UPDATED: Two Autistic Little Caesar's Employees at Center of Eagan Ordinance Dustup

Two autistic Little Caesar's employees say they love their job holding Little Caesar's signs and waving at passing motorists.

But a enforcement of a a city of Eagan ordinance has—at least temporarily—put the kibosh on their advertising efforts near the local Little Caesars location, according to a WCCO TV news story by Bill Hudson.

At first, Christian Young and Nengi Clement put on sandwich board signs and waved to passing motorists on Diffley Road. When Little Caesar's was informed that violated city code regard commercial signage, managment tried multiple other approaches. They tried moving the men into their parking lot, then onto the sidewalk outside the store, and finally as door greeters. Each time the city found Little Caesar's in violation.

City officials say they are working with the business to find a way to keep Young and Clement employed at Little Caesar's, and have offered several options to the business that would allow the men to work outside while remaining in accordance with city code.

From the WCCO story:

Eagan’s spokesperson, Tom Garrison, defends the ordinance as necessary to prevent traffic distractions and advertising clutter. Garrison contends the ordinance is being enforced fairly, without exceptions.

“That’s the general intent, to not have the clutter of additional signage out everywhere and to not have people feel intimidated in any way,” Garrison said.

WATCH THE WCCO NEWS STORY

Here's exactly what the Eagan City Code says about off-premises signs: 

1. No off-premises sign shall be permitted in any zone within the city except as permitted under this subparagraph.
2. The owner of an existing off-premises sign may construct a new off-premises sign pursuant to a conditional use permit issued in accordance with the provisions of chapter 11 of the City Code, and under the following criteria:
       A. No sign will be permitted which increases the number of signs beyond the number of signs depicted in Table A (which follows this section), as amended from time to time.
       B. No sign shall be permitted which increases the total square footage of all signs beyond the number of total square feet depicted in Table A (which follows this section), as amended from time to time.
       C. No sign shall be permitted which increases the total number of sign surfaces beyond the total number of sign surfaces depicted in Table A (which follows this section), as amended from time to time.
       D. The maximum square footage of a sign shall be 250 square feet; however, the city may allow a sign in excess of 250 square feet upon (i) the reduction of the total number of signs, square footage or surface areas depicted in Table A (which follows this section), as amended from time to time, and (ii) amendment to said Table A to reflect such reduction, and (iii) further, so long as the total square footage of all signs is not increased beyond the total of sign square footage depicted in said Table A, at the time of application for a new sign.
       E. No sign shall be located nearer to any other off-premises sign than 1,500 lineal feet on the same side of the street or 300 lineal feet on the opposite side of the street.
       F. No sign shall be located on a platted lot which contains a business sign.
       G. No sign shall be located within 300 feet of any freestanding ground sign or pylon sign.
       H. No sign shall be located within 200 feet of any residentially zoned district.
       I. No sign or any part thereof shall exceed 40 feet in height as measured from the land adjacent to the base of the sign.
3. Any new off-premise sign permitted under this paragraph, shall not be placed upon any property upon which a building or structure already exists.
4. Any new off-premise sign permitted under this paragraph, above, shall be located only on property zoned for business or industrial use.
5. Any off-premise sign now existing or permitted to be constructed shall be removed prior to the city approving the platting of the property upon which the sign is located or prior to the city issuing a building permit for the construction of a structure upon the property upon which the sign is located, whichever occurs earlier.
6. Any new off-premise sign pursuant to a conditional use permit issued hereunder shall be subject to the provisions governing conditional use permits as set forth elsewhere in this chapter.

Is the city doing the right thing by vigorously enforcing this ordinance? Tell us what you think in the comments.

Clarification: This article has been updated for clarity. Eagan city officials have offered Little Caesar's several alternative options that would allow Clement and Young to continue working at the business.