10. Staff Report-Sign Ordinance
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: May 11, 2015
To: Economic Development Authority
From: Kristina Handt, Executive Director
Re: Sign Ordinance
Background:
The EDA has heard from businesses in meetings and through surveys that the sign ordinance has
problems. We haven’t gotten many specific examples of how it is cumbersome to businesses,
just general comments. Since the sign ordinance is part of the Development Code, any changes
would have to go through the Planning Commission who holds a public hearing prior to making
Commission.
Issue:
Should the EDA recommend changes in the Sign Ordinance?
Proposal Details:
A copy of the current sign ordinance is included in your packet. The one area we have gotten
specific feedback on is in relation to community events signage, subd (N) 2. This section limits
the number of signs promoting an event to three in the City. Given the large geographical area
and many entrances to the City some feel more signage should be allowed. The Parks and
Recreation Committee has also looked at this as it impacts Vinterfest. They would like to see no
limit on the number of community event signs.
Another issue has been limiting the sign going up to 10 days before an event. The organizers of
the Fat Cat Triathlon would have liked to put up signs earlier to promote the event as well as
registration.
Lastly, at times complying with the Scandia Architectural Guidelines (which is required by the
ordinance) has posed some challenges particularly with the multi-tenant signs (i.e. Scandia
Plaza).
The commission may want to discuss these specific items related to community event signage
and seek more specific feedback from businesses on other sections of the ordinance, possibly at
the upcoming Coffee and Conversations meeting.