BCC PUBLIC HEARINGBCC PUBLIC HEARING

CH. 31.5 SIGN CODE ORDINANCE CH. 31.5 SIGN CODE ORDINANCE

Zoning DivisionZoning Division

September 22, 2015

OverviewOverview

Proposed amendments are compilation of changes needed to address requests by the business community, new technology trends and clarification of existing regulations for consistency. A list of changes were discussed with BCC in a work session in January 2015.

OverviewOverview

The BCC continued the public hearing on Aug. 4th to Sept. 22nd

As a result of issues discussed on Aug.4th staff conducted the following meetings:GOBA and Realtors Association on Aug. 27th

Outdoor Media on Sept. 14th

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

General Sign CodeTourist Commercial SignsPD Master Sign PlansSpecial Districts & Overlays LPA Recommendation Additional AmendmentsRequested Action

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

General sign type amendments under consideration:

1) Architectural Building Features2) Walls 3) Electronic Message Centers4) Off-Site Directional5) Windows 6) Construction 7) Billboards

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

Architectural Building Features

Generic, integrated, architectural feature shall be exempt from sign code standards:

Designed and constructed as part of building Identification via symbols, logos, letters, moving parts, lights

etc. are not exempt

Signage within commercial developments Clarification of language

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

Maximum Wall Sign Copy Area

Copy area increase due to height of sign on building(sign must be located within top 20% of building height):

Height

0-35 ft.36-50 ft.51-75 ft.76-100 ft.101-140 ft.140+ ft.>180 ft.

Current Code %

No Increase10%15%20%25%30%

Proposed%

No Increase15%20%25%50%100%125%

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

Wall Signs

Maximum Allowable Copy Area:

Current code: Must use front of building to calculate wall signage. May distribute signage on all walls.

Proposed Amendment : If front of building is not used to calculate wall signage, then all signage must be placed on the side used to calculate the signage.

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

General BCC concerns regarding Electronic Message Centers (EMC’s):

Proximity to residential areas Transition time Dimming Technology Prohibition

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

Proposed Changes:Proposed Changes: Restrict EMC’s based on proximity to residential uses Prohibit on Wall signs Pole signs – limit EMC to 25% of total copy area Must meet Display Criteria:

• Must hold display/message for minimum 8 secondsMust hold display/message for minimum 8 seconds• Images shall appear instantaneously without flashing, animation, Images shall appear instantaneously without flashing, animation,

or movement of any kindor movement of any kind• Required automatic dimming technologyRequired automatic dimming technology• Cannot exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above Cannot exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above

ambient lightambient light• Non-conforming signs must comply with brightness by date

certain

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

EMC’s

Wall Signs EMC’s shall not be allowed as wall

signs

Non-Residential Signs in Non-Residential Signs in Residential Districts Residential Districts EMC’s limited to 25% of a ground EMC’s limited to 25% of a ground

sign copy areasign copy area Turn off/sleep mode between Turn off/sleep mode between

11pm-6am11pm-6am

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign CodeWindow Signs

Current Regulation (General Code): Maximum copy area = 25% of window area, affixed to window.

Proposed Changes (General Code): Location – affixed to or within 3 ft. of window Prohibit changeable copy signs Maximum letter size

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

Construction Signs

Current Regulations: Do not address mesh fence banners.

Proposed Change: Allow a mesh fence banner sign affixed to the fence surrounding a

construction site. Copy area limited to 64 sq.ft. in residential area and 128 sq.ft. in all

other areas.

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

Off-Site Directional Signs

Current:Limited to Weekends Friday - SundayLimited to 3 mile postingLimited to 3 weekends a year

Proposed:Expand weekend timeframe by 1 dayProvide flexibility on sign posting distance Increase the number of weekends from 3 to 6

General Sign CodeGeneral Sign Code

BillboardsRequiring new EMC’s brightness level standardsCodifying existing practice:

Requires registration Annual Fee

Tourist Commercial SignsTourist Commercial Signs

1) Wall 2) EMC3) Ground 4) Window 5) Wall Banners

Amendments Under Consideration:

Tourist Commercial SignsTourist Commercial Signs

Maximum Wall Sign Copy Area

Copy area increase due to height of sign on building(sign must be located within top 20% of building height):

Height

0-35 ft.36-50 ft.51-75 ft.76-100 ft.101-140 ft.140+ ft.>180 ft.

Current Code %

No Increase10%15%20%25%30%

Proposed%

No Increase15%20%25%50%100%125%

Tourist Commercial SignsTourist Commercial Signs

EMC’s

Current Code: Permitted on Pole and Wall signs

Proposed Changes:Pole signs – Limit EMC to 25% of total copy areaProhibit on Wall signsPermit on Ground signs where:

1) > 15 acres2) Min.1,000 foot road frontage3) Separation distance of 300 feet between signs4) Must meet display criteria as proposed for general code

Tourist Commercial SignsTourist Commercial Signs

Ground Signs

Maximum Allowable Copy Area increases from 60 sq. ft. to 80 sq. ft.

Maximum height increases from 8 ft. to 10 ft. Must meet Tourist Commercial EMC standards as

proposed. Changeable copy signs must be a minimum of 300 ft.

apart

Tourist Commercial SignsTourist Commercial Signs

Banner Signs Introduces “Wall Banner Signs” Intended only for large Hotels physically connected to the

Convention Center with at least 750 rooms. Limited to top 50% of hotel Allow only for “contract events” with Convention Center Allow 3 signs, maximum 4 times a year Maximum size of 4,000 sq.ft. Allow for a duration period of 14 days

PD’s, Special District and OverlaysPD’s, Special District and Overlays Incorporating a Master Sign Plan provision for P-D’s

Approved master sign plans may be allowed to make non-substantial changes if approved by DRC. Examples may include:• Minor relocating of ground signs • Re-distribution of copy area • Minor height adjustments

Transferring sign provisions from Ch. 38 for Special Districts and Overlays to Ch. 31.5.

PZC/LPA RecommendationPZC/LPA Recommendation

PZC/LPA made a finding of consistency with Comprehensive Plan and recommended approval by a vote of 5-1, with the following recommendation:Non-residential EMC signs in residential areas shall have limited hours of operation from 6am-11pm.

Additional AmendmentsAdditional Amendments

Additional AmendmentsAdditional Amendments

Additional AmendmentsAdditional Amendments

Additional AmendmentsAdditional Amendments

Sec. 31.5-162(a) Tourist Commercial DevelopmentSigns in the “tourism district” shall comply with the provisions of

this division, and any other provisions of this chapter that are not inconsistent with and do not conflict with the provisions of this division.

Additional AmendmentsAdditional Amendments

Additional AmendmentsAdditional Amendments

Sec. 31.5-190 PD Master Sign PlansLarge Planned Developments are encouraged to have a Master

Sign Plan (“MSP”). In order to be eligible to submit an MSP, a PD shall be at least fifteen (15) developable acres in size and have at least one thousand (1,000) feet of right-of-way frontage, as that term is defined in Section 31.5-5. The intent and purpose of an MSP is to provide an applicant with an opportunity to create attractive, aesthetic signage having uniform or cohesive design of color, texture, materials and architectural features that continue throughout the overall development. Absent an MSP, a Planned Development shall comply with all applicable signage requirements in this chapter.

Additional AmendmentsAdditional Amendments

Additional AmendmentsAdditional Amendments

Sec. 31.5-194 Horizon West Town Center Community identification signs may be permitted, subject to the threshold

standards in Section 31.5-74 and the following: Community identification signs shall be placed only in entry point locations that are

noted on an approved MSP; Regardless of the approved height of an community identification sign, copy located

more than ten (10) feet above finished grade shall be restricted to sixteen (16) square feet in size;

A community identification sign shall not be internally lit; and For individual or multiple PDs under common ownership or management, a

community identification sign may be up to twenty-five (25) feet in height, provided it is integrated or incorporated into an entry feature structure that employs an architectural design that is unified or consistent with other entry features.

Requested ActionRequested Action

Make a determination that this ordinance with additional proposed amendments will not have a substantial economic impact on development; make a finding that it is consistent with the comprehensive plan; and approve the ordinance with those additional amendments(with permission to correct any scrivener’s errors)

BCC PUBLIC HEARINGBCC PUBLIC HEARING

CH. 31.5 SIGN CODE ORDINANCE CH. 31.5 SIGN CODE ORDINANCE

Zoning DivisionZoning Division

September 22, 2015