PZ - Staff Report STAFF REPORT
HEARING DATE: March 2,2017 E IDIANAr--1
I
TO: Planning and Zoning Commission DAHO
FROM: Bill Parsons,Planning Supervisor
208-884-5533
SUBJECT: H-2017-0009—Sign Ordinance Text Amendment
I. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF APPLICANT'S REQUEST
The West Ada School District has applied for a text amendment to modify UDC 11-3D-8C to allow
an increase in background area and sign height of freestanding signs AND time period for which a
message is conveyed with a changeable copy sign for multi-family and allowed non-residential uses
in residential zoning districts.
NOTE: The text changes proposed by the applicant are provided in red font in Exhibit A. Staff
recommended changes to the applicant's proposal are provided in a strike-out and underline format
in Exhibit B.
II. SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the proposed text amendments to the UDC based on the analysis
provided in Section VII and the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law listed in Exhibit B.
III.PROPOSED MOTION
Approval
After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to recommend approval to the City
Council of File Number H-2017-0009 as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of March 2,
2017 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 H-2017-0009 as presented during the hearing on March 2, 2017 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 H-2017-
0009, to (insert specific hearing date), and direct staff to make the following changes: (insert
comments here.)
IV.APPLICATION FACTS
A. Site Address/Location: Citywide
B. Applicant:
West Ada School District
1303 E. Central Drive
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Sign Ordinance Text Amendment—H-2017-0009 1
C. Applicant's Statement/Justification: See narrative and Exhibit A for more information.
V. PROCESS FACTS
A. The subject application is for a Unified Development Code Text 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: February 10,2017 (Commission)
C. A public service announcement was broadcast via email on February 2, 2017 (Commission)
regarding this application.
VI. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES AND GOALS
Staff finds that the subject Unified Development Code Text Amendment complies with and furthers
the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
The specific objectives and actions that support the proposed amendment are listed below:
• "Keep current the Unified Development Code and Future Land Use Map to implement the
provisions of this plan."(7.01.01A)
The applicant request is to only increase the signage height and background area for those
facilities along collector and arterial roadways when there is at least 750 lineal feet of street
frontage. This request is consistent with other sections of the sign ordinance. The applicant believes
the signage is needed to effectively inform the traveling public about upcoming school events and
other public safety announcements.
• "Enforce City Codes."(3.05.02D)
Staff believes the proposed changes should not be detrimental to the welfare of the community. As
mentioned above the requested changes are consistent with other sections of the sign ordinance.
However, staff is recommending changes to the applicant's proposal to ensure impacts are minimal
when such signs are adjacent to nearby residences. Staff also believes the proposed changes make
it easier to enforce and consistent with other sections of the code.
VII.ANALYSIS
The applicant has applied for a text amendment to modify UDC 11-3D-8C to allow an increase in
background area and sign height of freestanding signs and time period for which a message is conveyed
with a changeable copy sign for multi-family and allowed non-residential uses in residential zoning
districts. Current code allows a maximum height of 8 feet and a maximum background area of 50 square
feet when a freestanding sign is proposed in a residential zoning district for multi-family developments
and allowed non-residential uses. The applicant's proposal would allow the height of the sign to increase
to 15 feet in height and allow a maximum background area to increase to 80 square feet if the property
has more than 750 lineal street frontage along a collector and/or arterial roadway. The increase in height
and background area proposed by the applicant is identical to the freestanding sign allowance in the L-O
zoning district.
Note: The size of the background area also has a direct correlation to size of the changeable copy sign.
The changeable copy sign allowance is 30 percent of the proposed background area. This section of the
sign code is not proposed to be modified with the subject application.
Sign Ordinance Text Amendment—H-2017-0009 2
The other request deals with the time period for which a message is conveyed with a changeable copy
sign. Current code restricts the number of changes to copy to one (1) hour intervals. The applicant is
proposing that the copy be allowed to change at eight (8) second intervals consistent with other sections
on the sign code (commercial and industrial districts). Staff believes the current requirement was imposed
to minimize the impacts to other residential uses that are typically found around school sites. For this
reason staff is not amenable to the request and has proposed a modification to the applicant's request.
Staff believes the one (1) hour interval is too restrictive and recommends that the code by modified to
allow the changeable copy to change in fifteen(15)minute intervals (see Exhibit B).
Staff recommends approval of the proposed text changes with the modification proposed by staff.
VIII.EXHIBITS
A. Strike-out/Underline Version of the Proposed Changes
B. Staff s Recommended Change
C. Required Findings from the Unified Development Code
Sign Ordinance Text Amendment—H-2017-0009 3
Exhibit A.—Strike-out/Underline Version of the Proposed Changes
C.Business Signs For Multi-ram ily Developments And Allowed Nonresidential Uses:In addition to the
general standards for business idan,ification signs set forth in this section,the following standards
shall apply to lousiness identification signs for multi-family developments and allowed nonresidential
uses(R-2 R-4 R-9, R-15, R-40,and TN-R),excluding accessary uses'(Ord. 13-1545,3-5-2013)
1,Building signs are allowed and shall meet thefolloWng standards;
a.Allawance:The combined area of all building signs on a single farads shall not exceed ten
percent(10%)of the area of such facade,
b,Awning Signs:Awning slgns are allowed and shall meet the standards set forth in subsection A8 of this
section.
c.Canopy Signs.Canopy signs are allowed and shall meet the standards set forth in subsection A10 of
this Section.
d,Changeable Copy Signs:Changeable copy signs proposed as building signs are allowed. In
addition to the standards set forth In subsection At 1 of this section all changeable copy building
signs shall meet the following standards:
(1)Any changeable copy building sign visible from a public street shall be programmed as follows:
All displays,Including,but no.limited to,graphics,letters,numbers,color andiar brightness shall
remain unchanged for a minimum of one hour,except that any text messages that are longer than
the display area and do not contain any graphics may scroll in a consistent and predictable
manner.
(2)Only one changeable copy sign proposed as a building sign shall be allowed per facade area.
e_Hanging Signs: Hanging signs are allowed and shall meet the standards set forth in subsection Al of
this section
f Wall Signs:Wall signs are allowed and shall meet the standards set forth in subsection Alb of this
section.
g-Window Signs-Window signs are allowed and shall meet the standards set forth in subsection A19 of
this section-
2. Banners are pnohiblted,except ac allowed by section 11.3D-9 of this article,
3. Directional signs are"ibited.
4,Freestanding signs are allowed. In addition to the standards set forth in subsection A14 of this section,
all freestanding signs shall meet thefollcwing standards'
a_The maxim urn background area of any freestanding sign shall not exceed fifty(50)square feet.
b_The maximum height of any freestanding sign shall not exceed eight feet(6).
G.A maximum of one freestandlnc sign Is allowed per property_
d.Properties exceeding seven hundred fifty(75a}liner feet on an arterial or collectorsireet frontag6 may
be allowed an additional height allowa nce and background area.Such signs shall not exceed fifteen
(15)feet in height nor shall such sign exceed seighty(80)square feet of background area.Only one
such sign shall be allowed per street frontage.
e.Changeable copy signs proposed as freestanding signs are allowed. In addition to the standards
set forth in subsection Al2 of this sartlon,all changeable copy freestanding signs shalt meet the
following standards:
(1)Any changeable copy freestanding sign visible from a public street shall be programmed as
follows,All displays,including,but not limited to,graphics,letters,numbers,color andVcr brightness
shall remain unchanged fora minimum of efle 1iuw eght(8)seconds,except that any text messages
that are longer than the display area and do not Contain any graphics may scroll in a consistent and
predictable manner.
(2)Only one changeable copy sign proposed as a freestanding sign shall be allowed per property.
Sign Ordinance Text Amendment—H-2017-0009 4
Exhibit B. Staffs Recommended Changes
d. Changeable copy signs proposed as freestanding signs are allowed. In addition to the standards set forth
in subsection Al2 of this section, all changeable copy freestanding signs shall meet the following
standards:
(1)Any changeable copy freestanding sign visible from a public street shall be programmed as follows:
All displays,including,but not limited to, graphics, letters,numbers, color and/or brightness shall remain
unchanged for a minimum of fifteen(15)minute intervals, except that any text
messages that are longer than the display area and do not contain any graphics may scroll in a consistent
and predictable manner.
(2)Only one changeable copy sign proposed as a freestanding sign shall be allowed per property.
Sign Ordinance Text Amendment—H-2017-0009 5
Exhibit C.—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:
A. The text amendment complies with the applicable provisions of the comprehensive plan;
Staff finds that the proposed UDC text amendment complies with the applicable provisions of
the Comprehensive Plan. Please see Comprehensive Plan Policies and Goals, Section 6, of
the Staff Report for more information.
B. The text amendment shall not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, and
welfare; and
Staff finds that the proposed zoning ordinance amendment will not be detrimental to the
public health, safety or welfare. It is the intent of the text amendment to further the health,
safety and welfare of the public.
C. 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 zoning ordinance amendment does not propose any significant
changes to how public utilities and services are provided to developments. All City
departments, public agencies and service providers that currently review applications will
continue to do so. Please refer to any written or oral testimony provided by any public service
provider(s)when making this finding.
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