Agenda - Council - 07/13/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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case #rj , ~8 INTRODUCE ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY CODE CHAPTER 117 ARTICLE II DIVLSION 8 ENTIIZED SIGNS By: Tim Gladb;ll, Associate Planner Background: In February, 2008, the City adopted amendments related to regulation of temporary signs within the City. The amendment was part of a larger ordinance amendment related to recent judicial action that required cities across the state to review current ordinances to remove any reference to content based regulations. The City took this opportunity to maximize flexibility to our residents as it relates to temporary signs by increasing the number of temporary signs permitted while also simplifying the permitting process. This amendment removed the requirement to have a temporary sign permit. The City's sign regulations can be found in Chapter 117, Article II, Division 8. Prior to this. amendment, permits were required at $50 per sign permit for each week the sign is displayed. Temporary signs are defined as signs which are erected or displayed for a limited period of time and not affixed to a state building code approved structure. A sign is considered temporary if it is not intended to remain on the property permanently and has not received a permanent sign permit and/or is not intended to be constructed per the state building code. As it relates to temporary signs, the most significant changes to the ordinance included allowing temporary, off-premise signs and removing permitting requirements for temporary signs only. Major issues with the current temporary sign ordinance are largely related to enforcement of 1) location and 2) duration sign is placed on a parcel. Observations: Temporary signs are now permitted for a maximum of six (6) weeks per parcel (or per business on multitenant business), per year, with a bonus of an additional four (4) weeks with no documented sign violations within the past twelve (12) months. Temporary signs must be located fully on private property, with the permission of the property owner. All properties aze limited to two temporary signs per parcel. In locations where there are multiple businesses on one parcel, three signs are permitted. Since removing the temporary sign permit, staffing levels have been significantly reduced, and City Staff has had to refocus priorities. Staff has been unable to perform the necessary inventories and been unable to uphold the burden of proof to definitively state how long these temporary signs have been located on individual pazcels. Other issues the City has encountered with temporary signs include placement and location of temporary signs, most notably within public right-of--ways. Improper placement has negative effects of public safety (visibility along roadways), maintenance (ability to maintain and clean boulevard areas), and aesthetics. At the May 4'" City Council Work Session, the City Council discussed temporary sign permits. Consensus was to explore a temporary sign permit that is simple and minimal cost, intended to assist the City better respond to non-compliant temporary signs. A temporary sign permit would be intended to