Electronic signs to be watched

BAXTER -- The city of Baxter is on its way to regulating what can and can't be displayed on future electronic signs within the city.

The Baxter City Council Tuesday directed city staffers to develop an ordinance amendment stating electronic signs will only be allowed in the city if they feature a steady message that could only be changed up to four times a day and would exclude the colors of red and blue.

The issue was brought to the city council by City Planner Greg Wagner, who said the issue was raised after several new businesses were opened that featured distracting signs.

Wagner told the council that the current ordinance was unclear concerning electric signs in front of businesses. Police Chief Jim Exsted requested the colors of red and blue be prohibited because they can distract from the emergency lights on police squads and other emergency vehicles. Several current signs currently feature distracting colors, Wagner added.

Existing electronic signs in front of businesses would be allowed under a grandfather rule.

In other action, the council:

Adjourned to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Crow Wing County board room for a joint meeting with Brainerd and the county to discuss the Cypress Drive extension.

Adopted plans and ordered improvements for the Hastings Road and Forthun Road improvements.

Ordered an alternative urban area-wide review for an area west of Highway 371, north of Woida Road and South of Crow Wing County Road 77, to determine future zoning classifications.

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.