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be changed or rearranged mechanically without altering the face of the surface of the sign.). Staff feels the permit process <br />for a change of copy is necessary for two reasons. First, it allows the city to inspect signs that may not have <br />been permitted or inspected in the past. Second it allows the review of what use is occupying a space. If a <br />use is not permitted in a space, staff could discover the use and have the applicant complete the proper <br />application to permit the use, if allowable. This is a fairly significant departure from the current City <br />Ordinance. The challenges to the businesses may include additional regulatory oversight, the requirement <br />that additional improvements to the building are necessary, etc. <br />2. Staff is recommending that the section (30-866) pertaining to rural based business signs be deleted. The <br />ordinance currently allows off-premise signs for rural based businesses. Staff feels it would be beneficial to <br />delete this section because it provides benefits to one group of businesses (rural) over another (urban), and <br />it is inconsistent with the spirit and intent of the zoning ordinance and home occupation regulations. Rural <br />based businesses are often in conflict with neighboring properties, many of whom are occupied by persons <br />desiring the rural lifestyle; adding signage that directs traffic through their areas appears inconsistent. <br />Secondly, these rural based businesses are often home occupations, and the ordinance is fairly clear as to <br />what type of businesses are permitted and not permitted. Businesses requiring frequent traffic to and from <br />them are generally inconsistent with a permitted home occupation. <br />3. Staff is suggesting that business owners be given the option (and perhaps, added benefit) of constructing a <br />monument sign in lieu of a freestanding sign. Currently, businesses are not given the option in the BP and <br />C-4 zoning district. Staff is proposing regulation that would encourage monument signs in the C-3 zoning <br />district by allowing their size to increase by 25%. It is thought that cone-time cost would be offset by the <br />long term benefit of additional signage. The City's benefit is that its streetscapes are not cluttered by poles <br />and sign support structures. <br />4. Currently the ordinance states that all freestanding signs shall have self-supporting structures permanently <br />attached to concrete foundations. Staff believes that many signs are installed with two structural posts that <br />may or may not be concreted in. Staff believes this issue is resolved in the ordinance, by requiring the signs <br />to be consistent with the building code. Staff is not aware of a greater intent behind the ordinance. <br />5. Lastly, staff is proposing a reduction of the size of commercial construction and commercial real estate <br />signs, dropping their allowed size from 64 square feet to 32 square feet. <br />There are, of course, other changes proposed, many of which are considered not substantial. Staff is <br />prepared to answer any questions pertaining to these. <br />Definitions <br />A definition for Moving Signs has been drafted and the definition for Alteration of a Sign has been <br />modified. The Sign Area definition has also been revised to basically state that the area will be the <br />rectangular area that encompasses any and all parts of the sign. Lastly, definitions have been added to <br />include a freestanding sign and a monument sign. <br />Action Motion by Second by Vote <br />Follow Up <br />S:\PLANNING MAIN\Case Files\OA\OA 09-O1 Sign Ord Update\OA 09-O1_PC-2.doc <br />