ID: 636968
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Sign RegulationsIssues and Standards
December 16, 2013
City of Duluth Unified Development CodeSlide2
AgendaSome BasicsApproachIssue Items
HomeworkNext Meeting
2Slide3
Some BasicsCentral Hudson (1980)“Although the Constitution accords a lesser protection to commercial speech than to other constitutionally guaranteed expression….” To be protected:
[It] must concern lawful activity and not be misleading. Next, it must be determined whether the asserted governmental interest to be served by the restriction on commercial speech is substantial. If both inquires yield positive answers: it must then be decided whether the regulation directly advances the governmental interest asserted, and whether it is not more extensive than is necessary to serve that interest.
3Slide4
Some BasicsMetromedia v. San Diego (1981)Content-based regulationsBillboards
Traffic safety & aesthetics are self-evident governmental interestsLadue v. Gilleo (1994)[The city had] “foreclosed an important and distinct medium of expression to political, religious, or personal messages.”Union City v. Justice (1996)Georgia Supreme Court brings it all home.
4Slide5
ApproachBasically keep (or improve on) current restrictions for “normal” situations and address special cases for particular areas or properties.
Generally …Business property with 1 or 2 occupants:1 freestanding monument sign 8’ h x 50 s.f.; corner lot 1/frontage 12’ h x collectively 100 s.f. sign face.Principal wall sign 1/façade, 2 s.f.
per lineal foot (l.f.).Multiple tenants:1 freestanding monument sign
per frontage, 1 s.f. per 1 l.f. of frontage, up to max 20’ h and 150 s.f. sign face.1 principal wall sign/tenant, 2 s.f.
per l.f. of storefront.
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Items to discussShould max sign size be related to adjacent road classification?
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Items to discussShould maximum sign size be related to distance from travel lane (e.g., back of curb
)? Closer to street Farther away
7Slide8
Items to discuss
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Should sign regulations be related to specific Comprehensive Plan “character areas”?Slide9
Items to discussElectronic Changeable Copy Signs (LED signs) Location, spacing, size?
When in lieu of principal monument sign(s) on a property – what rules to apply? What other types of LED signs should or should not be allowed?
9Slide10
Items to discussBillboards.
Monument sign on a vacant property, max. 30 sf.Allow LED signs? Apply Georgia DOT standards as to spacing,and allow location only along State/US highways
? Major thoroughfares?
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Pertinent DOT Provisions
Must be located on property zoned commercial or industrial.
Applies within 660’ of highway.
Minimum spacing 100’ from another sign (500’ from public park, playground,
etc
), UNLESS
LED signs must be 5000’ apart on same side of highway.
LED messages must be held for min. 10 seconds. Static – no video allowed.
Local governments can be more restrictive.Slide11
Items to discussDowntown. Relax standards to create a more exciting environment (neon?) and diversity?
Streamline sign review and approval process? Eliminate separate overview and redundant bureaucracy?
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Items to discussFlags. By definition: non-commercial speech (versus “banners”).
Exempt all (as now)? Regulate? Require that the US flag be flown in accordance with the congressional standards?
12Slide13
Items to discuss“Seasonal and holiday” signs. Exempt entirely or allow as temporary event signage?
Restrictions? Strings of lights? Flashing? Neon? Residential versus nonresidential properties?
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Items to discussTemporary signs: Relate to temporary events.The offering of a property for sale or rent.
The construction of a development project.“Pre-permanent” signage.A “grand opening” of a new business.A special business promotion.A yard sale.
A public announcement of a special event.An election, political campaign,
referendum or ballot proposition.
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Items to discussOther issues identified by the Committee.
15Slide16
HomeworkSend me your thoughts on sign standards for principal freestanding and building signs. Not restricted to the subjects discussed tonight.Photos (helpful), dimensions, number, locational restrictions, etc. (required).
bill@planross.comor billross.theolder@gmail.comby – When?? (Friday Jan 10 or before
?)
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Next MeetingTo review, discuss and debate recommendations.When? Mid-January? (Thursday Jan 23?)
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