Planning Commission Meeting Date: August 20, 2026
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Lori Johnson, Consulting Planner
Scott Wopata, Community Development Director
Mathias Hughey, AICP, Interim City Planner
Title
Review of Potential Sign Ordinance Changes for Athletic Field Signage
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission is requested to review potential changes to the sign ordinance to allow for athletic field signage at properties owned by the Northfield Public School District and the City of Northfield.
Summary Report:
Process and Update
At the July 16, 2026 Planning Commission (PC) meeting, Staff, the Consulting Planner, and a representative of the School District presented an initial proposal for text amendments related to signage at athletic fields and incorporated into scoreboards.
State Statute grants school boards the authority to enter into contracts with advertisers, sponsors, or others regarding advertising and naming rights to school facilities, but it does not exempt school districts from local zoning regulations.
Based on the July PC discussion of the proposal, staff took the following general guidance from the PC.
- Internally facing advertising/sponsorships may be acceptable
- Externally facing advertising/sponsorships was not desired
- Potential impacts such as noise and light should be mitigated, especially related to residential properties.
- Appropriate limits should be placed on the size and location of signs.
Based on a review of that discussion, existing conditions and regulations, the following questions remain:
- The proposed video screen is intended to be used for advertising in addition to other functions.
o Is this acceptable and consistent with the direction of the Planning Commission?
o Currently, electronic/digital changeable-copy signs are required to be static and not flash or move, and copy may only change at 1-minute intervals - should scoreboards be exempted from this limitation?
o Currently,...
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