintentofthisarticleandifsuchexceptionsresultsinanimproved relationshipbetweenthevariouspartsoftheplan.Comprehensivesignplansshallbereviewed bythecommunitydesignreviewboard.Theapplicant,staffandcitycouncilmayappealthe CommunityDesignReviewBoard 2 Minutes03-11-2008 communitydesignreviewboardsdecision.Anappealshallbepresentedwithin15daysofthe reviewboardsdecisiontobeconsidered. 4.Adoptanon-sitedynamicdisplaysigncodeasfollows(textunderlinedhasbeenaddedtothe proposedoff-sitedynamicdisplaysigncodeamendmentwhichwasrecommendedforapproval bytheCDRBandplanningcommission): a.Findings.Studiesshowthatthereisacorrelationbetweendynamicdisplaysonsigns andthedistractionofhighwaydrivers.Distractionofdriverscanleadtotrafficaccidents. Driverscanbedistractednotonlybyachangingmessage,butalsobyknowingthatthe signhasachangingmessage.Insuchacase,driversmaywatchasignwaitingforthe nextchangetooccur.Driversalsoaredistractedbymessagesthatdonottellthefull storyinonelook.Peoplehaveanaturaldesiretoseetheendofthestoryandwill continuetolookatthesigninordertowaitfortheend. Additionally,driverscouldbemoredistractedbyspecialeffectsusedtochangethe message,suchasfade-insandfade-outs.Finally,driversaregenerallymoredistracted bymessagesthataretoosmalltobeclearlyseenorthatcontainmorethanasimple message.Timeandtemperaturesignsappeartobeanexceptiontotheseconcerns becausethemessagesareshort,easilyabsorbedbythoseobservingthem,andare onlyaccuratewithfrequentchanges. Despitethesepublicsafetyconcerns,thereismerittoallowingnewtechnologiesto easilyupdatemessages.Exceptasprohibitedbystateorfederallaw,signowners shouldhavetheopportunitytousethesetechnologieswithcertainrestrictions.The restrictionsareintendedtominimizepotentialdriverdistraction,tominimizetheir proliferationinresidentialdistrictswheresignscanadverselyimpactresidential character,andtoprotectthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare. Localspacingrequirementscouldinterferewiththeequalopportunityofsignownersto usesuchtechnologiesandarenotincluded.Withoutthoserequirements,however,there isthepotentialfornumerousdynamicdisplaystoexistalonganyroadway.Ifmorethan onedynamicdisplaycanbeseenfromagivenlocationonaroad,theminimumdisplay timebecomescritical.Ifthedisplaytimeistooshort,adrivercouldbesubjectedtoa viewthatappearstohaveconstantmovement.Thisimpactondriverswouldbe compoundedinatrafficcorridorwithmultiplesigns.Ifdynamicdisplaysbecome pervasiveandtherearenomeaningfullimitationsoneachsignsabilitytochange frequently,driversmaybesubjectedtoanunsafedegreeofdistractionandsensory overload.Therefore,requiringalongerdisplaytimeondynamicsignsisinthepublic interest. Aconstantmessageistypicallyneededonasignsothatthepubliccanuseittoidentify andfindanintendeddestination.Changingmessagesdetractfromthisway-finding purposeandcouldadverselyaffectdrivingconductthroughlast-secondlanechanges, stops,orturns,allofwhichcouldresultintrafficaccidents. Inconclusion,theCityofMaplewoodfindsthatdynamicdisplaysshouldbeallowedon off-premisesignsbutwithsignificantcontrolstominimizetheirproliferationandtheir potentialthreatstopublichealth,safety,andwelfare. b.Dynamicdisplaysignmeansanysigndesignedforoutdoorusethatiscapableof displayingavideosignal,including,butnotlimitedto,cathode-raytubes(CRTs),light- CommunityDesignReviewBoard 3 Minutes03-11-2008 emittingdiode(LED)displays,plasmadisplays,liquid-crystaldisplays(LCDs),orother technologiesusedincommerciallyavailabletelevisionsorcomputermonitors. c.Standardsforalldynamicdisplaysigns: (1)Theimagesandmessagesdisplayedonthesignmustbecompletein themselves,withoutcontinuationincontenttothenextimageormessageorto anyothersign; (2)Everylineofcopyandgraphicsinadynamicdisplaymustbeatleastseven inchesinheightonaroadwithaspeedlimitof25to34milesperhour,nine inchesonaroadwithaspeedlimitof35to44milesperhour,12inchesona roadwithaspeedlimitof45to54milesperhour,and15inchesonaroadwitha speedlimitof55milesperhourormore. (3)Dynamicdisplaysignsmustbedesignedandequippedtofreezethedevicein onepositionifamalfunctionoccurs.Thedisplaysmustalsobeequippedwitha meanstodiscontinuethedisplayifitmalfunctions,andthesignownermuststop thedynamicdisplaywithinonehourofbeingnotifiedbythecitythatitisnot meetingthestandardsofthisordinance; (4)Dynamicdisplaysignsmustmeetthebrightnessstandardscontainedin subdivisionf.below; (4)Dynamicdisplaysignsexistingon(inserttheeffectivedateofthisordinance) mustcomplywiththeoperationalstandardslistedabove. d.On-SiteDynamicdisplaysignsareallowedsubjecttothefollowingadditionalconditions: (1)LocatedintheBusinessCommercial(BC)orHeavyorLightIndustrial(M-2and M-1)zoningdistrictsonly. (2)Theimagesandmessagesdisplayedontheon-premisedynamicdisplaysign mustbestaticandeachdisplaymustbemaintainedforaminimumof 10minutes ;andthetransitionfromonestaticdisplaytoanothermustbe instantaneouswithoutanyspecialeffects; (3)Areallowedaspartofapermanentfreestandingsign,providedthatthesign comprisesnomorethan50percentofthetotalsquarefootageofsaidsignface. (4)Mustbelocatedatleast200feetfromanyresidentiallandusedistrictonwhich thereexistsstructuresusedforresidentialpurposesoranyresidentialstructure; orfromanyparkoropenspacelandusedistrict. (5)Mustbelocatedatleast100feetfromanysidepropertyline. e.Off-SiteDynamicdisplaysignsareallowedsubjecttothefollowingadditionalconditions: (1)Adynamicdisplaysignisallowedbyconditionalusepermitapprovedbythecity council. (2)Theimagesandmessagesdisplayedonthesignmustbestaticandeachdisplay mustbemaintainedforaminimumof12seconds,andthetransitionfromone CommunityDesignReviewBoard 4 Minutes03-11-2008 staticdisplaytoanothermustbeinstantaneouswithoutanyspecialeffects; f.Incentive.Off-premisessignsdonotneedtoservethesameway-findingfunctionasdo on-premisessignsandtheyaredistractingandtheirremovalservesthepublichealth, safety,andwelfare.Thisclauseisintendedtoprovideanincentiveoptionforthe voluntaryanduncompensatedremovalofoff-premisesignsincertainsettings.Thissign removalresultsinanoveralladvancementofoneormoreofthegoalssetforthinthis sectionthatshouldmorethanoffsetanyadditionalburdencausedbytheincentive. Theseprovisionsarealsobasedontherecognitionthattheincentivecreatesan opportunitytoconsolidateoutdooradvertisingservicesthatwouldotherwiseremain distributedthroughoutMaplewood. ReductionofSignSurfaces (1)Apersonorsignoperatormayobtainaconditionalusepermitforadynamic displaysignononesurfaceofanexistingoff-premisessignifthefollowing requirementsaremet: (a)Theapplicantagreesinwritingtoreduceitsoff-premisesignsurfacesby onebypermanentlyremoving,within15daysafterissuanceofthepermit, onesurfaceofanoff-premisessigninthecitythatisownedorleasedby theapplicant,whichsignsurfacemustsatisfythecriteriaofparts(2) and(3)ofthissubsection.Thisremovalmustincludethecomplete removalofthestructureandfoundationsupportingeachremovedsign surface.Theapplicantmustagreethatthecitymayremovethesign surfaceiftheapplicantdoesnotdoso,andtheapplicationmustidentify thesignsurfacetoberemovedandbeaccompaniedbyacashdepositor letterofcreditacceptabletothecityattorneysufficienttopaythecitys costsforthatremoval.Theapplicantmustalsoagreethatitisremoving thesignsurfacevoluntarilyandthatithasnorighttocompensationfor theremovedsignsurfaceunderanylaw.Replacementofanexistingsign surfaceofanoff-premisessignwithadynamicdisplaysigndoesnot constitutearemovalofasignsurface. (b)Thecityhasnotpreviouslyissuedadynamicdisplaysignpermitbased ontheremovaloftheparticularsignsurfacerelieduponinthispermit application. (c)Iftheremovedsignsurfaceisonethatastatepermitisrequiredbystate law,theapplicantmustsurrenderitspermittothestateuponremovalof thesignsurface.Thesignthatisthesubjectofthedynamicdisplaysign permitcannotbegintooperateuntilthesignowneroroperatorprovides prooftothecitythatthestatepermithasbeensurrendered. (2)Iftheapplicantmeetsthepermitrequirementsnotedabove,thecitywillissuea dynamicdisplaysignpermitforthedesignatedoff-premisessign.Thispermitwill allowadynamicdisplaytooccupy100percentofthepotentialcopyandgraphic areaandtochangenomorefrequentlythanonceevery12seconds.The designatedsignmustmeetallotherrequirementsofthisordinance. g.BrightnessStandards. CommunityDesignReviewBoard 5 Minutes03-11-2008 (1)Citystaffshallapprovethefollowingbrightnessstandardsforalldynamicdisplay signs: (a)Nosignshallbebrighterthanisnecessaryforclearandadequate visibility. (b)Nosignshallbeofsuchintensityorbrillianceastoimpairthevisionofa motorvehicledriverwithaverageeyesightortootherwiseinterferewith thedriversoperationofamotorvehicle. (c)Nosignmaybeofsuchintensityorbrilliancethatitinterfereswiththe effectivenessofanofficialtrafficsign,deviceorsignal. (2)Thepersonowningorcontrollingthesignmustadjustthesigntomeetthe brightnessstandardsinaccordancewiththecitysinstructions.Theadjustment mustbemadewithinonehouruponnoticeofnon-compliancefromthecity. (3)Alldynamicdisplaysignsinstalledafter(inserttheeffectivedateofthis ordinance)willhaveilluminationbyameansotherthannaturallightmustbe equippedwithamechanismthatautomaticallyadjuststhebrightnessinresponse toambientconditions.Thesesignsmustalsobeequippedwithameansto immediatelyturnoffthedisplayorlightingifthesignmalfunctions,andthesign owneroroperatormustturnoffthesignorlightingwithinonehourafterbeing notifiedbythecitythatitisnotmeetingthestandardsofthissection. (4)Inadditiontothebrightnessstandardsrequiredabove,dynamicdisplaysigns shallmeetthecitysoutdoorlightingrequirements(section44-20(1)). BoardmemberOlsonseconded BoardmembersLedvinaandOlsonamendedthemotiontoaddthefollowingtothemotion: Prohibitanoff-sitesignthatadvertisesaproduct,event,person,institution,activity, business,serviceorsubjectlocatedonthepremise. Theboardvoted:Ayesall Themotionpassed. BoardmemberLedvinavolunteeredtorepresenttheboardattheplanningcommissionmeetingin Aprilregardingthisitem. Attachment3 MINUTESOFTHEMAPLEWOODPLANNINGCOMMISSION 1830COUNTYROADBEAST,MAPLEWOOD,MINNESOTA TUESDAY,APRIL1,2008 I.CALLTOORDER ChairpersonFischercalledthemeetingtoorderat7:00p.m. II.ROLLCALL CommissionerJosephBoeserPresent Vice-ChairpersonTusharDesaiPresent ChairpersonLorraineFischerPresent CommissionerHarlandHessPresent CommissionerRobertMartinPresent CommissionerGaryPearsonPresent CommissionerDaleTripplerPresent CommissionerJoeWaltonAbsent CommissionerJeremyYarwoodPresent StaffPresent: KenRoberts,Planner ShannFinwall,EnvironmentalPlanner TomEkstrand,CityPlanner III.APPROVALOFAGENDA CommissionerTripplermovedtoapprovetheagendaassubmitted. CommissionerHesssecondedAyes-all Themotionpassed. IV.APPROVALOFMINUTES a.March18,2008 CommissionerPearsonmovedapprovaloftheamendedminutesofMarch18,2008,amendingthe commentsofMr.Hessonpagetwo,paragraphone. CommissionerDesaisecondedAyesall Themotionpassed. V.PUBLICHEARING 7:04p.m.OrdinanceAmendmentSignCode PlannerShannFinwallpresentedthestaffreportanddiscussedtheLeagueofMinnesotaCities researchregardingon-sitedynamicdisplaysigns. Thecommissiondiscussedexemptingpublicsafetysignsfromthisdynamicsigncode. PlanningCommission-2- Minutesof04-01-08 CommissionerYarwoodsaidhehasconcernswiththelanguageinthefindingssectionofthecode regardingdistractionofdriversleadingtotrafficaccidentsandtheliabilitytothecity. CommissionerTripplersuggestedseveralmodificationstoclarifylanguageinthecode.Mr.Trippler suggestedthatthetwelve-seconddisplaychangeforoff-sitesignsisnotlongenoughandshouldbe atleastaminute.Mr.Tripplersuggestedaddinglanguagetothebrightnessstandardssectionstating thatcitystaffhasthesoleauthoritytoapproveanddeterminecompliancewiththefollowing brightnessstandardsforalldynamicsigns.Mr.TrippleralsosuggestedaddingaclausehPublic Safetystatingthatintheeventofatrafficaccidentfoundtobecausedbyadriversdistractionbya dynamicsign,thedynamicsignwhichwasthecauseofthesaiddistractionandaccidentshallbe removedpermanentlywithinthirtydays.Nootherdynamicsignsshallbepermittedwithin1,000feet ofthatlocation. Thecommissiondiscussedpoliticalsignagerequirementsandthestaterequirementsforpolitical signs. Thepublichearingwasopenedforcommentsfromthepublic.Therewerenocomments;thepublic hearingwasclosed. CommissionerHesssaidhefavorseightratherthantwelvesecondschangeovertimeforoff-site dynamicsigns,sincedriversmaybedistractedbywaitingforthesigntochange. CommissionerYarwoodsuggestedlanguagebeaddedtoallowcitystafftodeterminewhethera signspropertiesorlocationisasafetyhazard,thatstaffhastherighttomakethatdeterminationand toaddressthesafetyconcern. CommissionerBoesersaidhefavorsnotregulatingthedynamicsignswithanyparticulardisplay changetimesincehefeelsthecodewillnotbeenforceable,butratherallowingdynamicdisplaysigns onlyiftheyremainstatic. CommissionerTripplersaidhefeelsdynamicsignsareinstalledtoattractdriversattentionawayfrom drivingandhefeelsthisiswrongandhewillnotvoteinfavorofallowingthesesigns. CommissionerPearsonsaidheisinfavorofprohibitingon-sitedynamicsignssincehefeelsitwillbe doneonafirst-come,first-servebasisaccordingtosetbacksandwillbeadifficultcodetoregulate. Mr.Pearsonsaidhefeelstheproposedon-sitedynamiccodeshouldbedeniedandcontinue regulationwiththeexistingon-sitecode. CommissionerTripplermovedtheplanningcommissionrecommendtothecitycouncilthatthey prohibiton-siteandoff-sitedynamicdisplaysignsintheCityofMaplewood,butthosesignsthatarein placebegrandfatheredin. CommissionerPearsonsecondedAyesFischer,Hess,Pearson,Trippler,Yarwood NaysBoeser,Desai,Martin Themotionpassed. PlanningCommission-3- Minutesof04-01-08 CommissionerTripplermovedtheplanningcommissionrecommendtothecitycouncilthatifthecity councildoesallowdynamicdisplaysignsinthecitythattheyshouldusetheordinanceas recommendedbythecommunitydesignreviewboardwithadditionsanddeletionsasdescribedby theplanningcommissionduringthemeetingincludingexemptingpublicsafetysignsfromthe ordinance,removinglanguageinthefindingssectionwhichrefertothecorrelationbetweendynamic displaysigns,driverdistraction,andtrafficaccidents,andaddingapublicsafetyconditionwhich wouldallowstafftorequesttheremovalofadynamicdisplaysignifthesignwasfoundtobea hazard. CommissionerFischersecondedAyesDesai,Fischer,Hess,Pearson,Trippler, Yarwood NaysBoeser AbstentionMartin Themotionpassed. Attachment7 CityofEagan DynamicDisplaySignOrdinance AdoptedOctober2,2007 Findings. 1.Studiesshowthatthereisacorrelationbetweendynamicdisplayson signsandthedistractionofhighwaydrivers.Distractioncanleadtotrafficaccidents.Driverscan bedistractednotonlybyachangingmessage,butalsobyknowingthatthesignhasachanging message.Driversmaywatchasignwaitingforthenextchangetooccur.Driversarealso distractedbymessagesthatdonottellthefullstoryinonelook.Peoplehaveanaturaldesireto seetheendofthestoryandwillcontinuetolookatthesigninordertowaitfortheend. Additionally,driversaremoredistractedbyspecialeffectsusedtochangethemessage,suchas fade-insandfade-outs.Finally,driversaregenerallymoredistractedbymessagesthataretoo smalltobeclearlyseenorthatcontainmorethanasimplemessage.Timeandtemperaturesigns appeartobeanexceptiontotheseconcernsbecausethemessagesareshort,easilyabsorbed,and becomeinaccuratewithoutfrequentchanges. Despitethesepublicsafetyconcerns,thereismerittoallowingnewtechnologiestoeasily updatemessages.Exceptasprohibitedbystateorfederallaw,signownersshouldhavethe opportunitytousethesetechnologieswithcertainrestrictions.Therestrictionsareintendedto minimizepotentialdriverdistractionandtominimizeproliferationinresidentialdistrictswhere signscanadverselyimpactresidentialcharacter. Localspacingrequirementscouldinterferewiththeequalopportunitytousesuch technologiesandarenotincluded.Withoutthoserequirements,however,thereisthepotential fornumerousdynamicdisplaystoexistalonganyroadway.Ifmorethanonedynamicdisplay canbeseenfromagivenlocationonaroad,theminimumdisplaytimebecomescritical.Ifthe displaytimeistooshort,adrivercouldbesubjectedtoaviewthatappearstohaveconstant movement.Thisimpactwouldobviouslybecompoundedinacorridorwithmultiplesigns.If dynamicdisplaysbecomepervasiveandtherearenomeaningfullimitationsoneachsigns abilitytochangefrequently,driversmaybesubjectedtoanunsafedegreeofdistractionand sensoryoverload.Therefore,alongerdisplaytimeisappropriate. Aconstantmessageistypicallyneededonasignsothatthepubliccanuseittoidentify andfindanintendeddestination.Changingmessagesdetractfromthisway-findingpurposeand couldadverselyaffectdrivingconductthroughlast-secondlanechanges,stops,orturns,which couldresultintrafficaccidents.Accordingly,dynamicdisplaysgenerallyshouldnotbeallowed tooccupytheentirecopyandgraphicareaofasign. Inconclusion,thecityfindsthatdynamicdisplaysshouldbeallowedonsignsbutwith significantcontrolstominimizetheirproliferationandtheirpotentialthreatstopublicsafety. 2.Dynamicdisplaysignmeansanysign,exceptgovernmentalsigns,withdynamic displaycharacteristicsthatappeartohavemovementorthatappeartochange,causedbyany methodotherthanphysicallyremovingandreplacingthesignoritscomponents,whetherthe apparentmovementorchangeisinthedisplay,thesignstructureitself,oranyothercomponent ofthesign.Thisincludesadisplaythatincorporatesatechnologyormethodallowingthesign surfacetochangetheimagewithouthavingtophysicallyormechanicallyreplacethesign 1 surfaceoritscomponents.Thisalsoincludesanyrotating,revolving,moving,flashing,blinking, oranimateddisplayandanydisplaythatincorporatesrotatingpanels,LEDlightsmanipulated throughdigitalinput,"digitalink"oranyothermethodortechnologythatallowsthesignsurface topresentaseriesofimagesordisplays. 3.Dynamicdisplaysignsareallowedsubjecttothefollowingconditions: (a)Dynamicdisplaysignsaresubordinatetooff-premisessigns,monumentand pylonsigns,andbusinesssigns.Dynamicdisplaysmustnotbethepredominantfeature ofthesignsurface.Theremainderofthesignmustnothavethecapabilitytohave dynamicdisplaysevenifnotused.Dynamicdisplaysignsareallowedonlyon monumentandpylonsignsforconditionallypermittedusesinresidentialdistrictsandfor allusesinotherdistricts,subjecttotherequirementsofthisSection11.70.Onlyone, contiguousdynamicdisplayareaisallowedonasignsurface; (b)Adynamicdisplaymaynotchangeormovemoreoftenthanonceevery20 minutes,exceptoneforwhichchangesarenecessarytocorrecthour-and-minute,date,or temperatureinformation.Time,date,ortemperatureinformationisconsideredone dynamicdisplayandmaynotbeincludedasacomponentofanyotherdynamicdisplay. Adisplayoftime,date,ortemperaturemustremainforatleast20minutesbefore changingtoadifferentdisplay,butthetime,date,ortemperatureinformationitselfmay changenomoreoftenthanonceeverythreeseconds; (c)Theimagesandmessagesdisplayedmustbestatic,andthetransitionfrom onestaticdisplaytoanothermustbeinstantaneouswithoutanyspecialeffects; (d)Theimagesandmessagesdisplayedmustbecompleteinthemselves,without continuationincontenttothenextimageormessageortoanyothersign; (e)Everylineofcopyandgraphicsinadynamicdisplaymustbeatleastseven inchesinheightonaroadwithaspeedlimitof25to34milesperhour,nineinchesona roadwithaspeedlimitof35to44milesperhour,12inchesonaroadwithaspeedlimit of45to54milesperhour,and15inchesonaroadwithaspeedlimitof55milesper hourormore.Ifthereisinsufficientroomforcopyandgraphicsofthissizeinthearea allowedunderclause(a)above,thennodynamicdisplayisallowed; (f)Dynamicdisplaysignsmustbedesignedandequippedtofreezethedevicein onepositionifamalfunctionoccurs.Thedisplaysmustalsobeequippedwithameansto immediatelydiscontinuethedisplayifitmalfunctions,andthesignownermust immediatelystopthedynamicdisplaywhennotifiedbythecitythatitisnotcomplying withthestandardsofthisordinance; (g)Dynamicdisplaysignsmustcomplywiththebrightnessstandardscontained insubdivisionLbelow; (h)Dynamicdisplaysignsexistingon(inserttheeffectivedateofthisordinance) mustcomplywiththeoperationalstandardslistedabove.Anexistingdynamicdisplay thatdoesnotmeetthestructuralrequirementsinclause(b)maycontinueasanonconforming developmentsubjecttosection(insertordinancesectionnumber).An existingdynamicdisplaythatcannotmeettheminimumsizerequirementinclause(e) mustusethelargestsizepossibleforonelineofcopytofitintheavailablespace. 2 (i)Exceptions.Recognizingthatsomedynamicdisplays,suchasthoseusedin pointofsaledispensers,interactivevendingmachinesandATMs,oftenneedtochange imagesmorefrequentlythandefinedbythisordinanceinordertoperformtheirintended functionandthatsuchimagechangescanoccurinamannerinwhichtheydonotcreate distractionsfordrivers,dynamicdisplayswithatotalareaoflessthan160squareinches atanypointofsaledispenser,interactivevendingmachinesorATMmaybefully animated,providedtheydonotflashorblinkinamannerclearlyvisiblefromthe roadwayandprovidedtheyeithermeetorexceedthebuildingsetbacksforthezoning districtinwhichtheyarelocatedorareatleast30fromthepublicrightofway, whicheverisgreater. . 4.IncentivesOff-premisessignsdonotneedtoservethesameway-findingfunctionas doon-premisessigns;theyarerestrictedinnumberbythecity;andtheyareinthemselves distractingandtheirremovalservespublicsafety.Thisclauseisintendedtoprovideanincentive optionforthevoluntaryanduncompensatedremovalofoff-premisessignsincertainsettings. Thisremovalresultsinanoveralladvancementofoneormoreofthegoalssetforthinthis sectionthatshouldmorethanoffsetanyadditionalburdencausedbytheincentives.These provisionsarealsobasedontherecognitionthattheincentivescreateanopportunityto consolidateoutdooradvertisingservicesthatwouldotherwiseremaindistributedthroughoutthe communityandexpandthefunctionofoff-premisessignstoserveapublicpurposebyproviding communityandpublicservicemessages. A.IncentiveOptionAReductionofSignSurfaces (a)Apersonmayobtainapermitforanenhanceddynamicdisplaysignonone surfaceofanexistingoff-premisessignifthefollowingrequirementsaremet: (i)Theapplicantagreesinwritingtoreduceitsoff-premisessignsurfaces byonebypermanentlyremoving,within15daysafterissuanceofthepermit,one surfaceofanoff-premisessigninthecitythatisownedorleasedbytheapplicant andisdepictedintableA(whichfollowsthissection),whichsignsurfacemust satisfythecriteriaofparts(ii)and(iii)ofthissubsection.Thisremovalmust includethecompleteremovalofthestructureandfoundationsupportingeach removedsignsurface.Theapplicantmustagreethatthecitymayremovethesign surfaceiftheapplicantdoesnottimelydoso,andtheapplicationmustidentify thesignsurfacetoberemovedandbeaccompaniedbyacashdepositorletterof creditacceptabletothecityattorneysufficienttopaythecityscostsforthat removal.Theapplicantmustalsoagreethatitisremovingthesignsurface voluntarilyandthatithasnorighttocompensationfortheremovedsignsurface underanylaw.Replacementofanexistingsignsurfaceofanoff-premisessign withanenhanceddynamicdisplaysigndoesnotconstitutearemovalofasign surface. (ii)Thecityhasnotpreviouslyissuedadynamicdisplaysignpermit basedontheremovaloftheparticularsignsurfacerelieduponinthispermit application. (iii)Iftheremovedsignsurfaceisoneforwhichastatepermitis requiredbystatelaw,theapplicantmustsurrendereditspermittothestateupon removalofthesignsurface.Thesignthatisthesubjectofthedynamicdisplay 3 signpermitcannotbegintooperateuntilproofisprovidedtothecitythatthestate permithasbeensurrendered. (b)Iftheapplicantcomplieswiththepermitrequirementsnotedabove,thecity willissueanenhanceddynamicdisplaysignpermitforthedesignatedoff-premisessign. Thispermitwillallowadynamicdisplaytooccupy100percentofthepotentialcopyand graphicareaandtochangenomorefrequentlythanonceeveryeightseconds.The designatedsignmustmeetallotherrequirementsofthisordinance. B.IncentiveOptionBProvisionofCommunityandPublicServiceMessaging (a)Apersonmayobtainapermitforanenhanceddynamicdisplaysignonone surfaceofanexistingoff-premisessignifthefollowingrequirementsaremet: (i)Theenhanceddynamicdisplaysignreplacesanexistingsurfaceofan existingoff-premisessign; (ii)Thecityhasnotpreviouslyissuedadynamicdisplaysignpermit basedonthereplacementoftheparticularsignsurfacerelieduponinthispermit application. (iii)Theapplicantshallenterintoanagreementwiththecitytoprovideto thecitynolessthan5hours(2250eight-secondspots)permonthperenhanced dynamicdisplaysigninthecityforcommunityandpublicservicemessagesat suchtimesasshallbedeterminedbythecity. (b)Iftheapplicantcomplieswiththepermitrequirementsnotedabove,thecity willissueanenhanceddynamicdisplaysignpermitforthedesignatedoff-premisessign. Thispermitwillallowadynamicdisplaytooccupy100percentofthepotentialcopyand graphicareaandtochangenomorefrequentlythanonceeveryeightseconds.The designatedsignmustmeetallotherrequirementsofthisordinance. L.BrightnessStandards. 1.Allsignsmustmeetthefollowingbrightnessstandards: (a)Nosignmaybebrighterthanisnecessaryforclearandadequatevisibility. (b)Nosignmaybeofsuchintensityorbrillianceastoimpairthevisionofa motorvehicledriverwithaverageeyesightortootherwiseinterferewiththedrivers operationofamotorvehicle. (c)Nosignmaybeofsuchintensityorbrilliancethatitinterfereswiththe effectivenessofanofficialtrafficsign,deviceorsignal. 2.Thepersonowningorcontrollingthesignmustadjustthesigntomeetthebrightness standardsinaccordancewiththecitysinstructions.Theadjustmentmustbemadeimmediately uponnoticeofnon-compliancefromthecity.Thepersonowningorcontrollingthesignmay appealthecitysdeterminationthroughthefollowingappealprocedure: (a)Aftermakingtheadjustmentrequiredbythecity,thepersonowningor controllingthesignmayappealthecitysdeterminationbydeliveringawrittenappealto 4 thecityclerkwithin10daysafterthecitysnon-compliancenotice.Thewrittenappeal mustincludethenameofapersonunrelatedtothepersonandbusinessmakingthe appeal,whowillserveontheappealpanel. (b)Withinfivebusinessdaysafterreceivingtheappeal,thecitymustnamea personwhoisnotanofficialoremployeeofthecitytoserveontheappealpanel.Within fivebusinessdaysafterthecitynamesitsrepresentative,thecitysrepresentativemust contactthesignownersrepresentative,andthetwoofthemmustappointathirdmember tothepanel,whohasnorelationshiptoeitherparty. (c)Theappealpanelmaydevelopitsownrulesofprocedure,butitmustholda hearingwithinfivebusinessdaysafterthethirdmemberisappointed.Thecityandthe signownermustbegiventheopportunitytopresenttestimony,andthepanelmayhold thehearing,oraportionofit,atthesignlocation.Thepanelmustissueitsdecisionon whatlevelofbrightnessisneededtomeetthebrightnessstandardswithinfivebusiness daysafterthehearingcommences.Thedecisionwillbebindingonbothparties. 3.Allsignsinstalledafter(inserttheeffectivedateofthisordinance)thatwillhave illuminationbyameansotherthannaturallightmustbeequippedwithamechanismthat automaticallyadjuststhebrightnessinresponsetoambientconditions.Thesesignsmustalsobe equippedwithameanstoimmediatelyturnoffthedisplayorlightingifitmalfunctions,andthe signowneroroperatormustimmediatelyturnoffthesignorlightingwhennotifiedbythecity thatitisnotcomplyingwiththestandardsinthissection. 5 Attachment10 CommunityDesignReviewBoardandPlanningCommissionDynamic DisplaySignOrdinanceRecommendations April1,2008 1.Amendtheprohibitedsigncodeatsection44-737asfollows: Signsthatarenotspecificallypermittedinthisarticleareherebyprohibited.The followingsignsarespecificallyprohibited: (3)Signsthathaveblinking,flashingorflutteringlights.Signsthatgive publicserviceinformation,suchastimeandtemperatureareexempt. 2.Amendthetemporarysigncodeatsection44-807asfollows: (i)Temporarysignswithblinking,flashing,orflutteringlightsorwithdynamic displaysareprohibited. 3.Amendthecomprehensivesignplancodeatsection44-736asfollows: Acomprehensivesignplanshallbeprovidedforthefollowing:(1) businesspremiseswhichoccupytheentirefrontageinoneormoreblock frontsorforthewholeofashoppingcenterorsimilardevelopmenthaving fiveormoretenantsintheproject;(2)dynamicdisplaywallsigns;and(3) sharedsigns.Suchaplan,whichshallincludethelocation,size,heights, color,lightingandorientationofallsigns,shallbesubmittedfor preliminaryplanapprovalbythecity.;providedthat,ifsuch comprehensiveplanispresented,eExceptionstothesigncodeschedule regulationsofthisarticlemaybepermittedinthesignareasanddensities fortheplanasawholeifthesignsareinconformitywiththeintentofthis article,andifsuchexceptionsresultsinanimprovedrelationshipbetween thevariouspartsoftheplan,andencouragesandpromotestheremoval ofnonconformingsignsthroughtheuseofsharedsigns.Comprehensive signplansshallbereviewedbythecommunitydesignreviewboard.The applicant,staffandcitycouncilmayappealthecommunitydesignreview boardsdecision.Anappealshallbepresentedtocitystaffwithin15days ofthecommunitydesignreviewboardsdecisiontobeconsideredbythe citycouncil. 4.Adoptanoff-siteandon-sitedynamicdisplaysignordinanceasfollows(text underlinedhasbeenaddedtotheproposedoff-sitedynamicdisplaysigncode amendmentwhichwasoriginallyrecommendedforapprovalbytheCDRBand planningcommissiononNovember27andDecember24,2007): a.Findings.Studiesshowthatthereisacorrelationbetweendynamic displaysonsignsandthedistractionofhighwaydrivers.Distractionof driverscanleadtotrafficaccidents.Driverscanbedistractednotonlyby achangingmessage,butalsobyknowingthatthesignhasachanging message.Insuchacase,driversmaywatchasignwaitingforthenext changetooccur.Driversalsoaredistractedbymessagesthatdonottell thefullstoryinonelook.Peoplehaveanaturaldesiretoseetheendof thestoryandwillcontinuetolookatthesigninordertowaitfortheend. Additionally,driverscouldbemoredistractedbyspecialeffectsusedto changethemessage,suchasfade-insandfade-outs.Finally,driversare generallymoredistractedbymessagesthataretoosmalltobeclearly seenorthatcontainmorethanasimplemessage.Timeandtemperature signsappeartobeanexceptiontotheseconcernsbecausethe messagesareshort,easilyabsorbedbythoseobservingthem,andare onlyaccuratewithfrequentchanges. DuetoDespitethesepublicsafetyconcerns,thereismerittoallowing newtechnologiestoeasilyupdatemessages.Exceptasprohibitedby stateorfederallaw,signownersshouldhavetheopportunitytothecity shouldonlyallowtheusethesetechnologieswithcertainrestrictions.The restrictionsareintendedtominimizepotentialdriverdistraction,to minimizetheirproliferationinresidentialdistrictswheresignscan adverselyimpactresidentialcharacter,andtoprotectthepublichealth, safety,andwelfare. Localspacingrequirementscouldinterferewiththeequalopportunityof signownerstousesuchtechnologiesandarenotincluded.Withoutthose requirements,however,thereisthepotentialfornumerousdynamic displaystoexistalonganyroadway.Ifmorethanonedynamicdisplay canbeseenfromagivenlocationonaroad,theminimumdisplaytime becomescritical.Ifthedisplaytimeistooshort,adrivercouldbe subjectedtoaviewthatappearstohaveconstantmovement.Thisimpact ondriverswouldbecompoundedinatrafficcorridorwithmultiplesigns.If dynamicdisplaysbecomepervasiveandtherearenomeaningful limitationsoneachsignsabilitytochangefrequently,driversmaybe subjectedtoanunsafedegreeofdistractionandsensoryoverload. Therefore,requiringalongerdisplaytimeondynamicsignsisinthe publicinterest. Aconstantmessageistypicallyneededonasignsothatthepubliccan useittoidentifyandfindanintendeddestination.Changingmessages detractfromthisway-findingpurposeandcouldadverselyaffectdriving conductthroughlast-secondlanechanges,stops,orturns,allofwhich couldresultintrafficaccidents. Inconclusion,theCityofMaplewoodfindsthatdynamicdisplaysshould beallowedonoffandon-premisesignsbutwithsignificantcontrolsto minimizetheirproliferationandtheirpotentialthreatstopublichealth, safety,andwelfare. b.Dynamicdisplaysignmeansanysigndesignedforoutdoorusethatis capableofdisplayingavideosignal,including,butnotlimitedto,cathode- raytubes(CRTs),light-emittingdiode(LED)displays,plasmadisplays, liquid-crystaldisplays(LCDs),orothertechnologiesusedincommercially availabletelevisionsorcomputermonitors.Signswiththistechnology whichareusedforlife/safetyissues,suchastrafficcontrolsigns,are exemptfromthisordinance. 2 c.Standardsforalldynamicdisplaysigns: (1)Theimagesandmessagesdisplayedonthesignmustbe completeinthemselves,withoutcontinuationincontenttothenext imageormessageortoanyothersign; (2)Everylineofcopyandgraphicsinadynamicdisplaymustbeat leastseveninchesinheightonaroadwithaspeedlimitof25to 34milesperhour,nineinchesonaroadwithaspeedlimitof35to 44milesperhour,12inchesonaroadwithaspeedlimitof45to 54milesperhour,and15inchesonaroadwithaspeedlimitof 55milesperhourormore. (3)Dynamicdisplaysignsmustbedesignedandequippedtofreeze thedeviceinonepositionifamalfunctionoccurs.Thedisplays mustalsobeequippedwithameanstodiscontinuethedisplayifit malfunctions,andthesignownermuststopthedynamicdisplay withinonehourofbeingnotifiedbythecitythatitisnotmeeting thestandardsofthisordinance; (4)Dynamicdisplaysignsmustmeetthebrightnessstandards containedinsubdivisiong.below; (5)Dynamicdisplaysignsexistingon(inserttheeffectivedateofthis ordinance)mustcomplywiththeoperationalstandardslisted above. d.On-sitedynamicdisplaysignsareallowedsubjecttothefollowing additionalconditions: (1)LocatedintheBusinessCommercial(BC)orHeavyorLight Industrial(M-2andM-1)zoningdistrictsonly. (2)Theimagesandmessagesdisplayedontheon-premisedynamic displaysignmustbestaticandeachdisplaymustbemaintained foraminimumof10minutes;andthetransitionfromonestatic displaytoanothermustbeinstantaneouswithoutanyspecial effects; (3)Areallowedaspartofapermanentfreestandingsign,provided thatthesigncomprisesnomorethan50percentofthetotal squarefootageofsaidsignface. (4)Mustbelocatedatleast200feetfromanyresidentiallanduse districtonwhichthereexistsstructuresusedforresidential purposesoranyresidentialstructure;orfromanyparkoropen spacelandusedistrict. (5)Mustbelocatedatleast100feetfromanysidepropertyline. (6)Displayandadvertisementofproducts,events,persons, institutions,activities,businesses,services,orsubjectswhichare locatedonthepremisesonlyorwhichgivepublicservice information. 3 e.Off-sitedynamicdisplaysignsareallowedsubjecttothefollowing additionalconditions: (1)Adynamicdisplaysignisallowedbyconditionalusepermit approvedbythecitycouncil. (2)Theimagesandmessagesdisplayedonthesignmustbestatic andeachdisplaymustbemaintainedforaminimumof12 seconds,andthetransitionfromonestaticdisplaytoanothermust beinstantaneouswithoutanyspecialeffects; f.Incentive.Off-premisessignsdonotneedtoservethesameway-finding functionasdoon-premisessignsandtheyaredistractingandtheir removalservesthepublichealth,safety,andwelfare.Thisclauseis intendedtoprovideanincentiveoptionforthevoluntaryand uncompensatedremovalofoff-premisesignsincertainsettings.This signremovalresultsinanoveralladvancementofoneormoreofthe goalssetforthinthissectionthatshouldmorethanoffsetanyadditional burdencausedbytheincentive.Theseprovisionsarealsobasedonthe recognitionthattheincentivecreatesanopportunitytoconsolidate outdooradvertisingservicesthatwouldotherwiseremaindistributed throughoutMaplewood. ReductionofSignSurfaces (1)Apersonorsignoperatormayobtainaconditionalusepermitfor adynamicdisplaysignononesurfaceofanexistingoff-premises signifthefollowingrequirementsaremet: (a)Theapplicantagreesinwritingtoreduceitsoff-premise signsurfacesbyonebypermanentlyremoving,within15 daysafterissuanceofthepermit,onesurfaceofanoff- premisessigninthecitythatisownedorleasedbythe applicant,whichsignsurfacemustsatisfythecriteriaof parts(2)and(3)ofthissubsection.Thisremovalmust includethecompleteremovalofthestructureand foundationsupportingeachremovedsignsurface.The applicantmustagreethatthecitymayremovethesign surfaceiftheapplicantdoesnotdoso,andtheapplication mustidentifythesignsurfacetoberemovedandbe accompaniedbyacashdepositorletterofcredit acceptabletothecityattorneysufficienttopaythecitys costsforthatremoval.Theapplicantmustalsoagreethat itisremovingthesignsurfacevoluntarilyandthatithasno righttocompensationfortheremovedsignsurfaceunder anylaw.Replacementofanexistingsignsurfaceofanoff- premisessignwithadynamicdisplaysigndoesnot constitutearemovalofasignsurface. (b)Thecityhasnotpreviouslyissuedadynamicdisplaysign permitbasedontheremovaloftheparticularsignsurface relieduponinthispermitapplication. 4 (c)Iftheremovedsignsurfaceisonethatastatepermitis requiredbystatelaw,theapplicantmustsurrenderits permittothestateuponremovalofthesignsurface.The signthatisthesubjectofthedynamicdisplaysignpermit cannotbegintooperateuntilthesignowneroroperator providesprooftothecitythatthestatepermithasbeen surrendered. (2)Iftheapplicantmeetsthepermitrequirementsnotedabove,the citywillissueadynamicdisplaysignpermitforthedesignatedoff- premisessign.Thispermitwillallowadynamicdisplaytooccupy 100percentofthepotentialcopyandgraphicareaandtochange nomorefrequentlythanonceevery12seconds.Thedesignated signmustmeetallotherrequirementsofthisordinance. g.BrightnessStandards. (1)Citystaffshallhavesoleauthoritytoapprovethefollowing brightnessstandardsforalldynamicdisplaysigns: (a)Nosignshallbebrighterthanisnecessaryforclearand adequatevisibility. (b)Nosignshallbeofsuchintensityorbrillianceastoimpair thevisionofamotorvehicledriverwithaverageeyesight ortootherwiseinterferewiththedriversoperationofa motorvehicle. (c)Nosignmaybeofsuchintensityorbrilliancethatit interfereswiththeeffectivenessofanofficialtrafficsign, deviceorsignal. (2)Thepersonowningorcontrollingthesignmustadjustthesignto meetthebrightnessstandardsinaccordancewiththecitys instructions.Theadjustmentmustbemadewithinonehourupon noticeofnon-compliancefromthecity. (3)Alldynamicdisplaysignsinstalledafter(inserttheeffectivedateof thisordinance)willhaveilluminationbyameansotherthan naturallightmustbeequippedwithamechanismthat automaticallyadjuststhebrightnessinresponsetoambient conditions.Thesesignsmustalsobeequippedwithameansto immediatelyturnoffthedisplayorlightingifthesignmalfunctions, andthesignowneroroperatormustturnoffthesignorlighting withinonehourafterbeingnotifiedbythecitythatitisnotmeeting thestandardsofthissection. (4)Inadditiontothebrightnessstandardsrequiredabove,dynamic displaysignsshallmeetthecitysoutdoorlightingrequirements (section44-20(1)). 5 h.PublicSafety.Ifcitystaffdeterminesthatadynamicdisplaysignisa safetyhazardduetoitslocationordisplaycapabilities,citystaffcan requirethatthesignbemoved,removed,ormodifiedafternoticetothe propertyowner. 6 Agenda Item E1 Bill Schreiner 4. As a Maplewood resident who lives in close proximity to Maplewood nature and wildlife areas, I have a strong respect for the value of these areas. I have watched some areas become degraded and see a need to become involved in the protection of our natural resources. My background includes training in environmental cleanup under a program affiliated with both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Pollution Control Agency. 5. Development of educational programs and materials for the general public to promote and protect the area resources. As a consultant and educator for the Minnesota Safety Council, I possess a strong background in the design and creation of literature and brochures and have created many educational programs using a variety of resources including film and Power Point presentations. G. Although not currently involved in any Maplewood activities, my background of involvement in various organizations includes: Commodore — Saint Croix Yacht Club Past Commodore — Kings Cove Yacht Club Boating Safety Instructor — US Power Squadron Travel Hockey Coach — City of Burnsville Girls Softball Coach - Burnsville President — Burnsville Hockey Boosters Vice- President — Airlake Aero Flying Club Governors Council for Motorcycle Safety Board of Directors — MN Motorcycle Riders Assn. Member — Minnesota Trucking Association Former Member — St. Paul/East Metro Chamber of Commerce