Agenda - Council Work Session - 04/10/2007

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Summary of Proposed Changes Sign Ordinance 3/21/07 . Content-Based Regulation. All references, defInitions, or regulations of signs described based on what they say will be eliminated. o Why- Courts have established that regulating a sign based on what it says is a violation of the lst Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. o What needs to change- No special standards for the following signs: . Real Estate'Signs-oneproperty or a new development . Construction Signs . <<Public" or "non-profit" or "government" uses . Directional, Instructional, Nameplate or Address Signs. . Garage Sale Signs . Political Signs . Grand Opening, or public' event signs or balloons . Area Identification Signs . "Home Occupation" signs . Service Bay or Fuel Pump Island Identification Signs . Unauthorized Signs sections was re-written to eliminate all content-based regulation and prohibit based on type or materials used . Owner-Based Regulation. All regulations based on who owns the property or the sign will be eliminated. o Why- The 4th Amendment has a clause about equal protection under the law. Cannot have different rules for different people simply based on the person or business. o What needs to change- No special provisions for churches, non-profits, government, or youth associations, etc: . Exemptions for permits for certain types of businesses or entities . Exceptions to location or size regulations based on business or entity . Re-Organize the Code. o Why- TO'make is easier to find items, and eliminating all the content- based regulation requires fill-in and re-organization. . Put all Administration and Enforcement in one area. . Added a new Intent and Severability . Added definitions for off-premise signs, changeable copy signs, and flashing signs, etc. . Simplify the Code. a Reworked regulations for size, number, type, and materials used to be more uniform o Specified temporary sign restrictions as separate from permanent signs