july 2007 recommended revisions to the citywide sign ordinance presentation to the city planning...
TRANSCRIPT
July 2007
Recommended Revisions
to the Citywide
Sign Ordinance
Presentation to the City Planning Commission
January 22, 2009
January 2009
• 1986: Current sign ordinance adopted
• 2002: Off-site signs, supergraphics and murals prohibited; exceptions include Sign Districts. Lawsuits follow.
• 2002: Ordinance adopted enabling Sign Districts
• 2006: Settlements allow digital conversions
• Dec. 2, 2008: City Council’s PLUM Committee calls for new sign ordinance proposal by January
• Dec. 26, 2008: Interim Control Ordinance on off-site signs, supergraphics, and digital displays
Background
January 2009
• Motion #08-2020 instructed the Planning
Department to:
– “Revise the sign ordinance to toughen and
create easily enforceable time / place /
manner restrictions citywide to protect
neighborhoods”
– “Provide clear criteria related to land use
designations for sign districts”
Council Motion
January 2009
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• “Visual shouting match” is detrimental to both businesses and residents
• A hectic, stressful environment decreases quality of life, can impact health
• Neighborhood character is obscured
• Streetscapes, properties and neighborhoods are devalued
The Costs of Visual Clutter
January 2009
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Recommendation:Stricter Limits on Total Sign Area
Current Proposed
Total Sign Area(ratio of square feet of sign area per foot of street frontage)
More than 4:1 1:1, plus
premises sign area
Premises Sign Area
None 25 square feet per premises
January 2009
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January 2009
• Sign area limited
to 80 square feet
• Sign height
limited to sign
area divided by 4
• An 80 square
foot sign could
be 20 feet tall
Recommendation:Stricter Limits on Pole Signs
January 2009
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• Wall signs to include supergraphics and mural signs
• Sign area limited to 100 square feet
• Height limited to 35 feet (applies to all signs)
• Not permitted to cover windows
• Can cover up to 40% of a wall
• Larger murals could be permitted as public art (under a separate ordinance)
Recommendation: Revised Limits on Wall Signs
January 2009
Example 1: Mini-mall (existing standards)
January 2009
Example 1: Mini-mall (proposed standards)
January 2009
Example 2: “Big Box” Retail (existing standards)
January 2009
Example 2: “Big Box” Retail (proposed standards)
January 2009
Example 3: High-Rise (existing standards)
January 2009
Example 3: High-Rise (proposed standards)
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Digital displays have all of the impacts of other signage, plus:
• Exceptional Visual Intensity
• Roadway Hazards
• Light Pollution
• Light Trespass
• Energy Inefficiency
Recommendation: Prohibit digital displays
January 2009
The distinction is very difficult to enforce:
– Requires subjective judgment of sign
content
– Numerous examples of difficult
judgment calls
– Growing problem with switching of sign
copy after permitting
Recommendation:Remove “On-Site” vs. “Off-Site”
January 2009
Recommendation: Stricter Standards for Sign Districts
Current Proposed
Minimum Size
Smaller of 1 block or 3 acres
10,000 linear feet of street frontage
Zoning / Land Use
C or M zones, or R5 zones in Regional Centers
Only in Regional Centers / Regional Commercial areas
Ownership No requirement More than five property owners
Required Findings
Same as for Zone Changes
Zone Change findings plus unique Sign District findings
January 2009
Regional Centers
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• Sign Modifications– Review by Zoning Administrator
– Only for area and height requests up to 20%
• Prohibit roof signs
• Simplify formulas and sign types
Other Key Recommendations
January 2009
Comparison to Other Cities
Regulation Trends among other cities
L.A. standard (current)
L.A. standard (proposed)
Total Sign Area
In L.A. area:
Under 1:1 (2 cities); 1:1 to 2:1 (2 cities)
More than 4:1 1:1 plus premise sign area (25 sf)
Digital displays
All cities prohibit; 4 cities allow them in special districts
Before ICO, allowed everywhere
Allow in Sign Districts
Roof signs All prohibit, except Burbank
Allowed with strict limits
Prohibit
Twelve cities were surveyed: Boston, Burbank, Culver City, Glendale, New York City, Pasadena, Portland, San Antonio, San Jose, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood
January 2009
Comparison to Other Cities(continued)
Regulation Trends among other cities
L.A. standard (current)
L.A. standard (proposed)
Pole sign height
Most limit height between 15-25 ft
42 feet Sign area / 4 (max 20 feet)
Pole sign area
Limits range from 50 to 200 sq ft
400 square feet 80 square feet
Wall sign height
Limits range from 17 feet to roof level
No limit 35 feet
Wall sign area
Limits range from 50 to 200 sq ft
Complex formula
100 square feet
Wall sign coverage
3 cities limit wall coverage; 25 – 40%
No limit 40% of wall
January 2009
Questions / Comments
Conclusion