Item 4D and 4EEstablishment of the Sign Board /Proposed Changes to the Sign Ordinance
Items 4D & 4E
Presentation Outline
Overview of the Current Master Sign Plan/Variance Review Process
Planning Department receives an application for a variance to the Sign Ordinance, or a Master Sign Plan
A Planner is assigned to that case
Comments and recommendations are provided to applicant
Report prepared
Case is considered by City Council
Approval contingent upon City Council vote
Challenges with Master Sign Plan/Variance Review Process
Sign requests are considered last on the Council agenda (late in the evening)
Complex and a significant amount of information
Comparison data (current ordinance/other related variances)
Context of the built environment/relationship
Sign Board
Advantages
More detail analysis conducted prior to City Council review
Specific recommendations
Improved packet and presentation materials
Issued addressed prior to City Council
Reduction in City Council review times
Disadvantages
Longer approval process
Administrative Cost
Responsibilities of the Sign Board
Hear and make recommendations to the City Council on requests for sign variance and master sign plan applications.
Review and make recommendations to sign ordinance amendments
Special Projects – i.e. Creation of a design manual
Item 4D - Ordinance 1110 - Creation of the Sign Board
Adopt an ordinance establishing the Sign Board
- Membership (PZ Commission)
- Meeting and By-laws
- Duties and responsibilities
- Meeting Times/Special Meetings
Item 4E - Ordinance Changes
Changes since 704-F (March 2012)
Signage Technology Changes
New Issues
Definition Clarification
P. 3 & 5-9 – Definitions – Added/Modified
P. 9 – Definitions – Added/Modified
Window Sign
Window Display
P. 11 - Sign Regulations- Signs exempt from permits
5.3.13. Holiday season decorations, school, religious organization and college periodic event signs.
P. 11 – Outdoor Patio Lights
5.3.15 Outdoor exposed string lights (patio lights) are permitted in commercial outdoor dining/patio areas per the requirements of Section 7.2, Table 5, Item 6.
P. 11 - Sign Regulations- Signs exempt from permits
5.3.16 One corporate flag per premises in office developments as defined in Section 5.4. (Address size, number, height, etc.)
P. 13 – Residential Real Estate Signs
P. 13 – Estate Sale Signs
P. 13 – Clarification for Vehicular Signs
P. 15 – Standards for Window Signs Window Displays / Signs Clarified
Examples of a window display that will count towards the 10% allowed for total window signage
P. 19 – Special Attached Sign Standards for Barber Poles
P. 19 & 20 – Special Attached Sign Standards for Exposed Outdoor String Lights
P. 20 – Monument Signs for Businesses
6. Illuminated, internal, backlit or externally lit address numbers are required on business monument signs and shall be located within the top 20% of the sign structure. and Address
numbers must be a minimum of 8 inches in height along freeways and regional boulevards and a minimum of 6 inches in height on all other streets. If the area of the address number is
5 square feet or less, the area will not count toward the maximum sign face area.
P. 20 – Monument Signs for Businesses
10. A monument tenant sign panel will be limited to one tenant name on a monument sign panel.
P. 21 – Special Monument Sign Standards Menu Board Signs
Prohibited
Allowed
P. 22 – Special Monument Sign Standards Gasoline Pricing Signs
Prohibited
Prohibited
P. 23 – Special Monument Sign Standards Directional Signs
Prohibited
Allowed
Allowed
Allowed
P. 26 & 27 – Design Guidelines –
Master Sign Plans
Intent of a Master Sign Plan
Design Goals
Master Sign Plan Application
Design Guidelines (p.26)
Commercial Signage is an integral part of the urban design fabric of Southlake.
Impacts the overall design character of the City
Integral part of the visual urban streetscape.
Basis for submitting a master sign plan should not be for larger signs or logos but should promote the design goals listed in this section.
Design Goals (p.26)
To develop an organized hierarchy of signage design types that help identify the location and size standards for individual signs without infringing on the capability of creative design.
2) To establish design criteria that promote the overall visual quality of the streetscape environment for the general public while providing reasonable and improved standards for identification
of individual properties.
3) To improve the overall visual cohesive appearance of the site through signage guidelines, with strong consideration that the visual streetscape.
4) To promote a “sense of place” for the City of Southlake while promoting creative design for individual developments.
5) To promote signage as an architectural complement rather than being visually and thematically disconnected.
Master Sign Plan Application (p. 26)
The master signage program application shall include, at a minimum, the following to be deemed a completed application:
A master site plan showing a location of each of the proposed signage type(s). Dimension and label the sign types and include distance measurement of the signs location from the nearest
public right-of way.
2) Provide signage elevations (dimensioned and labeled) indicating proposed text areas, materials, material finishes, colors, lighting and identifiable references as to how the signage
design relates to the proposed architecture. Identify any landscaping elements proposed.
3) For all signage is to be mounted on building façades, provide accurate building elevations that show signage dimension, signage location, text areas, materials, material finishes,
colors and identifiable references as to how the signage design relates to the proposed architecture.
4) If the applicant is requesting any variances from the current regulations as part of the master sign plan, please indicate the location of the variance, what the variance request
is for and specific reason/justification for the variance and how the variance promotes are adheres to the design goals provided.
P. 34 – Application Process Sign Board
Application Process. Any request for a variance shall be made to the Administrative Official and be accompanied by a completed application and a non-refundable filing fee in the amount
specified in the current fee schedule adopted by City Council. The sign variance will be considered by the City Council following a recommendation by the Sign Board. The Sign Board’s
recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration.
Questions?
Ken Baker - 817-748-8067