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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07107ORDINANCE NO. 7107 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF TITLE XVII OF THE PUEBLO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF ON -SITE SIGN BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: (Brackets indicate material deleted, underscoring indicates material added.) SECTION 1. Section 17 -2 -1(55) of the Pueblo Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows: (55) Sign, on -site means a sign La) relating in its subject matter to the premises on which it is located or to products, accommodations, services or activities on the premises on which it is located, or (b) identifying businesses conducted on the premises on which it is located. For purposes of this subsection, for shopping centers the term "premises" shall mean all the parcels of real property which comprises the shopping center as evidenced by either (i) a private declaration, covenant, restriction or other document identifying the parcels of real property which comprise such shopping center, or (ii) a City approved site plan identifying the parcels of real property which comprise such shopping center, irrespective of the fact that various portions of such premises may be owned by different owners or leased by different tenants. If applicable pursuant to Section 17- 4-46(b), signs for shopping centers shall conform with the Large Scale Development Performance Standards set forth in Section 174-460) On -site signs do not include signs erected by the outdoor advertising industry in the conduct of the outdoor advertising business. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall become effective on February 23, 2004. INTRODUCED February 9, 2004 BY Michael Occhiato Councilperson APPROVED: _ PRESI ENT OF CITY COUNCIL ATTESTED BY: CITY CLERK PASSED AND APPROVED February 23, 2004 M W WE WLWNk)E9L I Background Paper for Proposed ORDINANCE a� AGENDA ITEM # a k-� DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2004 DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTIJIM MUNCH LAND USE ADMINISTRATION /JIM MUNCH, ACTING DIR. TITLE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF TITLE XVII OF THE PUEBLO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF ON -SITE SIGN ISSUE Should the City Council amend the definition of an on -site sign allowing for the option of combined signage in shopping centers owned by multiple entities as opposed to constructing numerous individual free standing signs? RECOMMENDATION The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval. } Currently the City of Pueblo does not have a sign ordinance. Signs are regulated through the definition section of the Zoning Code, section 17 -2 -1 (55). The amendment to the Municipal Code relating to on -site signs will allow stores within shopping centers with multiple owners, acting as one piece of property, to place a single combined sign on one of the properties. Under current definitions, businesses in shopping centers with multiple owners are forced to construct individual free standing signs on each property. These signs contribute to the growing problem of sign pollution and have a negative visual impact on the community. The goal of the amendment is for the shopping center to choose either a combined sign or separate signs. Should the shopping center be subject to the Large Scale Development Standards, the shopping center can only have one sign. If the shopping center is less than 40,000 sq. ft., the center can choose either or both. This amendment will not impact wall signs but will address problems with individual free standing signs located within shopping centers. FINANCIAL IMPACT - "& 0 (, V q 101*7 None. Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting January 14, 2004 Page 5 of 8 6. Ordinance An Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Definitions, Title XVII of Amendment: the Pueblo Municipal Code relating to on -site signs. (Land Use Administration). Mr. Munch presented the staff report and stated that the City does not have a sign ordinance. He stated that currently staff regulates signs mainly through the Definition Section of the Zoning Code. This new definition will allow stores, in a large scale shopping center, acting as one piece of property, to place a single group sign instead of multiple signs along the road frontage as would be currently allowed. He credited Mr. Cone for bringing this to staffs' attention. Mr. Ahlenius answered questions from the Commission. He stated that the proposed text amendment would not impact wall signs but rather would address problems with freestanding off - premise signs located within shopping centers. This occurs when portions of the property are owned by different entities and signage for each is not within the lot where the business is located. He stated that the goal is for the shopping center to choose either a combined sign or separate signs but not both. This will allow businesses to advertise within a shopping center signs rather than to force them to construct a number of freestanding signs. In addressing questions about the size of a sign, Mr. Ahlenius referenced The Large Scale Development Performance Standards that allows one freestanding sign per separate frontage with a height of less than 50 feet and no more than 800 square feet total area. Currently without sign regulations, each individual business may have any size or height sign that they want. He added that the addition of the new definition is a substantial change. In addressing questions about free standing signs were originally approved, Mr. Ahlenius stated that it appears that many sign permits in the past were not reviewed by the Department of Public Works to determine whose lot they were on and what was being advertised. He added that staff is using every tool they have to regulate signs since there is not a Sign Ordinance within the City of Pueblo. Tom Cone, 102 N. Cascade, Colorado Springs, appeared and stated that in the process of reviewing a plan for a building in the Albertson Store Shopping Center, he found out he would be in violation as having an off -site sign. No one else appeared. Chairman Lytle made the staff report a part of the record and closed the hearing. Ms. Latka, seconded by Ms. Soldan, moved to approve the amendment to the City's sign definition. Motion carried 7 -0 -0.