Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/01/2007

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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 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. o What needs to change- No special standards for the following signs: · Real Estate Signs~one property 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 would be 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 14th 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 eliminate all the content-based regulation requires fill-in and re-organization. . Put all Administration and Enforcement in one area. . Add a new Intent and Severability' . Add definitions for off-premise signs, changeable copy signs, and flashing signs, etc. . Simplify the Code. o Reworked regulations for size, number, type, and materials used to be more uniform o Specified temporary sign restrictions as separate from permanent signs