| ITEM #: 13. DATE: 10/30/2023 AI #:1721 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | COMMERCIAL TOURISM RESORT AND HOTEL SIGN FREE ZONE |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Christian M. Williams, AICP, Principal Planner |
SUMMARY
Request to consider the approval of a Resolution creating Commercial Tourism, Commercial Resort and Hotel Sign Free Zones within the City of Goodyear, in accordance with A.R.S. § 16-1019(F).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-2336, AUTHORIZING ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR COMMERCIAL TOURISM RESORT AND HOTEL SIGN FREE ZONES PURSUANT TO A.R.S. § 16-1019(F) WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF GOODYEAR AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATE. (Christian M. Williams, AICP, Principal Planner)
FISCAL IMPACT
The action does not incur a cost on the city or cause a fiscal impact on the city. The policy aligns with state law and allows for political signs within the right of way to be removed in order to not detract from the scenic and aesthetic appeal within the city’s commercial tourism, resort and hotel areas.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
On April 28, 2011, the then governor signed HB2500, which enacted changes to A.R.S. § 16-1019 such that municipalities are pre-empted from enforcing municipal sign codes in regard to political signs within municipal rights-of-way ("ROW") during certain periods before and after election dates.
A.R.S. § 16-1019 (F.) allows for an exception for up to two areas to be designated by the municipality as a commercial tourism, commercial resort and hotel sign free zones ("Sign Free Zones"), as such Sign Free Zones are designated by the municipality whereby political signs can be removed from the ROW.
A.R.S. § 16-1019 (F.) allows for an exception for up to two areas to be designated by the municipality as a commercial tourism, commercial resort and hotel sign free zones ("Sign Free Zones"), as such Sign Free Zones are designated by the municipality whereby political signs can be removed from the ROW.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Since the enactment of A.R.S. § 16-1019, the city has yet to implement Sign Free Zones within Goodyear.
The city has experienced tremendous growth of commercial, tourism, resort and hotel activity within two areas of the city:
The proposed Resolution would designate, in accordance with A.R.S. § 16-1019(F.), Sign Free Zones and allow the city to restrict the placement of political signs within the ROW of said Sign Free Zones which detract from the scenic and aesthetic appeal of the area and deter its appeal to tourists.
The city has experienced tremendous growth of commercial, tourism, resort and hotel activity within two areas of the city:
- the Civic Square and Entertainment area ( “North Zone – Civic Square and Entertainment Sign Free Zone”); and,
- the Ballpark Village areas (“South Zone – Ballpark Village Sign Free Zone”)
The proposed Resolution would designate, in accordance with A.R.S. § 16-1019(F.), Sign Free Zones and allow the city to restrict the placement of political signs within the ROW of said Sign Free Zones which detract from the scenic and aesthetic appeal of the area and deter its appeal to tourists.