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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/27/2018 - SIGN CODE UPDATE, PHASE 2DATE: STAFF: March 27, 2018 Noah Beals, Senior City Planner/Zoning Tom Leeson, Director, Comm Dev & Neighborhood Svrs WORK SESSION ITEM City Council SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION Sign Code Update, Phase 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to check in with Council on the process of the Sign Code Update. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED 1. Is the process of the Sign Code Update on track? 2. What feedback does Council have on a Digital Billboard option? BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Phase 2 of the Sign Code Update started the end of 2017 in brainstorming meetings with City staff and the consultant. In these meetings the key purposes of the Phase 2 and the approach on how to engage residents, business owners and other stakeholders were discussed. The purposes identified in these initial meetings were: • Improve overall legibility of the Sign Code Section • Implement action items from the adopted Downtown Plan o Restore existing historic signs and allow for the reconstruction of historically significant signs that previously existed o Develop Land Use Code regulations that identify performance standards for design elements that activate buildings and private outdoor spaces along public streets. Amend the Sign Code to require pedestrian-oriented signs. • Discuss sign standards for new technology • Provide an option for consideration of Digital Billboards From these meetings a timeline and outreach approach were created. The process began with two public meetings on general topics and sign types. These meetings were advertised through the City’s website, press release and emails to stakeholders involved in Phase 1 of the Sign Code. The first meeting was attended by approximately 20-25 people. At both meetings staff conducted a power point presentation and had boards displayed on the general topics for participants to read at their own pace. After these meetings public outreach continued through an online questioner on and walk-in chat sessions (coffee talks). Staff increased the advertisement with an email blast to those who signed up for notifications on the Downtown Plan and sent out a flyer to 1,000 individuals. Both have generated additional feedback. Outreach efforts have continued through presentations at other organizations. In February staff attended the Downtown Business Association’s (DBA) board meeting and membership meeting. This month staff presented to the Chamber of Commerce Local Legislative Affairs Committee and returned to the DBA membership meeting. Discussions were held with members of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to review the Sign Code update. Also, staff presented at the Planning and Zoning Board and Landmark Preservation Commission to get any initial input before returning to the Boards for a recommendation. March 27, 2018 Page 2 After the Council work session, staff plans to start drafting Code language. With the drafted Code language, staff will schedule an additional public meeting and present the draft Code. After this meeting the language will be refined and will move forward to the Planning and Zoning Board and Landmark Preservation Commission for a recommendation. With these recommendations, the proposed Code changes will then be presented for consideration to Council. Digital Billboards Currently, staff has outlined an approach for allowing for a new sign type: the Digital Billboard. This option addresses the removal of existing static billboards through an exchange for a Digital Billboard. With this new sign type, it is anticipated that standards that would address the following: • Location = Commercial/industrial areas on I-25 and South College Avenue • Design = Size, height and setback • Brightness & Glare = Similar to current Electronic Message Center standards and exploring shut-off times • Exchange Rate = Certain amount of square footage of static billboards would need to be removed for square footage of a digital billboard. • Message Duration = The length of time a single message required to be displayed, shorter for location along the interstate and longer for other locations ATTACHMENTS 1. Powerpoint presentation (PDF) March 27, 2018 Phase 2 of Sign Code Update Noah Beals Senior City Planner - Zoning ATTACHMENT 1 Objective 2 1. Is the process of the Sign Code Update on track? 2. What feedback does Council have on a Digital Billboard option? Phase 2 Sign Code Update 3 Goals of Phase 2 4 1. Improve the overall legibility of the Sign Code Section 2. Implement action items for the adopted Downtown Plan 3. Discuss sign standards for new technology 4. Provide an option for consideration of Digital Billboards Public Meetings 5 Two Meetings at the Museum of Discovery and at the Drake Centre Online Outreach 6 • Sign Code Website • Questionnaire • Social Media • City Website Email Notification 7 At the end of February an email Went out to those that signed up for updates on the Downtown Plan Over recipients Flyer 8 Beginning of March A Flyer was mailed to over 1,000 individuals Walk-in Chats (Coffee Talks) 9 In March three times for walk-in chats Work Sessions 10 In March presented at three Work Sessions • March 09th Planning and Zoning Board • March 17th Landmark Preservation Commission • March 27th City Council Other Meetings 11 Other organizations that requested a presentation • March 15th , 2018 Downtown Business Association, Member meeting • March 9th , 2018 Chamber of Commerce Local Legislative Affairs Committee • February 15th , 2018 Downtown Business Association, Member meeting • February 14th , 2018 Downtown Business Association, Board Meeting Summary of Presentations 12 Summary of Presentations 13 Next Steps 14 Anticipated next steps • Begin drafting code language • Schedule a public meeting to present drafted code language • Refine the drafted language • Proceed to Planning and Zoning Board and Landmark Preservation Committee for recommendation • Present to Council with recommendations for consideration Digital Billboards 15 Digital Billboards 16 Digital Billboards 17 Digital Billboards 18 Digital Billboards 19 Digital Billboards 20 Objective 21 1. Is the process of the Sign Code Update on track? 2. What feedback does Council have on a Digital Billboard option?