2010-031OFFICIAL RECORD
RESOLUTION NO. 10-031
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, DECLARING A MORATORIUM ON THE
ACCEPTANCE OR PROCESSING OF ANY SIGN
APPLICATIONS FOR READERBOARD (ELECTRONIC OR
MANUAL) SIGNS AS DEFINED IN SIGN ORDINANCE NO. 704-D,
EXCLUDING GOVERNMENT SIGNS; DIRECTING THE CITY
STAFF TO INITIATE THE PREPARATION OF A CITY CODE
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO REGULATE READERBOARD
SIGNS; PROVIDING FOR A METHOD OF REPEAL OF THIS
MORATORIUM; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION
SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UPON PASSAGE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Southlake has adopted Ordinance No. 704-D
as the city's Sign Ordinance, regulating and restricting the location, setback, height, size,
lighting and other use of signs in the City of Southlake; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is concerned about the placement or use of readerboard
signs within the city which might adversely affect surrounding properties or the proper and
orderly growth of the city; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the current regulations may not be
adequate to address detrimental impacts of readerboard signs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that all government readerboard signs are
not subject to the moratorium because these type of signs help ensure the public health, safety
and welfare of the community;
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the staff of the City of Southlake should
undertake those studies or analyses necessary to prepare the appropriate recommendations
regarding readerboard signs for council action; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to maintain the status quo within the City until such
time as the City Council has had a reasonable opportunity to review the recommended
amendments and to take appropriate action as may be required to protect the public health,
safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, a 90 day moratorium placed on the issuance or renewal of permits for
readerboard signs is a minimally intrusive method of maintaining the status quo until such
review can be completed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
A moratorium is hereby imposed, effective immediately, on the receipt, processing, and
approval of applications for readerboard signs, excluding government signs, within the corporate
limits of the City of Southlake. The moratorium shall be in place for ninety (90) days following
the adoption of this resolution and shall expire upon passage of an amendment to the City's
sign ordinance concerning readerboards or other express action of the City Council lifting the
moratorium. If no amendment or action is taken, the moratorium shall expire at 5:01 p.m. on
October 4, 2010. The moratorium may be extended by the City Council for good cause shown.
SECTION 2.
The purpose of this moratorium is to maintain the status quo within the city until such
time as the city has reviewed and, if necessary, amended its regulations regarding readerboard
signs.
SECTION 3.
The city staff is hereby directed to initiate and complete those studies or analyses
necessary to determine what, if any, changes to the regulations for readerboard signs are
reasonable and necessary.
SECTION 4.
Any property owner that believes that the imposition of this moratorium causes a unique
and unreasonable hardship upon his or her property or business shall have the right to request
a variance to the provisions of this moratorium. A property owner seeking a variance shall
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submit a written request to the city council through the city secretary's office. The request must
provide the following information:
a. A description of the property to be covered by the variance.
b. An explanation as to why the application of the moratorium is unreasonable as
applied to the applicant's property.
C. A description of any negative impacts created by the moratorium provision.
The city secretary's office shall place the request for a variance on the agenda of the
City Council for consideration at a public meeting. The applicant shall receive written notice of
the date of the proposed hearing on the variance request. The city staff shall not be required to
provide written notice of the variance request to any other individual or entity. On the date that
the item is set for hearing, the City Council shall conduct a public hearing on the variance
request giving any individual who desires to present information or evidence to the City Council
on the appropriateness or inappropriateness of the variance the opportunity to appear before
the city council and present such information. At the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council,
by majority vote, may approve a variance to the provisions of this moratorium resolution or may
deny the request for variance. The approval of a variance shall entitle the applicant to submit
an application for a readerboard sign.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 6T" DAY OF JULY, 2010.
ATTEST:
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Lori Payne, TRN&
City Secretary
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE
By:
Mayor