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Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 <br />November 28, 2023 <br />----------------------------- <br />8. Motion to Adjourn Regular Meeting <br /> <br />Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Keisling to adjourn the regular <br />meeting of the Planning Commission at 7:37 p.m. <br />Motion carried 7-0. <br /> <br />The work session opened at 7:38 p.m. in the Council Chambers. <br /> <br />9.1 Highway 169 - Signage <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton presented the staff report and presented a PowerPoint with visuals for signs along Highway <br />169. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton discussed the current ordinance standards: <br /> Freestanding signs are 30’ tall and 150 sq. ft. <br /> 1 freestanding sign. 30 sq. ft. changeable copy sign allowed, larger with a CUP. <br /> Area identification/development signs: 30’ tall and ordinance allows 80 sq. ft., many are <br />larger as part of a PUD and have a significant number of businesses on them <br /> 50’ tall or 200 sq. ft. <br /> Wall signs: 15% sq. ft. façade area. <br /> <br />The following comments were received from: <br /> <br />Steve Anderson - Franklin Outdoor Advertising - feels every business will have a different need along the <br />corridor and suggested the Planning Commission use the barricade between the north and sound bound <br />lanes as your measurement; roadway grade plus 5’. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson noted the impact on the nearby residential properties that will be affected by an <br />increase in sign height. <br /> <br />Steve Lawrence – SML Electric - need to make the signs more visible because they increase the traffic <br />movement through the area. <br /> <br />Debbi Rydberg – representing the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce – explained the blue highway <br />signs are for places of accommodation, and that businesses pay annually for them to be displayed. She <br />explained how Otsego is not considered a retail corridor. Rogers has a very big retail sector and along an <br />interstate. She didn’t think a 100’ sign is necessary but offer businesses a chance to increase their sign height <br />to what suits their business based upon their location. The use of digital maps is more prevalent, but she <br />won’t find something unless she’s looking for a sign. She also noted how important retail sales tax is to the <br />city. And every business owner will have a different need and will rely on the planners and engineers to <br />determine the needs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Westgaard asked about the effect of the increased rate of speed on business visibility. What <br />is a reasonable distance to have business visibility and allow people to exit and shop. The interstate speed is <br />much higher. <br /> <br /> <br />