PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
____________________________________________________________________________
TO: Honorable Chairman and DATE: 11/19/02 FILE: CAO03-0426
Members of the Board of
County Commissioners
SUBJECT: Proposed Amendments to the Pasco County Land Development Code, Sections 201, 307 and 601, Pertaining to Signage – First Public Hearing (BCC: 11/26/02; 9:30 A.M.- NPR)
FROM: Barbara L. Wilhite REFERENCES: Introduction: 09/24/02; 9:30
Chief Assistant County Attorney A.M.; NPR
CORC: 10/09/02; 10/14/02
____________________________________________________________________________
It is recommended that the data herein presented be given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners.
DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS:
Please find before you for a first public hearing the proposed amendments to the Pasco County Land Development Code, Sections 201, 307, and 601 pertaining to signage. The proposed ordinance has been modified as directed by the Board on November 13, 2002. A summary of the major modifications to the version of the ordinance that was introduced is as follows:
1. The definition of abandoned sign (see section 201) has been modified to only apply to nonconforming signs and to provide that to be considered abandoned a nonconforming sign must bear no sign or copy or incorrectly identify the business for a period of six (6) months (instead of ninety (90) days as set forth in the previous draft). Further, the maintenance requirement was revised to address Board concerns regarding maintenance of outdated, yet conforming signs (601.20.B.).
2. Provisions for colonnade signs in non-residential districts, which are signs "suspended below the roof of a covered walkway, perpendicular to the façade of the structure, oriented to pedestrians and identifying the premises adjacent to it," have been added to the definitions (section 201) and to section 601.14.C.6.
3. The proposed ordinance has been revised to allow for the use of sandwich signs in non-residential districts with regulations as to height, size, number, and location on a sidewalk in proximity to the main front door of the establishment (See 601.5.A.19).
4. The proposed ordinance has been revised to allow for the use of banners and advertising balloons in non-residential districts with regulations limiting the use to four (4) times per year per business establishment with a permit requirement (see 601.16.A.9).
5. The ground sign regulations for multiple occupancy parcels have been revised to allow for an additional combined multiple occupancy sign where the frontage of the parcel exceeds 1,500 feet, but to limit the height of each sign to fifteen (15) feet and the total sign area for both signs to 300 square feet in sign structure area (see 601.14.C.1.d.).
6. Real estate sign provisions have been revised as follows (section 601.5A.9):
A. In residential zoning districts. Maximum 4 1/2 square feet in sign surface area, where the property being advertised or developed has a street frontage of less than five hundred (500) feet. In E-R and E-R2, the maximum is 6 square feet in sign surface area.
B. Allow property on a navigable waterway to have an additional sign on the waterfront side of the property.
C. In nonresidential districts. Maximum 32 square feet regardless of street frontage.
7. Nonconforming use provisions have been revised to specifically identify the types of signs that will have to be removed after the ordinance is adopted because they are prohibited and to identify the time period for removal. (see 601.6.B.).
The following types of signs will be required to be removed within ninety (90) days after the adoption of the ordinance: snipe signs; signs other than sandwich signs placed on sidewalk or curb; vehicle signs; signs which imitate or resemble official traffic or government signs or obstruct such signs from view; signs on public property or public right of way; bench signs on private property; inflatable signs or devices; illegal signs; beacon lights; window signs which cover more than 25% of the window area; signs in or upon the water and signs on piers or seawalls; portable signs; pennants; festoons; banner signs and advertising balloons which do not comply with section 601.16(A)(9); and sandwich signs that do not meet the requirements of section 601.5(19).
The revisions require all of the types of signs listed above to be removed within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the ordinance. The Board advised on November 13, 2002, that it desired a longer time period (i.e. six months) for the removal of one type of portable sign which is the type designed to be transported by trailer or on its own wheels and is commonly used under the current ordinance. However, the County's attorney consultant, Susan Trevarthan, and the County Attorney's Office recommend for legal reasons that all of the types of signs that will be required to be removed be treated the same as it relates to the time period for removal.
In order to address the concern of the Board of County Commissioners to allow more time for the removal of the most commonly used type of portable sign, the Board may want to allow 120 days (instead of 90 days) for removal of all of the types of signs listed above, including this type of portable sign. Under the current ordinance, this type of portable sign is only allowed for 60 days each six months (i.e. 120 days per year).
ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS:
1. Accept the attached proposed Amendments to the Pasco County Land Development Code Sections 201, 307 and 601 Pertaining to Signage.
2. Direct revisions to the attached proposed Amendments to the Pasco County Land Development Code Sections 201, 307 and 601 Pertaining to Signage.
RECOMMENDATION AND FUNDING:
The County Attorney’s Office recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve alternative number 1, listen to public comment, and continue the public hearing to December 10, 2002, at 9:30 a.m., at the Historic Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Avenue, Dade City, Florida, for a final public hearing on this ordinance at which time the Board of County Commissioners will be asked to take final action on the Ordinance.
No funding is required for this item.
cc: Samuel P. Steffey, II, Administrator, Growth Management
Joseph Gross, CEP, Ass't Zoning/Code Compliance Administrator
Cynthia M. Jolly, P.E., Director, Development Department