City of Blaine Anoka County, Minnesota - File #: WS 12-35

• File #: WS 12-35
• Version: 1
• Name: Readerboards in B-1 Zoning
• Type: Workshop Item
• Status: Filed
• File created: 7/12/2012
• In control: City Council Workshop
• On agenda: 7/12/2012
• Final action: 7/12/2012
• Title: SIGNAGE (READERBOARDS) IN B-1 (NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS)
• Sponsors: Bryan Schafer

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
7/12/2012	1	City Council Workshop	Discussed

Workshop Item:   2  - Bryan Schafer, Planning & Community Development Director

Title

SIGNAGE (READERBOARDS) IN B-1 (NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS)

Background

The City has only two areas where commercial property is zoned B-1 (Neighborhood Business). The two B-1 areas are 99^th Avenue and Polk Street (Fastrip C-Store) and 109^th and Jefferson (daycare, pet groomer and dry cleaner). The B-1 is the City's most restrictive commercial designation and is used when immediately adjacent and within residential neighborhood settings.

The City's sign ordinance also recognizes the unique nature of B-1 locations, and to help minimize impacts on residential uses, does not provide the same signage opportunities that are allowed in the B-2, B-3 or PBD. More specifically the B-1 signage section does not allow the reader boards that are permitted in other retail zones.

The B-2, B-3 and PBD zoning sections allow reader boards under the following language:

(hh) Readerboards.

     (1) Signs included within this section must meet all the requirements of this ordinance.

      (2)  A minimum display time of four (4) seconds for each message within the frame of    the sign is required.

(3)  All displays must include and utilize an automatic dimming mechanism that allows the display to adjust brightness to accommodate a brighter light intensity during daylight and dimmer light intensity after dusk.  

ISSUE

The new owner of Fastrip C-store at 99^th and Polk has asked the City to reconsider the signage allowed in the B-1 . Their letter is attached to this memo. The new readerboard technology has made these signs more affordable to smaller retail owners which is why more of these have been erected over the past two years. A code amendment would be needed if the City Council wishes to add the ability for readoerboard in the B-1.

Direction

Staff is seeking direction and concurrence from the City Council on two general questions:

1.      Is the City Council receptive to allowing readerboards in the B-1 zoning district?

2.      If so, does the City Council wish to use the same standards or should the B-1 sites have smaller readerboards (less square footage). Signage in B-1 is normally allowed the same 140 square feet as the B-2, B-3 and PBD. The new code however could limit the size of the readerboard to not more than 25 or 50% of the sign face.

ATTACHMENT

Fastrip C-store Letter