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2 <br /> <br />2. The proposed ordinance brings temporary signs for noncommercial speech into compliance <br />with state law and sets a cap of (3) three such signs outside of election season. Additionally, the <br />revised code streamlines other minor aspects of temporary sign permits for <br />commercial/business use. <br />3. The proposed ordinance allows billboards to be upgraded to dynamic display signs (a type of <br />changeable digital display) but with caveats that the support columns of billboards receive <br />architectural treatments, a visible City insignia must be placed on the support column, and that <br />the City receive free community messaging hours on the sign each month. The proposal <br />follows best practices adopted by other communities to ensure that such signs are not <br />distractions to drivers. <br />4. The proposed ordinance reorganizes the entire chapter and corrects other errors or omissions <br />(such as definitions) in the current text of the Chapter. <br /> <br />DETAILS OF CHANGES <br />“District Regulations” - Permanent Signs (Wall and Freestanding) <br />The sign code currently has “District Regulations” which provide standards for permanent signs in <br />each of the City’s zoning districts. Staff made the following sets of changes: <br /> <br />Organization <br />1. The subsections were restructured to clearly state what type of signage was permitted (wall, <br />freestanding, or both). The sign types allowed are currently “stated” through a combination of <br />explicit and implicit statements for each zoning district, but the issue is not consistently <br />addressed in the Code. The proposed “Permitted Signs” to start each zoning districts <br />regulations ensures a clear and consistent interpretation of the Code. <br /> <br />Standards <br />Content changes/clarifications were made for the permanent sign standards for the P, C-1, C-2, I-1, and <br />I-2 districts. These zoning districts contain most businesses in Little Canada. The standards are <br />currently confusing and/or contradictory as observed on Page 7 of the current Code (Attachment 3)– <br />Section 916.050, 4a. <br /> <br />Staff have proposed the following changes/clarifications: <br /> <br />2. For stand-alone businesses, the proposed code allows two signs per parcel, either two wall <br />signs or a wall and a freestanding sign. There is no requirement to have two signs. A “bonus” <br />wall sign is allowed if the property has frontage on two streets. <br /> <br />3. Clarifies that the maximum sign area allowed for a parcel is the sum of all visible sign faces <br />(meaning both sides of a double-sided freestanding sign count for area). <br /> <br />4. The proposed code removes a line that states that states properties can alternatively have a <br />single pylon sign. This provision predates the last edit of the Zoning Code but a “pylon sign” <br />has never been formally defined in Little Canada’s Code. Additionally, a “pylon sign” is <br />essentially a freestanding sign and the existing provisions would adequately address the issue. <br /> <br />5. For Comprehensive Sign Plans, Staff is proposing to limit wall signs to one per tenant in a <br />shopping center which is not a standard under the current code. As a matter of administrative <br />review and enforcement, Staff will permit wall signs in shopping centers if they propose <br />signage that meets the 15% of “gross silhouette area” calculation, using their tenant space’s