Item 6DM E M O R A N D U M
February 29, 2012
To:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
From:
Ken Baker, AICP – Director of Planning & Development Services
Subject:
Ordinance No. 704-F, Amendment to Sign Ordinance No. 704-E
Action
nd
Requested:
Conduct a public hearing and consider the 2 reading for Ordinance No.
704-F, City of Southlake Sign Ordinance.
Background
Information:
During the development of the current Sign Ordinance, Ordinance No.
704-E, staff was directed to research and review regulations for both
readerboard signs and sign logos. Due to time constraints associated
with a moratorium on readerboard signs, research was primarily focused
on readerboard signs with the understanding that logo regulations would
be revisited at a later date. Following the passage of Ordinance 704-E, a
City Council subcommittee was formed to review other sign issues as
well. In addition to logo regulations, these issues included regulations
related to boxed cabinet signs, awning signs, grocery cart corral signs,
café umbrella signs, development/construction signs, illuminated
open/closed signs, and addresses on monument signs. The proposed
amendments are outlined below:
Prohibited Signs:
Five types of signs are being added to the list of prohibited signs:
• Boxed cabinet signs attached to buildings.
• Awning signs.
• Commercial signage on grocery cart corrals (“Return cart here”
signs under 6 square feet are permitted).
• Signs illuminated with anything other than white light or a similar
type light unless approved by the Administrative Official.
• Any lighting projected onto a building, excluding customary
exterior building and site illumination (as determined by the
Administrative Official) and permitted sign illumination.
Boxed Cabinet Signs:
• Added a definition: An attached sign that is mounted on the face
of a building that is roughly rectangular in shape and provided for
internal illumination and provides for changing the message of the
sign by replacing a single transparent or translucent material such
as a Plexiglas/lexan face.
• No longer an allowed sign type.
Café Umbrella Signs:
• Added a definition: A sign painted on or otherwise affixed to an
umbrella at an establishment with outdoor seating.
• Added regulations:
– Letter/logo height is limited to 8 inches.
– Signage may only be displayed on the flap of the umbrella.
– No permit required.
Development/Construction Signs:
• Revised the definition (underlining indicates the new text): A
temporary on-site ground sign that pertains to a new
nonresidential development or a new residential development of 4
or more lots that is approved or under construction.
Illuminated Open/Closed Signs:
• Added regulations:
– 1 per street frontage.
– Maximum are of 4 sq. ft.
– Sign(s) shall only read “OPEN”.
– Sign(s) shall only be located in the window of the business.
– Sign(s) shall be placed no higher than 7 feet above the
finished floor.
– Sign(s) shall not blink, flash, oscillate or intermittently turn
on and off.
Attached Signs:
• Revised the regulations:
– Signs may be illuminated with internal lighting and
backlighting (halo) illumination is encouraged.
– Removed the allowance for logos to be 125% of the
maximum permitted letter height (maximum logo height will
be the same as maximum letter height)
Monument Signs:
• Revised the regulations:
– Address numbers are required on business monument
signs and shall be located within the top 20% of the sign
structure.
– Logos shall not exceed 25% of the sign panel.
Financial
Considerations:
None
Strategic Link:
Quality Development
Citizen Input/
Board Review:
A SPIN meeting was held for citizen input on February 13, 2012. The
report from this meeting is attached. In addition, a public hearing is
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scheduled for 2 reading on March 6, 2012.
Legal Review:
This ordinance has been reviewed by the City Attorney.
Alternatives:
City Council may approve, deny, or modify this proposed ordinance
amendment as deemed necessary.
Supporting
Documents:
SPIN Meeting Report dated February 13, 2012
Ordinance No. 704-F, City of Southlake Sign Ordinance
SPIN MEETING REPORT
PROJECT NAME:
Sign Ordinance Amendments
SPIN DISTRICTS:
Citywide
MEETING DATE:
February 13, 2012
MEETING LOCATION:
1400 MAIN STREET, SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
MEETING ROOMS 3A & 3B
TOTAL ATTENDANCE:
Twelve (12)
SPIN REPRESENTATIVE(S) PRESENT:
None
STAFF PRESENTING & PRESENT:
Dennis Killough, Deputy Director of Planning &
Development Services,Jenny Crosby, Planner II, Lorrie Fletcher, Planner I, Police Chief
Steve Mylett
STAFF CONTACT:
Jenny Crosby, (817)748-8195; jcrosby@ci.southlake.tx.us
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff periodically reviews the sign ordinance for issues that need to be addressed to maintain a
strong sign ordinance. A strong ordinance maintains and enhances the aesthetics of our
community, enhances automobile and pedestrian safety, encourages the integration of signage
with landscaping and building design, protects and enhances the economic viability of the City’s
commercial corridors, and requires safe and effective signage. It also prevents clutter that
distracts from building and urban design.
Proposed Amendments
Prohibited Signs:
Three types of signs are being added to the list of prohibited signs:
• Boxed cabinet signs attached to buildings.
• Awning signs.
• Commercial signage on grocery cart corrals (“Return cart here” signs under 6 square
feet are permitted).
Boxed Cabinet Signs:
• Added a definition: An attached sign that is mounted on the face of a building that is
roughly rectangular in shape and provided for internal illumination and provides for
changing the message of the sign by replacing a single transparent or translucent
material such as a Plexiglas/lexan face.
• No longer an allowed sign type.
Café Umbrella Signs:
• Added a definition: A sign painted on or otherwise affixed to an umbrella at an
establishment with outdoor seating.
• Added regulations:
– Letter/logo height is limited to 8 inches.
– Signage may only be displayed on the flap of the umbrella.
– No permit required.
Development/Construction Signs:
• Revised the definition (underlining indicates the new text): A temporary on-site ground
sign that pertains to a new nonresidential development or a new residential development
of 4 or more lots that is approved or under construction.
Illuminated Open/Closed Signs:
• Added regulations:
– 1 per street frontage.
– Maximum are of 4 sq. ft.
– Sign(s) shall only read “OPEN”.
– Sign(s) shall only be located in the window of the business.
– Sign(s) shall be placed no higher than 7 feet above the finished floor.
– Sign(s) shall not blink, flash, oscillate or intermittently turn on and off.
Attached Signs:
• Revised the regulations:
– Signs may be illuminated with internal lighting and backlighting (halo)
illumination is encouraged.
– Removed the allowance for logos to be 125% of the maximum permitted
letter height (maximum logo height will be the same as maximum letter
height)
Monument Signs:
• Revised the regulations:
– Address numbers are required on business monument signs and shall be
located within the top 20% of the sign structure.
– Logos shall not exceed 25% of the sign panel.
QUESTIONS / CONCERNS
On monument signs, what if the logo is text?
In most instances, a letter is a letter. Logos are reviewed on a case by case basis.
What about umbrellas that already have text on them?
The existing ordinance is silent for café umbrella signs. Existing signs would need to
come into compliance unless a provision is added to grandfather those signs.
What is the rationale for phasing out boxed cabinet signs?
Primarily aesthetics.
SPIN Meeting Reports are general observations of SPIN Meetings by City staff and SPIN Representatives. The
report is neither verbatim nor official meeting minutes; rather it serves to inform elected and appointed officials,
City staff, and the public of the issues and questions raised by residents and the general responses made.
Responses as summarized in this report should not be taken as guarantees by the applicant. Interested
parties are strongly encouraged to follow the case through the Planning and Zoning Commission and final
action by City Council.