Item 6PCITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
MEMORANDUM
January 13, 2015
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Ken Baker, Senior Director of Planning and Development Services
Subject: Item 6P —Ordinance No. 1110
Action Requested: Consider 2nd reading for the establishment of a Sign Board.
Background
Information: At the December 4, 2014, joint City Council and Planning and
Zoning Commission meeting, the City Council and the Planning
and Zoning Commission reviewed possible options for the
creation of a Sign Board and determined that the Planning and
Zoning (PZ) Commission will assume that role. The primary
function of the sign board will be to hear and make
recommendations to the City Council on applications for sign
variances and Master Sign Plan approvals and to review and
make recommendations to sign ordinance amendments.
On January 6, 2015, the City Council approved the 1s' reading on
consent (7-0).
Financial
Considerations: None
Strategic Link: Quality Development — C-5 Promote opportunities for partnerships
& volunteer involvement. B-2 Collaborate with select partners to
implement service solutions.
Citizen Input /
Board Review: None
Legal Review: The draft ordinance has been reviewed by the City Attorney; there
are no recommended changes.
Supporting
Document: Attached —Ordinance No. 1110
Staff
Recommendation: Approve as presented or provide feedback for modification(s)
ORDINANCE NO. 1110
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SIGN BOARD FOR THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE; ESTABLISHING THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION AS THE SIGN BOARD; PROVIDING FOR DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SIGN BOARD; PROVIDING THAT THIS
ORDINANCE SHALL BE CUMULATIVE OF ALL ORDINANCES;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Southlake deems it advisable and
necessary to establish a Sign Board (SB) to act as an advisory board to the City Council
in matters regarding the Sign Ordinance 704, as amended, sign variance requests,
master sign plan requests, and related issues; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the orderly and uniform regulation of signs
is a substantial factor in guiding the attractive and aesthetic development of properties
in accordance with the comprehensive plan and thereby avoiding detrimental impacts of
signs on the appearance of the City; and
WHEREAS, commercial signage is deemed an integral part of the urban design
fabric of Southlake and is absolutely necessary and shall be regarded as a tool that
helps promote the health, safety and welfare of the general public by providing guidance
to both the vehicular driver and pedestrian. Due to its visual prominence and effect on
the overall design character of our city, signage is an integral part of the visual urban
streetscape and shall not be designed to visually compete with its surroundings, but
rather serve to build on the quality of the traveler's and pedestrian's experience.
WHEREAS, the City of Southlake Sign Ordinance 704, as amended, permits
applicants to apply for sign variances and master sign plans to for consideration by the
City Council;
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a Sign Board to review and
consider sign variances and master sign plans under Sign Ordinance 704, as amended,
and forward their recommendations to the City Council for their consideration;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
Creation of a Sign Board: There is hereby established a Sign Board (SB) for the
city hereinafter referred to as the "SIGN BOARD".
SECTION 2.
Members and Terms: The Sign Board shall consist of the seven (7) citizen
members of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Southlake. Terms of
Office for the Sign Board members shall coincide with appointment terms for the
Planning and Zoning Commission members, appointed by a majority vote of the City
Council for three (3) year terms. The members of the Planning and Zoning Commission
shall be resident citizens of the corporate limits of the City of Southlake, Texas, and
qualified voters of the City of Southlake, Texas. The members are appointed by the
City Council for a term of office for three (3) years. All vacancies occurring on the
Planning and Zoning Commission shall be filled by appointment by the City Council.
The offices of the Chairman and Vice- Chairman will be for a period of one (1) year and
selected by the City Council.
SECTION 3.
Meetings and By -Laws: The Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman and
Vice Chairman shall retain the same positions on the Sign Board and serve one (1) year
terms and thereafter until their successors are elected. The by-laws attached to this
ordinance as Exhibit A, which are hereby approved, shall govern the meetings of the
Sign Board. The Sign Boards bylaws shall be consistent with state law, the City Charter
and City Code, and Board and Commission Manual, and shall, at a minimum,
encompass the following matters:
(1) Meeting shall be held immediately following the regular Planning and Zoning
Commission meetings held the first and third Thursdays of each month unless
otherwise determined.
(2) Manner of holding and calling of special meetings shall be specified.
(3) Majority of members shall constitute a quorum.
(4) Minutes of the meetings shall be filed with the City Secretary.
SECTION 4.
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities of the Sign Board
shall be to:
(1) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters pertaining to requests
for sign variances and master sign plans.
(2) Serve in accordance with provisions of the Board and Commission Manual.
(3) Review of sign variance and master sign plan requests for their applicability to
the current Sign Ordinance 704, as amended.
(4) Perform such other tasks as are delegated to it by City Council.
SECTION 5.
Staff Liaison: A staff Liaison shall be designated by the City Manager to work
with the Sign Board in accordance with Board and Commission Manual.
SECTION 6.
Upon adoption of this ordinance by the City Council, the Planning and Zoning
Commission shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the Sign Board regarding
review and consideration of sign variance and master sign plan applications.
SECTION 7.
Unless the City Council affirmatively votes to continue the existence of the Sign Board,
the Sign Board shall be automatically dissolved and abolished eighteen months after
the date of enactment of this ordinance without further action by the City Council. No
later than fifteen months from the date of enactment of this ordinance, the staff liaison
shall present to the City Council a report of the Sign Board activities in order to assist
the City Council in evaluating whether the Sign Board's existence show be continued.
SECTION 8.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the phrases,
clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this ordinance are severable, and if any
phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared
unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction,
such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses,
sentences, paragraphs and sections of this ordinance, since the same would have been
enacted by the City Council without the incorporation in this ordinance of any such
unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section.
SECTION 9.
All rights and remedies of the City of Southlake are expressly saved as to any
and all violations of the provisions of Ordinance No. 1073 or any other ordinances
affecting community engagement which have accrued at the time of the effective date of
this ordinance; and as to such accrued violations and all pending litigation, both civil and
criminal, whether pending in court or not, under such ordinances, same shall not be
affected by this ordinance but may be prosecuted until final disposition by the courts.
SECTION 10.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law, and it is so ordained.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THE FIRST READING ON THIS 6t" DAY OF
JANUARY, 2015.
JOHN TERRELL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LORI PAYNE, CITY SECRETARY
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THESECOND READING ON THIS DAY
OF , 2015.
JOHN TERRELL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LORI PAYNE, CITY SECRETARY
EFFECTIVE:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
CITY ATTORNEY
BYLAWS OF THE
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE SIGN BOARD
ARTICLE 1
PURPOSE AND POWERS
Section 1.1 Purpose
The city of Southlake City Council established the Sign Board (SB) to act as an advisory
board to the City Council in matters regarding sign variances and master sign plans.
Section 1.2 Powers
In fulfillment of its purpose, the Sign Board (SB) shall be governed by and shall have all
powers set forth in the Southlake City Code and other applicable law. The Sign Board
shall act in accordance with the provisions of the City's Board and Commissions
Manual.
ARTICLE II
SIGN BOARD MEMBERS
Section 2.1 Composition and Terms of Office
(a) The Sign Board shall consist of seven (7) citizens of the current City of
Southlake Planning and Zoning Commission and appointed by the City
Council in adherence to the eligibility guidelines in the Board and Commission
Manual.
(b) Annually, within thirty (30) days after appointment of new members, staff will
provide and all members shall complete the orientation requirements outlined
in the Board and Commission Manual.
Section 2.2 Meeting of the Sign Board
The Sign Board, if items are scheduled for consideration, shall meet immediately
following the regularly scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. The
meetings are scheduled on the first and third Thursdays of the month, unless special
meetings are held. Additionally, the Sign Board may schedule or be scheduled for joint
meetings with City Council. Members not planning to attend a regular meeting, joint
meeting or special meeting shall notify the staff liaison or chair of the Sign Board by
12.00 o'clock noon on the meeting day. Any member with unexcused absences from
two (2) consecutive meetings or not exhibiting interest in the work of the Sign Board
shall be reported to the City Council, as outlined in the Board and Commission Manual.
The City Council may, at its discretion, remove any Sign Board member and appoint a
replacement, for any reason. All meetings and deliberations of the Sign Board shall be
called, convened, held and conducted, and notice shall be given to the public in
accordance with Chapter 551 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Section 2.3 Special Meetings
The Sign Board may hold special meetings, as needed, to accomplish it stated purpose.
The Chair shall fix a place and time for such special meetings. Notice shall be given to
the public in accordance with Chapter 551 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Section 2.4 Quorum
A simple majority of the entire Sign Board shall constitute a quorum to conduct official
business of the board.
Section 2.5 Conduct of Business
(a) At the meeting of the Sign Board, matters pertaining to the business of the
Sign Board, as posted on the agenda, shall be considered in accordance with
the rules of procedure as from time to time as prescribed by the board.
(b) At all meetings of the Sign Board, the Chair shall preside. In the absence of
the Chair, the Vice Chair shall preside. In absence of both the Chair and Vice
Chair, the most Senior Member shall preside.
(c) The Chair shall be a voting member of the Sign Board.
(d) Minutes of each Sign Board meeting shall be filed with the City Secretary and
made available to the City Council upon request.
2.6 Compensation of Sign Board Members
Sign Board members shall not receive any salary or compensation for their services.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
Section 3.1 Officers and Terms of Office
(a) The officers of the Sign Board shall be a Chair and Vice Chair and shall be
the current Planning and Zoning Commission Chair and Vice Chair. All
officers shall be subject to removal from office at any time by a vote of a
majority of City Council.
Section 3.2 Powers of the Chair
The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Sign Board in accordance with the Board
and Commission Manual and perform all duties incident to the office of Chair and such
other duties as may be prescribed by the Sign Board and City Council.
Section 3.3 Vice Chair
In the absence of the Chair or in the event of the inability or refusal to act, the Vice
Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair, and when so acting shall have all the powers
of and be subject to all restrictions upon the Chair. The Vice Chair shall perform other
duties as from time to time may be prescribed.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Section 4.1 Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Sign Board shall be to:
(1) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters pertaining to requests
for signs variance and master sign plans.
(2) Serve in accordance with provisions of the Board and Commission Manual.
(3) Review of sign variance and master sign plan requests for their applicability to
the current Sign Ordinance 704, as amended.
(4) Perform such other tasks as are delegated to it by City Council.
ARTICLE V
STAFF LIAISON
Section 5.1 Staff Liaison
A staff liaison shall be designated by the City Manager to work with the Sign Board in
accordance with the Board and Commission Manual.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section 6.1 Amendments to Bylaws
The Sign Board may amend these bylaws, and may adopt new bylaws at the Sign
Board discretion, with approval of the City Council.