Review Ordinance Amending Digital Display Billboard Regulations

The purpose of this case is to finalize direction on the ordinance language prior to holding a public hearing on the amendment.  The public hearing is planned for the May Planning Commission meeting.  Additionally, an Open House has been scheduled for 5:30-6:30 p.m. prior to the May Planning Commission meeting to provide the public an opportunity to learn more about the consideration.

The City Council, Planning Commission and EDA have all reviewed and provided input at various stages of this consideration.  The EDA has also supported terms of a lease with a private company to construct a digital billboard on City owned land.  The lease is attached to the case for reference.  The City Council will consider the lease in June in conjunction with the ordinance amendment.

There remain discrepancies between what has been supported by the EDA and the Planning Commission.  The ordinance in its current draft provides a size limit of 700 sq. ft., however, the Planning Commission discussed a smaller size of 400 sq. ft.  Additionally, the terms of the lease identify a seven (7) duration for the ad to be displayed.  The Planning Commission has supported no shorter than eight (8) seconds.

Additional observations by staff include the following:

• For spacing, current regulations state no closer than two (2) miles from each other with a total number allowed of three (3).  Depending on the location of a sign near the midway point of the Highway 10 corridor, three signs may not be able to meet regulations.
• For setbacks, current regulations state the setback must meet principal structure setbacks.  This would require a 35 foot setback from the front property line.
• For site restrictions, current regulations would not allow a sign to be placed on a site with a building already located on it.  This would limit signs to only vacant parcels.

Staff is handling this case as part of regular duties.  WSB & Associates helped draft the ordinance, but has not had recent input on the case.

Provide direction to staff for any adjustments to the language prior to advertising for a public hearing at the May 26, 2022 Planning Commission meeting.

Specifically, staff is seeking direction on sign size limitation, ad display duration, spacing requirements, setback requirements and site restrictions.