City Council Minutes 2019 09 03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes September 3, 2019 Page 7 of 14 Ritchie stated minor changes to the downtown sign code include awning sign measurement and area, additional flexibility on canopy sign design, allowing any color halo light rather than white or yellow only; and excludes properties on the east side of the railroad tracks where the mixed use standards apply One substantial change would allow murals beyond downtown in commercial and mixed use areas, but not in residential areas Section 5 — Temporary Signs Ritchie noted the City cannot regulate sign type based on the purpose of the sign, there are now types of signs, banners, site signs, yard signs and window signs with time, place and manner for those temporary signs Sandwich board signs allowed in downtown but in other areas must stay on private property Councilmember Leh asked about the signs people put in the street concerning children at play Ritchie noted technically those would not be allowed if they are on public property Ritchie stated staff did not draft new language for temporary signs, but that can be added if Council is interested Marijuana signs are addressed in the municipal code in Title 5 which requires signage to contain only the business name and trademark. City Council can require this as a compelling governmental interest. Mayor Pro Tem Lipton stated the ordinance requires compliance with the sign code in anything that requires a building permit. He was concerned we are requiring businesses to upgrade their signs if they are pulling a permit for something completely different. He wanted to make sure a renovation would not trigger having to get a new sign Director Zuccaro said the ordinance would not trigger that. Mayor Pro Tem Lipton asked about how sandwich boards affect ADA compliance for sidewalk clearance Ritchie noted the code is clear how much clearance is required so it then becomes an enforcement issue Mayor Pro Tem Lipton was concerned the use of the electronic message centers may be too restrictive Ritchie stated in the early drafts more were allowed with certain restrictions After feedback from Planning Commission, Business Retention and Development Committee and the Downtown Business Association staff felt it was too lenient to leave it as a use by right. Councilmember Leh stated we are trying to balance the values of small town character with the rights of businesses and their first amendment rights He noted complaints about signs are more numerous than we would want to admit. We get complaints about who is cited and who isn't so it is critical we are fair and consistent.