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Brainerd leaders push design standards, targeted facade grants to lift downtown appearance
Summary
EDA members discussed expanding design standards in the sign code, pairing façade grants with new standards, and possibly targeting funds to Washington Street during reconstruction to attract development and improve downtown aesthetics.
Brainerd EDA members on April 3 discussed complaints about temporary vinyl and hand‑painted signage, the absence of design standards in the city’s current sign rules, and tweaks to the city’s façade grant program to drive higher‑quality improvements.
City staff said current zoning controls layout, size and location but lacks design standards outlining acceptable materials and finished appearance. “Right now, our zoning code kinda really regulates, kind of location of the signage, size of the signage, but doesn't have a lot of design standards for signage,” James (planning staff) said. Members and staff agreed that design standards should be drafted before deploying more façade grant dollars so the grants drive the aesthetic outcomes the city wants.
Grant and program details discussed: Staff suggested continuing a matching model similar to earlier façade grants (examples: grants of $500–$2,000 typical; some past grants were about $2,000; prior year facade program disbursed just over $20,000). Ideas included a 50% matching grant for new permanent signs or awnings, limiting temporary vinyl signs to short windows after move‑in or events, and prioritizing contiguous blocks for greater visual impact (one member cited Oswego, New York’s block‑based program).
Enforcement and permitting: Staff said signage requires a building permit and the owner is responsible for compliance; the city typically issues stop‑work letters and works with property owners to bring signs into compliance before pursuing citations. Staff also noted that retroactive enforcement can be legally complicated and new code language would likely need grandfathering provisions.
Next steps: Staff and planning commission were asked to draft sign design standards and return with suggested ordinance text. EDA members asked staff to hold the façade grant funds until standards are in place and then direct grant dollars toward the Washington Street corridor and reconstruction timeline.
Ending: Staff will research other municipalities’ sign ordinances and design templates and will return with a draft ordinance and proposed grant eligibility changes at a future meeting.
