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To: Chair Kirchner and Planning Commission Members <br />Adam Edwards, City Administrator <br />From: Jeremy Barnhart, AICP, Community Development <br />Director <br />Date: May 17, 2021 <br />Subject: #LA21-000028, City of Orono Text Amendment related to signs <br />Public Hearing <br />Background <br />The city completed a comprehensive review of the sign ordinance in 2018, in an attempt to be <br />content neutral. Occasionally, however, signs are defined by what they say (i.e. real estate for <br />sale signs). <br />In the application of the ordinance since then, staff has identified certain regulations that are <br />unclear to the lay person, or overly restrictive, and this ordinance is intended to address those <br />concerns. <br />The proposed changes are provided in Exhibit A. Proposed deletions are struck-through, and <br />new text is underlined. Overall, changes are shown in red. <br />Analysis: <br />More prominent changes include: <br />Revised definition of Incidental signs to include examples, for clarity. (line 97) <br />Revised definition of Monument signs to remove the height restriction in the definition. <br />(lines 104-105) <br />Revised definition of Portable signs to better reflect the types of signs observed. (lines <br />117-126) <br />Revised definition to Public sign, changing it Regulatory or Directional Sign. Intended to <br />address traffic control signs placed on private roads, and signs placed by the city, <br />county, or park district. (lines 129-131) <br />Removed prohibition for signs attached to utility poles, trees, street signs, etc. as these <br />features are typically (with the exception of trees), in the right of way, duplicating #6. <br />(line 236) <br />Removed the word ‘permanent’ from prohibited outdoor advertising signs. This <br />regulation is intended to only allow for the advertisement of items or service offered on <br />the property. (line 237) <br />Added examples of non-residential uses in residential districts, for clarity (line 247) <br />Application Summary: The City is proposing amendments to the city code, in particular the <br />sign code, to clarify regulations, or to provide for signage more consistent with community <br />expectations. <br />Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval as drafted. <br />Council Exhibit B <br />LA21-28