Meeting Date: April 5, 2023
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Revee Needham, Assistant City Planner
Title
Continued Discussion on Signage Regulations within the Historic District.
Body
Action Requested:
The Heritage Preservation Commission is asked to continue discussing the signage regulations within the Historic District.
Summary Report:
At the December 2022 Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) meeting, the HPC started discussing the signage regulations within the Land Development Code (LDC). The staff report and supplemental memo from that meeting are attached. The HPC is asked to review the signage regulations for clarity, equity, and best practices in mind to make the process better for applicants, staff, and the HPC.
As background, signage regulations are found within Article 6 of the LDC and additional guidelines are found within the Downtown Design Guidelines. There is a distinction between the Downtown Design Guidelines and the LDC Sign Code. The Design Guidelines are flexible and not strictly required, allowing for consideration of each building's unique history and architecture. In contrast, the LDC Sign Code is legally binding, with regulations that must be upheld. The LDC uses language that should be clear, with "shall" as an enforcement. The Design Guidelines uses more vague language such as "should" and "might." There is much less flexibility for interpretation and application within the LDC, in most cases, signs either clearly meet the regulations or they do not. Signs that do not meet the regulations would need to apply for a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). To approve a variance, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
(a) The variance is in harmony with the general purposes and intent of this LDC; and,
(b) The variance is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; and
(c) The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by this LDC; and
(d) Th...
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