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Request for Action <br />City of <br />Elk <br />River <br />To <br />City Council <br />Meeting Date <br />May 5, 2025 <br />Item Description <br />Ordinance Amendment 25-06: City -Owned <br />Advertising Signs <br />Item Number <br />7.1 <br />Prepared By <br />Zack Carlton, Community Development Director <br />Reviewed by <br />Cal Portner <br />Tina Allard <br />Action Requested <br />Adopt, by motion, an ordinance amending Sec. 30-867 to allow government -owned off -premises advertising <br />signs. <br />Background/Discussion <br />City staff has been working with the city attorney to find a solution within our existing ordinance that would <br />allow the city to place a sign advertising events and activities at the Furniture and Things Community Event <br />Center. The ordinance classifies any sign not on the same property promoting actions/activities as an off - <br />premise advertising sign - essentially a billboard. <br />Billboards generally advertise off -premises businesses for a fee and operate as a for -profit venture. They are <br />also meant to be seen from a long distance away, which leads to their large size and configuration, and <br />preferred location along major highways. <br />The proposed ordinance would allow off -premises signs that advertise activities at government facilities. The <br />draft ordinance also limits the sign size to 10 feet tall and 100 square feet. The ordinance is also written to <br />limit the scope by linking the sign to a facility that does not have direct access to a public street. <br />Planning Commission <br />The Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 22, 2025. No one spoke during the hearing, and no <br />comments were received for or against the proposed amendment. <br />The Commission unanimously recommended approval of the amendment, but included a comment that the <br />ordinance should limit the advertising to the specific facility it is associated with. However, the city attorney <br />does not recommend including this language as it would express a preference for specific content. A limitation <br />is not included in the proposed amendment, but as the city will operate the sign, the Council can choose what <br />messages are included on a sign. <br />Financial Impact <br />Publication Costs <br />The Elk River Vision <br />A avelcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community p p W E R E U A Y <br />engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br />184 <br />