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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportSTAFF REPORT Hearing Date: August 6, 2009 TO: Planning & Zoning Commission E IDIAN~-- FROM: Bill Parsons, Associate City Planner I D A H O 208-884-5533 SUBJECT: ZOA-09-002 -Temporary Signs Text Amendment 1. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF APPLICANT'S REQUEST The applicant, the City of Meridian Planning Department, has applied for a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to amend UDC 11-3D-6A.6. The proposed ZOA will extend the amount of time a temporary sign maybe displayed from 90 days to 180 days. 2. SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION Staff is recommending approval of the UDC text amendment (ZOA-09-002) based on the analysis provided below and Findings of Facts listed in Exhibit B. 3. PROPOSED MOTION Approval After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to recommend approval to the City Council of File Number ZOA-09-002 as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of August 6, 2009 with the following modifications: (add any proposed modifications.) Denial After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to recommend denial to the City Council of File Number ZOA-09-002 as presented during the hearing on August 6, 2009 for the following reasons: (You should state specific reasons for denial.) Continuance After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to continue File Number ZOA- 09-002, to (insert specific hearing date), and direct staff to make the following changes: (insert comments here.) 4. APPLICATION FACTS a. Site Address/Location: City-wide. b. Applicant/Representative: City of Meridian Planning Department 33E. Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho 83642 c. Applicant's Statement/Justification: "In response to several business owners who are having difficulties in the current economic climate, the City of Meridian Planning Department is requesting an amendment to the standards for temporary signs listed in UDC 11-3D-6A.6." See applicant's narrative for more information. 5. PROCESS FACTS a. The subject application will in fact constitute a Unified Development Code/Zoning Ordinance amendment as determined by City Ordinance. By reason of the provisions of the Meridian City Code Title 11 Chapter 5, a public hearing is required before the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council on this matter. b. Newspaper notifications published on: July 20 and August 3, 2009 (Planning & Zoning Commission) c. A public service announcement was broadcast faxed on July 10, 2009 regarding this application. 6. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES AND GOALS The City's Comprehensive Plan is a vision and policy document for guiding development and the transportation needs in the City of Meridian. The specific objectives and actions that support the proposed amendment are listed below: Chapter VII • Goal II, Obj. A, #5 -Amend the zoning ordinance and map to implement the provisions of this plan (referring to comprehensive plan). The proposal is an amendment to the UDC which implements the Comprehensive Plan. The proposed change is in response to the business community's desire for additional signage to promote and generate traffic to their establishments. The extended time period for temporary signs may contribute to the success of local businesses thus furthering the goals of the Comprehensive plan by supporting business owners in the community. 7. UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE/ZONING ORDINANCE The Planning Department has initiated the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment in response to comments from the business community and is meant as an interim measure. Currently, City Staff is in the process of re-writing the entire sign code and temporary sign standards will be reviewed in a future ZOA slated for later this year. The section proposed for amending includes the standards that govern temporary signs. More specifically the display times for temporary signs are proposed to increase from 90 days to 180 days. The Planning Department Staff is recommending to amend UDC 11-3D-6A.6 as follows: 6. The following additional standards shall apply to temporary signs that require a permit as set forth in subsection C of this section: a. A temporary sign permit maybe obtained through the planning department for fifteen (15), thirty (30), sixty (60), or ninety (90) day time periods. (1) In no instance shall a temporary sign requiring a permit be displayed for more than ~xet} (~&} one hundred eight~(180~days per year per business. (2) A permit must be obtained for every new temporary sign to be displayed. (3) If a permitted sign is removed for any portion of the permitted time period, the time shall be forfeited and shall not accrue or be added to the allowable display period for a temporary sign. >;,.,. a ~te :F.. ~..,~:~e~~ ,. a „t...,:,,~ ., .....,:. ~ ..,,;,,o.., iom a.,..~ ,,. t,o ot;,.;i.te ~ .... .,a.t:+;,.~,.t ~ .,... ism ,t....~ „ca;~..t.,...;,..o r ..., +o,,....,...,,.... b. The temporary sign permit shall be attached to the approved sign so that it is visible from the nearest public right of way. c. All signs to be placed on private property shall obtain the written consent of the property owner and file that consent with the planning department prior to issuance of a permit. 8. EXHIBITS A. Agency Comments B. Required Findings from the Unified Development Code Exhibit A. Agency Comments A comments meeting was not held because the proposed ZOA does not impact the development of a site. Exhibit B. Required Findings from Unified Development Code 1. Unified Development Code Text Amendments: Upon recommendation from the Commission, the Council shall make a full investigation and shall, at the public hearing, review the application. In order to grant a text amendment to the Unified Development Code, the Council shall make the following findings: 1. The text amendment complies with the applicable provisions of the comprehensive plan; Staff finds that the proposed zoning ordinance amendment complies with the applicable (limited) provisions of the Comprehensive Plan. Please see Comprehensive Plan Policies and Goals, Section 6, of the Staff Report for more information. 2. The text amendment shall not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare; and Staff finds that the proposed text amendment will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare provided property owners comply with the new standard. 3. The text amendment shall not result in an adverse impact upon the delivery of services by any political subdivision providing public services within the City including, but not limited to, school districts. Staff finds that the proposed text amendment does not propose any significant changes to how public utilities and services are provide to developments. All City departments, public agencies and service providers that currently review applications will continue to do so. Please rely on any written or oral testimony provided by any public service provider(s) when making this finding.