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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0843 . . . .' '-... , . . RESOLUTION NO. 843 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA RECOMMENDING AMENDMENT OF THE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TEMPORARY WINDOW SIGNS AND THE DEFINITION bF A SIGN. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission on its own motion held a public ,hearing on January 8, 1974, to consider amending the definition of a sign and the temporary window sign regulations of the Arcadia Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, all interested persons were given full oppor- tunity to be heard and to present evidence; NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL: SECTION 1. That Section 9262.4.3.A.4 of the Arcadia Municipal Code be amended to read as follows: "4. Sign. A sign shall include any figure, character, outline, delineation, announcement, declaration, demonstration, illustration, emblem, words, numerals or letters or attention attracting display or device painted, posted or affixed on any surface used to attract attention to the premises or to advertise or promote the interest of any person, activity, business or enterprise when the same is placed so that it is clearly visible to the general public from an out-of-doors position. A sign shall not include the official flags of the United States of America, the State of California. or the County of Los Angeles, or official notices authorized by a court, public body or public offices, directional, warning or information signs .authorized by federal, state, county or municipal authority for -l- 843 / " , '. . . ~ public safety or the official emblem or insignia of a government or public school." SECTION 2. That Section 9262.4.8 of the Arcadia Municipal Code be amended to read as follows: "9262.4.8. WINDOW SIGNS. A. Definition: A window sign is a sign painted, posted or affixed on a window or glass portion of a door or within a building for display through a window or glass portion of a door or other building opening. B. Size - Area: The total area of window signs in anyone wall shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%,) of the window area of that wall provided that the total area of directly lighted window signs shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of said . . window area." SECTION 3. The Planning Commission finds that the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice justify the above recommendations. SECTION 4. The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a copy to be forwarded to the City Council of the City of Arcadia. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the -2- 843 / , . . . c ' n , . . City of Arcadia held on the 22nd day of the following vote: January , 1974, by AYES: Conuni ss i oners Cl ark, C,oghl an, Perl is, Reiter, Huddy NOES: Conunissioner Hegg ABSENT: Commissioner Erickson ~~~ Chairman ATTEST: !lJtlhrA11/~d , Secretary -3- 843 " . . . January 8, 1974 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: PLANNING DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: T.A. 74-1 DEFINITION OF SIGN AND TEMPORARY WINDOW SIGN REGULATIONS . From time to time signs bave been installed without permits which are in violation of the City's sign regula- tions. The individuals responsible for the illegal in- stallation have contended that the City's code definition of "sign" did not encompass their particular situation. The City has been able to have such illegal installations rectified so as to comply with code requirements. However, this has usually been achieved with considerable diffi- culty and large amounts of City staff time. Periodically questions are raised regarding the use of flags and religious emblems, as they are not expressly addressed in the existing sign regul~tions. The existing code definition of a sign is as follows: "Sign. A sign is anything pJaced on a building or building site for the purpose of advertising dr sales promotion except a sign locatedinstde a building and not used for display to the exterior. 'Sign' shall include 'sign structur~' unless the context in which it is us'ed indicates othe.rwise." The Planning Department believes that the public would be better served by a clearer code def~nition of "~ign." A clearer definition would provide the public with an understanding of the regulations which are appli- cable, and facilitate the City's enforcement of the regu- lations. The Planning Department recommends that the definition of "sign" be revised to read as follows: . 'w " o . . T .A. 74-1 2 Section 9262.4.3.A.4. "Sign. A sign shall include any figure, character, outline, delineation, announcement,-declaration, demon- stration, illustration, emblem, 'words jnumerals or letters or attention attracting display or device painted, posted or affixed on any 'surface used to attract attention to.the premises or to advertise or promote the interest of any person, activity, business or enterprise when the ,same'is.placed so that it is clearly visible to the general public"from an out-of- doors position. A sign shall not include the official 'flags of the Uni ted States of America ,. the State' of- California, or the County of Los Angeles, or official notices author- ized by a court, public body or public offices, direc- tional, warning, or information signs authorized by federal, state, county or municipal authority for public safety, or the official emblem or 'insignia of a government or public school." . There have been abuses of the s.ign regulations rela- tive to window signs. Under normal circumstances a maximum atea of 25 percent of the area of a window is allowed to be used for a window sign. However, the pre&ent code allows for exceptions, and reads as follows: ",Exception. Temporary 'window signs which are in excess of the above limits shall be permitted to ad- vertise special events, provided a business shall not use such temporary window signs for'more than thirty cumulative days per year.." Because no sign permits are required'for window signs, no record as to the' dura tion of' a temporary"window sign or the cumulative number of days is on ,record. 'Thus, there can be little or no actual enforcement of the..time limit regulation. A method for keeping a' record..of over-area "temporary window signs should be established in "order to make the existing regulations effective and enforceable. The Planning Department recommends that S.ection 9262.4. 8. Window Signs, be revised't~read-as follows: . . . . T.A. 74-1 3 "A. Definition: A window sign ,is a sign painted, posted or affixed on a window or glass portion of a door, or within a building for display through a window, or glass portion of a door'or other building opening. B. Size - Area: The total area of window signs in any onewall,&hall npt,exceed,twenty~five percent of the window area,of,that wall:provided that the total area of directly lighted window signs shall not ex- ceed ten percent of said window area. EXCEPTION: Temporary window"signs which are in ex- cess of the above limits shall~be ~ermitted.to adver- tise special events, provided a bu~iness shall not use such temporary window signs'for more than thirty cumulative days in ,any ,one calendar year. ' A,sign , permit shan be obtained .from'the Building'Department prior to the painting, posting or affixing. . Before issuing a sign permit, for 'a' temporary window sign which is in excess of the ,limits outlined in 'B' of the above, the City shall charge and conect a fee in accordance with the applicable fee schedule adopted by resolution of the City Council." The Planning Department does not recol)lll1end that a permit fee be established ,at ,this time. However, the lan- guage which would permit the City Council to establish s.uch a fee, if it finds ,it necessary to' do so, should be included in the text amendment. ' PLANNING DEPARTMENT WILLIAM WOOLARD DIRECTOR OF PLANNING WW:db .