Planning Commission approves Canterbury Park signage, recommends expanding entertainment overlay

The Shakopee Planning Commission on May 7 approved a request from Canterbury Park Entertainment LLC for five additional permanent exterior signs, including a small two-faced freestanding electronic message sign and directional and wall signs, and recommended that the City Council adopt an ordinance to expand the Entertainment Overlay District to include seven adjacent parcels associated with Canterbury Park and the Mystic Lake amphitheater area.

Staff (Kerski) showed locations for a freestanding sign in a stormwater-pond area and directional signage at private-road entrances. Staff said the freestanding sign will sit on a city parcel and that the property owner will need to construct a retaining wall and obtain an encroachment agreement with the city before permits are issued. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions that include submittal of proposed sign plans on a survey, securing all required permits, and an encroachment agreement for the freestanding sign.

Commissioners asked about the digital sign’s messaging cadence and orientation; staff said the sign would be similar to an existing sign and its messaging change would be limited by state law and county-highway rules. A motion to adopt Resolution PC 2026-012 (approving additional signage) passed unanimously on a roll-call vote. Commissioners then considered Ordinance O 2026-013 to expand the Entertainment Overlay District to cover additional Canterbury Park–adjacent parcels; the commission voted unanimously to recommend adoption by City Council.

The approvals will require the applicant to provide finalized sign designs on a survey and to secure permits and encroachment agreements before the signs are installed. The Planning Commission’s vote is a recommendation to City Council for the ordinance expansion; the council will consider the change in a future meeting.