Laserfiche WebLink
<br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />TO: ORONO CITY COUNCIL <br />FROM: JEREMY BARNHART, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR <br />SUBJECT: PUBLIC NOTIFICATION SIGNS <br />DATE: SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 <br />There has been discussion in recent weeks regarding the public notice signs displayed <br />on a subject property prior to a public hearing for a development proposal. Currently, <br />each applicant posts a city furnished small (18” x 2’) green and white sign on the <br />property noting a pending application. In addition, in some cases the city posts a <br />larger (2’ x 4’) sign. <br /> <br />All signage is posted in addition to the required posting in the newspaper, on the city <br />website, and the mailed notice to property owners within 350 feet. (Variance <br />applications require notification of property owners within 150 feet). The signs are <br />intended as an “in the field’ notice on a particular project, a tangible reminder of <br />pending action. <br /> <br />The primary challenges with signs are visibility and location. On a large project, <br />where do you place the sign? The Dayton property, for example, generated interest <br />over 1000 feet away, on the opposite side of the lake. Posting a sign for an extended <br />period of time lends itself to visibility fatigue, defeating the purpose. <br /> <br />Lastly, what projects trigger the need for larger sign? The city currently owns 5 of the <br />signs, which are placed by public works staff. <br /> <br />To address these goals and concerns, staff would suggest that the city post a sign for <br />any subdivision larger than 4 units or 10 acres. The sign would be posted until the <br />City Council has acted on the application, then would be removed. The sign would be <br />posted in the most prominent location as determined by staff. Signs would continue <br />to be placed and maintained by public works staff. <br />