HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-12 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes µ i
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 12,2013—Oak Park Heights City Hall
Call to Order: Chair Bye called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioners Bye, Kremer, and Nelson; City Administrator Johnson, City
Planner Richards and Commission Liaison Runk. Absent: Commissioners Anthony and
Thurmes.
II. Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Kremer,moved to approve the Agenda
as presented. Carried 3 - 0.
III. Approval of August 13, 2013 Meeting Minutes:
Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Kremer,moved to approve the minutes
as presented. Carried 5 - 0.
IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports: City Administrator Johnson and
Commission Liaison Runk provided an update as to aspects of work occurring to the bridge
project, Peabody Ave., the Lookout and other roadway improvements.
V. Visitors/Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings:
A. Zoning Ordinance 401: Consider amendment to Zoning Ordinance 401.15.G—
Signs,related to definitions and regulations for electronic message boards.
City Planner Richards reviewed the September 6, 2013 planning memorandum
regarding electronic message boards,reviewed a proposed work plan and provided an
analysis and discussed the steps that should be taken to commence the study,
beginning with a review of the current sign ordinance and other community
examples. Richards noted that the Commission should consider that the current sign
ordinance was not created in mind for allowance of electronic message boards. He
noted that the ordinance has been evolving with time and technology advances.
Discussion ensued as to the aspects of the current ordinance language related to
signs, including definitions and their placement within the ordinance text, the extent
of regulation within in it, and similar. Examples of other electronic signs were
viewed and discussed in relation to what the City of Oak Park Heights is considering
for allowance.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 12,2013
Page 2 of 3
City Administrator Johnson discussed previous City Council activities and
community participation related to sign ordinance changes. He also noted an
example of signs currently in place where the menu board is a t.v. screen and another
that is actually a sign with an insert that has an electronic changeable message.
Richards discussed the differences between some of the sign definitions such as
dynamic, changeable copy, electronic graphic display and video display signs.
The following areas were discussed as potential areas for use of electronic message
signage:
• Commercial businesses (ie: retail,restaurant,banks, etc.)
• Stillwater Area High School
The consensus of the Commission was to focus on allowing changeable message
boards,both manual and electronic, within the commercial zoning districts. Dynamic
display signs or electronic graphic display signs would not be allowed as currently
regulated in the ordinance.
Commissioner Kremer noted that Commissioner Anthony was not able to attend the
meeting but did communicate via email to the Commission that she would like the
Commission to consider regulations that would make Oak Park Heights as similar to
Stillwater as possible.
Chair Bye opened the public hearing and with there being no visitors to the audience,
continued the public hearing to the Octoberl0, 2013 meeting.
VII. New Business: None.
VIII. Old Business: None.
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday, September 24, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, October 8, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, October 10, 2013 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, October 22, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative
• Tuesday, September 24, 2013 —Commissioner Kremer
• Tuesday, October 22, 2013 —Commissioner Nelson
Planning Commission Minutes
September 12,2013
Page 3 of 3
X. Adjourn: Chair Bye adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m. Carried 3—0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie al an, CBO
Plannin• &Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission: October 10,2013