Memo- Electronic SignsMEMO
To: City Council / Zoning and Planning Commission
From: Nancy Anderson
Date: February 4, 2010
Subject: Electronic signs
The City has received an application for a zoning amendment from Holiday Companies
for an electronic message center below the gas price sign. Although Holiday wants to
change their sign, the amendment would affect more than their location. Holiday
currently has a manually changeable sign on their pylon at the southwest corner of
Excelsior Boulevard and 11 Avenue South.
Holiday has submitted a proposed amendment, and it is narrowly focused on permitting
this type of signage with limitations in the B -3 zoning district. In thinking about an
amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, there may be other applications in the City, such
as the Pavilion, where an electronic sign may be appropriate.
The existing sign ordinance states the following: "Changeable copy sign — a sign or
portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or
rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. Changeable copy signs
do not include signs upon which characters, letters or illustrations change or rearrange
only once in a 24 -hour period."
Holiday could put up an electronic message center that allowed the sign to change once
in a 24 -hour period. Holiday is proposing that the sign change every eight seconds.
Attached is the proposed language from Holiday.
Some discussion topics
• Does the City want electronic changeable signs in the City?
• If so, how fast should the signs change?
• If the signs are allowed, what zoning districts?
• If the signs are allowed, should they be allowed only on State and County Roads,
not zoning districts?
Attachment
Proposed Amendment to Allow More Frequent Change of Messages on
Electronic Message Centers 1/22/10
A. Definition
Sign with dynamic display, dynamic changeable copy sign. An electronic changeable copy sign capable of displaying
and by remote or automatic means changing or rearranging the words, symbols, figures or images it displays. An
Electronic Message Center.
B. Location
District A site within the B -3 district with frontage on a state or county highway
Frontage on a public street or streets At least 300 ft.
Extent of Commercial /Industrial district (assuring a commercial context)
Commercial or industrial zoning districts must extend at least 500 ft along the side of the roadway the dynamic sign
is located on and oriented to.
Location on the site.
1. The dynamic sign may be located on a freestanding sign
2. The face or display of the dynamic sign must be perpendicular to the boundary of any adjoining residential
district.
C. Number and area of dynamic signs
1. Number of dynamic signs. There shall not be more than one (1) dynamic sign located on a lot.
2. Maximum display area of dynamic signs. The sign area of a dynamic display Dynamic signs shall not exceed
twenty -five (25) square feet. The area of dynamic signs shall be included in the calculation of the total permitted
sign area for the site.
D. Operation of dynamic signs.
1. Character of the message and display. Signs with dynamic display must only contain static and stable text and /or
images. Other modes of displaying messages, including scrolling, are prohibited. Modes of display which cause the
message to flash are prohibited. (no dancing bananas)
2. Duration of the message. Any message on the display shall remain static or stable for a period of not less than
eight (8) seconds. The interval between serial messages or changes of the display shall be at least eight (8) seconds.
40 mph = 58 ft /second; 30 mph = 44 ft /second 8 seconds @ 40 mph = 468 ft; 8 seconds @ 30 mph = 352 ft
12 seconds @ 40 mph = 703 ft; 12 seconds @ 30 mph = 528 ft.
3. Transition between messages. The transition from one static and stable display to another must be direct and
immediate without any special effects including wiping, fading, dissolving and other similar transitions.
4. Maximum brightness and illumination. Dynamic signs shall be restricted in their illumination and brightness so
that no sign with dynamic display may exceed a maximum illumination of .3 foot candles above ambient light levels
as measured from one hundred (100) feet from the sign's face. All signs with dynamic displays must be equipped
with an automatic dimmer control or other mechanism that automatically controls the sign's brightness to comply
with this requirements. If there is a violation of the brightness standards, the adjustment must be made within one (1)
business day upon notice of noncompliance from the city
5. Malfunctioning dynamic signs. Signs with dynamic displays must be designed and equipped to freeze the sign
face in one position if a malfunction occurs. Signs with dynamic displays must also be equipped with a means to
immediately discontinue the display if it malfunctions.
6. Operation of a dynamic sign not in compliance with these regulations. The sign owner or operator must
immediately turn off the display within one (1) hour of notification by email from the city that it is not complying
with the standards of this ordinance.