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MemoElectronic SignsMEMORANDUM DATE: January 18, 1989 TO: Zoning & Planning Commission FROM: Nancy S. Anderson f(3,1 SUBJECT: Electronic Signs Enclosed are two ordinances, one submitted by the applicant and the second written by me I used the applicants ordinance as a guide to write mine. Both ordinances are before you for your review. These ordinances are in a preliminary stage only and probably to be revised several times before a final draft is written. Please review both ordinances and have any comments ready for discussion at the meeting. There are only a few differences between my ordinance and the applicants. My ordinance refers to electronic message signs as changeable signs. Also, I have formatted the ordinance a little different and omitted the section on blinking and flashing. I think that the definition of changeable sign applies better to these types of signs than a term of electronic message signs. I also added a definition for a time and temperature sign. Basically, the ordinances are the same with the few differences noted above. A pp c arvk 01- & C Q PROPOSED ORDINANCE Section 1. That the code of ordinance of the City of Hopkins be amended by adding subsection 570.50 and 570.51. DEFINITIONS 570.50. Sign, electronic message. A sign such as an electrically controlled public service time, temperature and date sign, or automatic changing sign where different copy changes are shown on the light bank. 570.51. Sign, flashing. Any sign which contains a continously intermittent or sequential light source, or which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of an ex- ternally mounted intermittent light source. Electronic message signs such as public service time, temperature and date signs or electronically controlled message centers are not classified as flashing signs. Section 2. That the code of ordinances of the City of Hopkins be amended by revising subsections ? 570.25 to read as follows: A. Blinking and flashing. Movement showing the date, time and temp exclusively shall be permitted on any allowable sign blink- ing, flashing, pulsating or fluttering lights or other illumi- nated devices which have a changing light shall per permitted on flat wall signs or places of businesses and shall not be located closer then150' or face any residential district. Section 3. That the code of ordinances of the City of Hopkins be amended by adding subsection (B) to section 570.25 to read as follows: B. Electronic message signs. Any permitted sign may be, or may include, as an individual component of the total allowable signs area, electronic message signs except that such signs displaying a flashing or traveling message are prohibited. Electronic messages or graphic displays may be charged at periodic intervals by various entry and exit display modes provided that the maximum message time or 20 seconds with 10 display frame per sequence limiting sign to 3 messages a day, not including time and temp. Where such signs are proposed along a major arterial street or within 150 ft. of a traffic signal light, the sign permit shall be reviewed by planning and zoning and traffic engineering to consider the proposed location, design and hold time. The design review shall result in a recommendation that may be appealed to the board of adjustment for further consideration. Section 4. That the code of ordinances of the City of Hopkins be amended by adding subsection "C" to section 570.25 to read as as follows: C. That reading message centers on flat walls be allowed 50' above grade where applicable. 570.01 Subdiv. 4 Sign - Automatic Changing Sign. A sign such as an electronically or electrically controlled public service time, temperature and date sign, message center or readerboard, where different copy changes are shown on the same lamp bank. Automatic changing signs such as public service time, temperature and date signs or electronically controlled message centers are classed as changing signs, not flashing signs. Subdiv. 11 Sign - Wall. A sign attached to or erected against a wall of a building, with the face horizontally parallel to the building wall. Sign - Time /Temperature. An electronically controlled sign that is limited to the time and temperature 570.51 Changing Signs. Changing signs are allowed in the B -3, and industrial zoning districts provided: a) that all changing signs are wall signs b) that all changing signs are located at least 150 feet from any residential district. c) any changeable sign will be included in the total allowable sign area. d) electronic messages maybe changed at periodic intervals by various entry and exit display modes provided that the maximum message time is 20 seconds with a 10 display frame per sequence. The message is limited to 3 per day not including time and temperature e) where changeable signs are proposed along a major arterial street or within 150 feet of a traffic signal light, the sign permit shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and Director of Engineering to consider the proposed location, design and hold time. f) On -re trit'� 570.52 Tim emperature Sign. Time and temperature signs are allowed in the B -2 districts provided: a) that all time /temperature signs are wall signs. 570.45 Height. The top of a sign, including its superstructure, if any, shall be no higher than six feet above the roof of the building to which such sign may be attached or 35 feet above ground level, whichever height is less; except that the height of any name plate sign or changeable sign which is attached to or an integral part of a functional structure, such as a water tower, smoke stack, radio or TV transmitting tower, or similar structure shall be no higher than such structure. Signs, including and superstructure standing or erected free of any building or other structure, shall not exceed an overall height of 35 feet from ground level and shall be located on land in an area which is landscaped, or if such land is part of an approved parking area, it shall be surfaced or paved as required in the zoning code.