Title
PROPOSAL TO ALLOW CHANGEABLE COPY ELECTRONIC SIGN IN STOREFRONT WINDOWS IN THE DOWNTOWN COMMERCE DISTRICT
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Council Initiative: Preserve and enhance neighborhoods, Address quality of place issues
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: N/A
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) recommended proposed amendments to the Downtown Commerce (D-C) District that would allow changeable copy electronic signs in the D-C district. Under the proposed amendment, television, scrolling light and LED matrix displays are examples of the types of signs that would be allowed. These signs would be allowed only in the interior of first floor storefront windows.
At their April 4, 2012 regular meeting, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the DAC recommendation. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission decided not to recommend the specific code amendment language. The Planning Commission felt more work needed to be done to ensure the proposed signs would be compatible with the Downtown district.
The DAC, at their May 14 meeting, concurred with the Planning Commission. However, the DAC requests that the City Council direct City staff to make it a priority to develop draft code amendments that would address the issue. The proposed amendments would then be reviewed by the DAC and then the Planning Commission with a recommendation coming from both bodies.
The attached staff report contains the draft code amendments originally considered by the DAC and the Planning Commission. The "staff discussion" portion of the staff report gives some of the pros and cons of electronic changeable copy signs.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Motion to direct the City Manager to make it priority for City staff to work with the Downtown Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission to develop a recommendation on code amendments that would allow electronic changeable copy signs in the Downtown Commerce District.