07/14/2004 P&Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • AGENDA ITEM VI. A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jeff Smyser P & Z MEETING DATE: July 14, 2004 TOPIC: Discussion: Temporary Signage BACKGROUND Recall that the P & Z held a special meeting on June 16th to discuss temporary signage. We sent letters to 40+ businesses inviting them to the meeting. The letter encouraged them to pass the invitation to others as well. Representatives of two business attended along with three real estate agents. The real estate people were concerned about the potential for prohibiting "for sale" and "open house" signs along roads. The current ordinance exempts such signs from regulation. Up until then, the discussion never included changing the ordinance to regulate real estate signs of this type. Staff would recommend we not pursue this. Such signs are in place for a matter of hours or days, are very small, and only rarely are there enough of them in one location as to constitute an eyesore. They should not be in a road right of way, however. The two business owners raised certain issues, which are listed below as bullet points. I have added some brief comments for each. • Temporary signs are important for grand openings and special sales. Temporary signs are very effective. A real estate representative stated that signs produce better results than other forms of advertising. There is no doubt that signage is important and necessary. We need to address how much signage, where, and for how long? • Signs are not the only thing that affect appearance of a business. There is no doubt that the general appearance of a business involves many things, only one of which is signage. This does not dilute the importance of signage. • The current ordinance does not define "banner ". Clearly, the existing sign ordinance does not address the issues in a satisfactory manner. That is why this issue is being discussed. Definitions can and should be amended. Banners are a form of temporary signage and should be included in the definition of temporary signs.