Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1207.17, “SIGNS,” OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO IMPLEMENT REVISIONS TO SIGN ILLUMINATION STANDARDS.
Brief Description: Proposed amendment to revise regulations related to internal illumination of signs within District 6 Western Hudson Gateway and District 8 Industrial/Business Park.
Body
Legislative History
None
Purpose & Explanation
The LDC primarily restricts illumination of signs to an external light source. The code does provide some limited allowance for internal illumination for wall signs within District 6 and 8 (commercial/industrial zoning) on buildings larger than 100,000 square feet and with a minimum setback of 500 feet. This allowance currently limits available sites to the Joann’s facility on Darrow Road and a couple of parcels within the Hudson Crossing Business Park.
Over the previous couple of years staff has received multiple inquires and variance requests for internal illumination within District 6 and 8 but for facilities which can not meet the minimum building size or setback standards. Variance requests have been approved in two instances within Hudson Crossing Business Park; however, a third was denied as the BZBA acknowledged requests for additional internal illumination may be more appropriate as a text amendment consideration rather than continued variance requests.
Staff has prepared a draft amendment that would remove the size and sign setback requirements and establishes a 500 foot setback for all internal illumination signs (wall signs and ground signs) from an arterial street (LDC definition includes Darrow Road, Streetsboro Street, Seasons Road, Boston Mills Road, and Terex Road). This new setback standard would provide some additional accommodation while focusing internally illuminated signs to be within the interior of industrial zoned districts. The attached exhibit depicts the locations where such signs could be permitted.
Planning Commission reviewed the request and conducted a public hearing on November 8, 2021. The Planning Commission forwarded a recommendation to approve with the condition that the internal illumination be limited to building units of at least 50,000 square feet.
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04, Contracts & Purchasing:
Competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks; bid tab attached: [Yes/No/NA])
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
Professional Services
X Other, not applicable.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
X Appropriation Not Required
Does this legislation require use of an emergency clause?
Yes [if so, explain why]
X No
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends City Council receive the Planning Commission recommendation, conduct a public hearing, and then act of the requested amendment.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Thomas J. Sheridan, Asst City Manager, Professional Services
Greg Hannan, Community Development Director