For the purpose of this chapter, the terms defined in this section shall have the meanings herein given them:
ADJACENT AREA: For the purpose of subsection 10-7-7A of this chapter, adjacent area shall be defined as a strip of land that is immediately adjacent and parallel to Interstate 94 through Albertville and meets both of the following criteria:
A. The adjacent area shall only include land parcels or lots that directly abut the Interstate 94 right of way, or city owned right of way intended for future interstate access improvements, otherwise known as CSAH 19/Interstate 94 and CSAH 37/Interstate 94 interchange improvements. Parcels acquired solely for drainage and utility or ponding purposes shall not be considered an adjacent area. Parcels that do not directly abut the aforementioned rights of way are not within the adjacent area.
B. The adjacent area shall be limited to a strip of land four hundred feet (400') in width measured from the midpoint of the center median between the opposing traffic lanes of Interstate 94 and extending out either sides of Interstate 94 (see graphic below).
BANNERS: Any attention getting devices which resemble flags and are of a paper, cloth or plastic or plasticlike consistency.
BILLBOARD: A sign, bulletin board, changeable copy sign, or poster panel located in the "adjacent area", as defined by this section, which is used to advertise products, goods, services, ideas, or noncommercial speech which are not exclusively related to the premises or owner of the property on which the billboard is located.
BILLBOARD AREA OR SIGN AREA: That portion of the sign face of a billboard or sign which includes the border and trim thereof, but excludes the base and apron supports and other structural members. If a billboard or sign is constructed so that the faces are not constructed back to back, the angle shall not exceed ninety degrees (90°). If said angle is greater than ninety degrees (90°), the total area of both sides added together shall not exceed the maximum allowable billboard or sign area.
CAMPAIGN SIGNS: Any sign that meets the provisions of Minnesota state statute 211B.045.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN: A sign or portion thereof that has a reader board for the display of text information in which each alphanumeric character, graphic or symbol is defined by objects not consisting of an illumination device and may be changed or rearranged manually or mechanically with characters, illustrations, letters or numbers that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign structure. Changeable copy signs shall also include the following:
A. Changeable Copy Sign, Electronic: 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.
B. 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.
C. 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.
COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAYS OR CSAH: A road that is established, located, constructed, reconstructed, improved and maintained as a public highway by the county and is so designated a county state aid road.
DOUBLE FACE SIGN: A sign displaying information on both sides.
ERECT: To construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw or in any other way to bring into being or establish, but it shall not include any of the foregoing activities when performed as an incident to the change of advertising message or customary maintenance of an outdoor billboard.
FLASHING SIGN: A directly or indirectly illuminated sign or portion thereof that exhibits changing light or color effect by any means, so as to provide intermittent illumination that changes light intensity in sudden transitory bursts and creates the illusion of intermittent flashing light by streaming, graphic bursts showing movement, or any mode of lighting which resembles zooming, twinkling or sparkling.
GRADE OF SIGN: The lowest point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, paving or sidewalk within the area between the sign and a line ten feet (10') from the sign.
GROUND SIGN: A sign placed upon or supported by the ground independently of the main building or structure on the property. Pylon signs, monument signs, signs on accessory structures, and other freestanding signs shall be considered "ground signs".
ILLUMINATED SIGN: A sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines illuminated by electric lights or tubes, or by other artificial light directed to the sign or by internal illumination.
INTERSTATE HIGHWAY: Any highway at any time officially designated as a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways by the commissioner of transportation and approved by the appropriate authority of the federal government.
LOGO: Any letter, character, or symbol used to represent an entire word or group of words denoting the name, trade or purpose of any business.
MAINTAIN: To allow to exist.
MOVING SIGN: A sign which revolves, rotates, has any moving parts, or gives the illusion of motion.
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.
OFF PREMISES SIGNS: A commercial speech sign which directs the attention of the public to a business, activity conducted, or product sold or offered at a location not on the same lot where such sign is located. For purposes of this sign ordinance, easements and other appurtenances shall be considered to be outside such lot and any sign located or proposed to be located in an easement or other appurtenance shall be considered an off premises sign.
ON PREMISES SIGNS: A sign that is located on property that is the premises, property or site of the use identified or advertised in the sign.
PORTABLE SIGN: A movable sign not fixed to a building or the ground (i.e., pulled on a trailer vehicle).
PROJECTING SIGN: A sign which is affixed to a building and which projects from the building wall a distance greater than twelve inches (12").
PUBLIC NOTICES: Official notices posted by public officers, employees or their agents in the performance of their duties, or as directed by such officers, employees or agents.
PYLON SIGN: A freestanding sign erected upon no more than two (2) pedestals, posts or shafts. A pylon sign is a ground sign.
READER BOARD SIGN: A sign with separate inset letters and symbols or changeable copy which can be easily removed and which are periodically changed.
RESIDENTIAL SPECIAL EVENT: A special activity occurring on a residential lot for a duration not to exceed seven (7) days.
ROOF SIGN: A sign which is located above the eaves or coping line.
ROTATING SIGN: A sign or portion of a sign which in any physical part or in total turns about on an axis, rotates, revolves or is otherwise in motion, including, without limitation, a multivision sign.
SHIMMERING SIGN: A sign which reflects an oscillating, sometimes distorted, visual image.
SIGN: A name, identification, description, display, illustration, structure, or device which is affixed to, or painted, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building or other outdoor surface or a piece of land, and which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business.
SIGN HEIGHT: The height of a sign shall be computed as to the vertical distance measured from the base of the sign at grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
SIGN SETBACK: The shortest distance between the property or public right of way line and the surface or main supporting structure of a sign.
SIGN STRUCTURE: The supports, foundations, uprights, bracing and framework for a sign, including the sign area.
SPECIAL SIGN: Any sign that is a billboard, temporary sign, or banner.
TEMPORARY SIGN: A sign which is erected for a limited time and/or special purpose.
WALL SIGN: A sign which is affixed to the exterior wall of a building and which does not project more than twelve inches (12") from the surface to which it is attached.
WINDOW SIGN: A sign affixed to a window or located inside a window surface legible to the general public. (Ord. 2016-03, 5-2-2016)