10-19-2015 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 21, 2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. The electronic reader board element of the sign is approximately 2.5 feet x 6.5' in lit area inside a black border. This is similar in size to the read board at the Orono Schools. The design of the proposed message board includes an automatic dimming feature that can be set to reduce the lighting intensity of the board at night and commensurate with daytime outdoar light conditions. Use of this feature would seem appropriate given the proximity to the surrounding residential neighborhood. The applicants have considered the speed of traffic along County Road 6 and have indicated that having the message change so frequently as to allow a driver to view more than one message while passing by is not practical, and they may be willing to accept a condition that limits the frequency of the message changes. Staff recommends approval. Leskinen asked what color the message board will be. Gaffron stated the applicant will need to address that. Ken Jenson, Trinity Church, stated approximately ten years ago, they added some improvements to the site, including a great hall. The great hall is part of the reason for updating the signage since it is not only used by the church but also used a lot by community groups such as the Boy Scouts and Alcoholics Anonymous. Jenson stated in their view the sign will serve the church and the community. Approximately 4,500 cars go by the church every day and the sign will provide an opportunity to communicate with them. Jenson noted the sign is the exact size as the sign far the school but the overall reader board is slightly smaller. Jenson stated as it relates to colors, the color of the message can change and the intensity of the lights adjusts to ambient light. Jenson stated the sign will be brighter during the day and dimmer at night. The sign will be used to advertise community events as well as church events. Leskinen stated her only concern was the intensity of the light, especially at night. Lemke asked if the sign will be on 24 hours a day. Jenson indicated it will be. Landgraver asked if there will be any other lighting directed at the sign. Jenson stated there will be some backlighting on Trinity Church. Jenson stated they want to be sensitive to the motorists and the reader board will be automatically controlled to match up with ambient light. Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 8:11 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 8:11 p.m. Lemke noted Staff's report says that an illuminated flashing sign shall not be permitted. Lemke asked what constitutes a flashing sign. Page 17 of 46