HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo to Mayor Sign Ordinance Update H00 pJsl,
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MEMORANDUM nit
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TO: MAYOR JTM BRAINARD �7 V-Ett'"e C
FROM: R:1CHELBOONE,DOCS �` .�`• O aw"
SUBJECT: SIGN ORDINANCE IPDA'I'E � �'`,'q^'/��� ,`.�
DATE: 8/25/2011 W
CC: MIKE HOLLI 3A Ii,DIRECTOR OF DOCS
GOALS
1. Address the business community's concerns wherever possible by:
a. Making the Sign Ordinance more fair/equal across the board
• b. Making it easier to understand by condensing sections and utilizing more consistent language/terms
c. Provide links to definitions and maps/overlay zones
2. Maintain key provisions which set Carmel apart from other cities
3. Re-arrange and condense sections of Sign Ordinance to be clearer/easier to read and understand
4. Eliminate repetition within the Sign Ordinance
BIG CHANGES
1. Create a Visual Sign Ordinance with examples and text showing what each section means
2. General Provisions
a. Adding clarification to Sign Maintenance provisions
b. Condensing/clarifying Prohibited Sign section
3. Permanent Signs
a. Combine Subdivision & Multi-Family Housing Complex to Residential Complex
b. Combine 1-Tome Occupation and Bonding House for Residential and Business zones
c. Combine Institutional and Recreational Uses into one section
d. Eliminate Special Use and Use Variance sign section
e. New section for Multi-Tenant Buildings, which combines the following sections:
i. Multi-Tenant Ground Floor Building
• ii. Mutli-Tenant Multi-Level Building
iii. Multi-Tenant Building Complex
iv. Multi-level, Mixed Use Building (a new category)
f. Simplify Window Sign provisions
g. Combine Old Town and Old Meridian sections
h. Add Carmel Dr. —Range Line Rd. Overlay Zone section
4. Temporary Signs
a. Combine Subdivision and Non-Residential & Multi-Family Complex Construction signs into one
Construction Sign section
b. Clarifying Real Estate sign section
c. Combine Additional Signs in Residential Zones and Signage for Temporary Uses
d. Expand Permitted Banners section to be more like the other sections
MORE SPECIFIC CHANGES
1. Adding a Design section/requirement through the Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
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2. Requiring all signs only be placed 5' from the street right of way, for maximum visibility tegardless or
residential or business zoning
3. Changeable copy not to exceed 50% of sign area, previously only 30% was allowed
4. Adding Pedestrian level projecting signs
5. Adding portable sign or display of merchandise within the street right of way for Old Town and Old
Meridian sections
6. All construction signs can be 32 sq. ft. —no difference between residential and business
7. Real estate signs in business zones with lots greater than 5 acres can now have 32 sq. ft. of signage,
previously only 20 was allowed
1.
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CHAMBER AND COMMUNITY ISSUES
1. Wants signage to be allowed based on facades, not public street frontage
2. Process for approving signage —going through ADLS Amendment and being required to,go to the Plan
Commission Committee is costly and time consuming. Especially if the applicant has--just.missed the
deadlines
3. Fees are too high in general - should differentiate between temporary and permanent sign fees
4. Main Street/Old Town being allowed more signage than other parts of the City—specifically A-Frame and
portable signs
5. Color restrictions for certain shopping centers
G. 'oliticai-signs sho d-hav6me-htnit-30-days-prior-and-must berremovedwithin one week of the election
Not fair to allow the same number of signs for a two story building and a six story building.'Leasable square
footage should come into play
8. Business community wants digital messaging signs
9. Trees block signage
10. Day cares: churches and non-profits are allowed advertising signage through publie event application but
private for profit businesses are not allowed advertising: Not fair.
OTHER CHANGES WE ARE WORKING ON
1. Drive thru menu signs: Adding a "preview board" sign and increasing the allowable size of the main menu
board due to many variance requests to have larger menus .
2. Identification signs on each facade for a building that has been built up to the street
3. Giving Hospitals and Car Sale Lots their own section because of multitude of signage needed and past
variances that have been requested •
4. Making a section to deal with large events that draw regional patrons, i.e. Golf Championships, Super Bowl,
sports tournaments, etc.
5. Updating the Sign Size chart so it is based off a mathematical calculation
6. Adding a provision in Ch. 29 explaining waived fees
7. Adding Barber Shop poles to some part of the ordinance, officially making them legal
8. Adding a section for signage on umbrellas .
• 9. Real estate signs becoming permanent signs instead of temporary signs— they never go away
10. Recycling/Donation bins at schools and business parking lots "popping up"
11. Need to address Open House and Garage Sale Signs
12. Need to address "sponsors" of signage/off premise advertising
13. Determine'a safe distance for signs to be located from a round-a-bout, would prefer that-no sign is-installed
directly facing a round-a-bout
14. Grade separation —some signs are not visible because of drop in grade. Currently a variance is required to
bring it up to the height of the road/street grade. Can we change the requirement to allow a sign to be
installed at grade level?
15. Is building lighting considered signage? i.e. Red robin,gas stations, exposed LED or neon accent lighting
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