05-17-2021 Planning Commission Packet

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1 • ii, IVo To: Chair Kirchner and Planning Commission Members Adam Edwards, City Administrator A ,>.,ti A. G.. From: Jeremy Barnhart,AICP, Community Development 4kESHORI` Director Date: May 17, 2021 Subject: #LA21-000028, City of Orono Text Amendment related to signs Public Hearing Application Summary: The City is proposing amendments to the city code, in particular the sign code, to clarify regulations, or to provide for signage more consistent with community expectations. Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval as drafted. Background The city completed a comprehensive review of the sign ordinance in 2018, in an attempt to be content neutral. Occasionally, however,signs are defined by what they say(i.e. real estate for sale signs). III In the application of the ordinance since then, staff has identified certain regulations that are unclear to the lay person, or overly restrictive,and this ordinance is intended to address those concerns. The proposed changes are provided in Exhibit A. Proposed deletions are struck-through, and new text is underlined. Overall, changes are shown in red. Analysis: More prominent changes include: • Revised definition of Incidental signs to include examples,for clarity. (line 97) • Revised definition of Monument signs to remove the height restriction in the definition. (lines 104-105) • Revised definition of Portable signs to better reflect the types of signs observed. (lines 117-126) • Revised definition to Public sign, changing it Regulatory or Directional Sign. Intended to address traffic control signs placed on private roads, and signs placed by the city, county,or park district. (lines 129-131) • Removed prohibition for signs attached to utility poles,trees, street signs, etc. as these features are typically(with the exception of trees), in the right of way, duplicating#6. (line 236) • Removed the word 'permanent'from prohibited outdoor advertising signs. This regulation is intended to only allow for the advertisement of items or service offered on • the property. (line 237) • Added examples of non-residential uses in residential districts,for clarity(line 247)