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Home My WebLink About2014-01-14 Ordinance 2014-401-01 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. 2014- 401 - 01 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 401, ZONING ORDINANCE, RELATED TO DEFINITIONS AND REGULATIONS FOR ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARDS THE CITY COUNCIL OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Section 401.02.B. Definitions. and Section 401.15.G.4. Definitions. of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to include and revise the following definitions as follows: Changeable Copy Sign, Electronic and Manual: A sign or portion thereof that displays electronic, nonpictorial text information in which each alphanumeric character, graphic, or symbol is defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area. Electronic changeable copy signs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic displays. Electronic changeable copy signs include projected images or messages with these characteristics onto buildings or objects. Electronic changeable copy signs do not include official signs. Manual signs include those with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged manually without altering the face or the surface of the sign. Dynamic Display: Any characteristics of a sign that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign structure or any other component of the sign. This includes displays that incorporate technology or methods allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components as well as any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, digital ink or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays. Electronic Graphic Display Sign: A sign or portion thereof that displays electronic, static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without text information, defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area where the message change sequence is accomplished immediately or by means of fade, repixalization or dissolve modes. Electronic graphic display signs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic or digital displays. Electronic graphic display signs include projected images or messages with these characteristics onto buildings or other objects. Multivision Sign: Any sign composed in whole or part of a series of vertical or horizontal slats or cylinders that are capable of being rotated at intervals so that partial rotation of the group of slats or cylinders produces a different image and when properly functioning allows on a single sign structure the display at any given time one of two (2) or more images. Official Sign: Signs of a public noncommercial nature including public notification signs, safety signs, traffic signs, direction to public facilities when erected by or on behalf of a public official or employee in the performance of official duty. Video Display Sign: A sign that changes its message or background in a manner or method of display characterized by motion or pictorial imagery, which may or may not include text and depicts action or a special effect to imitate movement, the presentation of pictorials or graphics displayed in a progression of frames that gives the illusion of motion, including, but not limited to, the illusion of moving objects, moving patterns or bands of light, or expanding or contracting shapes, not including electronic changeable copy signs. Video display signs include projected images or messages with these characteristics onto buildings or other objects. SECTION 2. Section 401.15.G.7 Prohibited Signs in any Zoning District. of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to include the following as follows: r. Dynamic display signs. s. Electronic graphic display signs. t. Multivision signs. u. Video display signs. SECTION 3. Section 401.15.G.8.e. Prohibited Signs and Displays for Special Events. of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to include the following as follows: Prohibited Signs and Displays for Special Events. The signs or displays described below are prohibited for special events: 1) Animated signs, dynamic display signs, electronic graphic display signs, multivision signs, video display signs, light bulb strings, pennants, portable signs, ribbons, and streamers. SECTION 4. Section 401.15.G.9 District Regulations of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to include the following as follows: b. 0, Open Space Conservation and R-3, Multiple Family Residential Districts. 5) Changeable Copy Signs - Manual and Electronic — Non Residential Uses in the 0, Open Space Conservation District. a) One manual or electronic changeable copy sign shall be allowed per site provided that the changeable copy area is integrated into the allowed sign and subject to the following: (1) Changeable copy signs shall only be on freestanding signs. (2) The sign shall not directly face a residentially zoned property and shall be set back at least fifty (50) feet from any side or rear lot line abutting a residential district. (3) The changeable copy portion of the sign shall not occupy more than thirty five (35) percent of the actual copy and graphic area of the sign. (4) The sign message shall not change less than every ten (10) seconds. Hour, minute, date or temperature information shall change not less than every three (3) seconds. 6) Electronic Sign Illumination a) Electronic signs shall be shielded to prevent lights from being directed at oncoming traffic in such brilliance that it impairs the vision of the driver and may not interfere with or obscure traffic signs or signals. Lighting may not illuminate any adjacent properties, buildings, or streets. b) No sign incorporating LED lighting may be illuminated in any way so as to exceed a maximum intensity of five thousand (5,000) nits during daylight hours or five hundred (500) nits from sunset to sunrise measured at the sign face at maximum brightness. c) Signs using fluorescent, neon or incandescent light sources shall not exceed twelve (12)watts per square foot of sign surface area. d) All signs incorporating LED lighting installed shall be equipped with a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness to ambient lighting conditions to conform to the requirements of this subsection. 6.LizA S.6 G.5 Cya- e) The owner of any D illuminated sign shall provide certificate n as to compliance with-� se subsections y upon request by the zoning administrator. SECTION 5. Section 401.15.G.9 District Regulations of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to include the following as follows: c. P/I, Public Institutional; R-B, Residential Business; and B-1, Neighborhood Business Districts 4) Changeable Copy Signs - Manual and Electronic — P/I Public Institutional District. a) One manual or electronic changeable copy sign shall be allowed per site provided that the changeable copy area is integrated into the allowed sign and subject to the following: (1) Changeable copy signs shall only be on freestanding signs. (2) The sign shall not directly face a residentially zoned property and shall be set back at least fifty (50) feet from any side or rear lot line abutting a residential district. (3) The changeable copy portion of the sign shall not occupy more than thirty five (35) percent of the actual copy and graphic area of the sign. (4) The sign message shall not change less than every ten (10) seconds. Hour, minute, date or temperature information shall change not less than every three (3) seconds. 5) Electronic Sign Illumination a) Electronic signs shall be shielded to prevent lights from being directed at oncoming traffic in such brilliance that it impairs the vision of the driver and may not interfere with or obscure traffic signs or signals. Lighting may not illuminate any adjacent properties, buildings, or streets. b) No sign incorporating LED lighting may be illuminated in any way so as to exceed a maximum intensity of five thousand (5,000) nits during daylight hours or five hundred (500) nits from sunset to sunrise measured at the sign face at maximum brightness. Ii c) Signs using fluorescent, neon or incandescent light sources shall not exceed twelve (12) wafts per square foot of sign surface area. d) All signs incorporating LED lighting installed shall be equipped with a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness to ambient lighting conditions to conform to the requirements of this subsection. Ltta.16 C 5 4. ' .-is c e) The owner of an LED illuminated sign shall provide certific ion as to compliance with subsections upon request by the zoning administrator. SECTION 6. Section 401.15.G.9 District Regulations of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to include the following as follows: d. B-2, General Business; B-3, Highway Business and Warehousing; B-4, Limited Business District; and I, Industrial Districts. 4) Changeable Copy Signs - Manual and Electronic a) One manual or electronic changeable copy sign shall be allowed per site provided that the changeable copy area is integrated into the allowed sign and subject to the following: (1) Changeable copy signs shall only be on freestanding signs. (2) The sign shall not directly face a residentially zoned property and shall be set back at least fifty (50) feet from any side or rear lot line abutting a residential district. (3) The changeable copy portion of the sign shall not occupy more than thirty five (35) percent of the actual copy and graphic area of the sign. (4) The sign message shall not change less than every ten (10) seconds. Hour, minute, date or temperature information shall change not less than every three (3) seconds. 5) Electronic Sign Illumination a) Electronic signs shall be shielded to prevent lights from being directed at oncoming traffic in such brilliance that it impairs the vision of the driver and may not interfere with or obscure traffic signs or signals. Lighting may not illuminate any adjacent properties, buildings, or streets. b) No sign incorporating LED lighting may be illuminated in any way so as to exceed a maximum intensity of five thousand (5,000) nits during daylight hours or five hundred (500) nits from sunset to sunrise measured at the sign face at maximum brightness. c) Signs using fluorescent, neon or incandescent light sources shall not exceed twelve (12)watts per square foot of sign surface area. d) All signs incorporating LED lighting installed shall be equipped with a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness to ambient lighting conditions to conform to the requirements of this subsection. Littl,,15 G.5 ag ,s e) The owner of any L illuminated sign shall provide certificatio as to compliance with 41,Nest subsections and upon request by the zoning administrator. SECTION 7. The Planning Commission of the City of Oak Park Heights held a public hearing at a December 12, 2013 meeting, took comments from the public, and recommended that the City Council approve the amendments as provided in this Ordinance. SECTION 8. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and publication. PASSED this 14th day of January, 2014 by the City Council of the City of Oak Park Heights. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS f Ma mbe� ry , Mayor ATT : 7: 7 , TIC A. J• son, City Administrator r- f....),,,, i 1 i A )L( — 4:--5L tAni\9.-t' CL 1/4) 6 ,,, r1:) i f : / • ,-; , '-_,:r- '::› IlinA I , 1 . , / . 1 4‘1119 - p (.17tCt, -1-k) b()(51-- CI i 1 ) aruckfc / 13 pay_}