HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2018-017 Sponsored by: Staff
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 2018-017
A RESOLUTION OF THE SEWARD PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION, RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL AMEND VARIOUS
PORTIONS OF TITLE 15.20 SIGNS OF THE SEWARD CITY CODE
WHEREAS, at their June 5, 2018 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission
approved their 2018 priority list, which included making updates to Title 15.20 Signs; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission discussed sign code amendments at
their July 17 and October 16,2018 meetings; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to maintain a city code that reflects community
needs by conducting periodic review; and
WHEREAS,the Seward City Sign Code was last updated in 2010; and
WHEREAS, the public notification process specified by Seward City Code §15.01.040
has been met.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning
Commission that:
Section 1. The Commission recommends Council approve the attached Ordinance 2019-
amending various portions of Title 15.20 Signs; and.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission this 4th
day of December 2018.
T CITY OF SEW• '•
4.e. •
Cindy und, Chair
AYES: Charbonneau, Swann, Fleming,Ambrosiani, Seese, Hatfield,Ecklund
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
VACANT: None
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Sponsored by: Planning and Zoning Commission
Introduction Date: January 14,2019
Public Hearing Date: January 28,2019
Enactment Date: January 28,2019
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2019-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AMENDING VARIOUS PORTIONS OF TITLE 15.20 SIGNS
OF THE SEWARD CITY CODE
WHEREAS,the Seward City Sign Code has been periodically updated since its adoption
in 1986;and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission held public discussion on sign code
updates at their July 17 and October 16,2018 regular meetings; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to maintain a city code that reflects community
needs; and
WHEREAS, at its December 4, 2018 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission
held a public hearing and recommended City Council approval of the proposed Sign Code
amendments.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA,HEREBY ORDAINS that:
Section 1. Seward City Code Section 15.20 Planning and Land Use Regulations, Seward
Sign Code is hereby amended to read as follows ( ethreughs = deletions and are bold,
Underline =additions and are bold italics):
Chapter 15.20. - Signs
15.20.015. -Definitions.
For purposes of this section,the following definitions pertaining to signs shall apply:
Banner. A temporary sign made of fabric or similar nonrigid material with no enclosing
framework. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or non-
commercial organization business shall not be considered banners.
* * * * *
Political sign. A temporary Any--poster-or sign used for the purpose of advertising,
promoting or endorsing a political candidate, party initiative, issue, referendum or ballot
proposition.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2018-
Page 2 of 6
** ** *
Real estate sign. A temporary sign which is used to offer for sale, lease, or rent the property
upon which the sign is placed ' " . (Note: cross reference deleted since
none of the other temporary signs (political, construction) in this chapter contained the cross
reference)
15.20.020. -Administration and enforcement.
A. Except as provided herein, it shall be unlawful to display, erect, relocate or alter any sign
without the property owner first filing with the Administrative Official, as defined under
section 15.01.015, a written application and obtaining a sign permit.
B. When a sign permit is issued by the administrative official, it shall be unlawful to change,
modify, alter or otherwise deviate from the terms and conditions of said permit without prior
approval of the Administrative Official. A written record of such approval shall be entered
upon the original permit application and maintained in the files of the Administrative
Official.
C. A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has
not been completed within six months of its issuance. Before such work can be
recommenced, a new permit to do so shall first be obtained, and the fee shall be one-half the
amount required for a new permit.
D. Fees shall be set by resolution of the City Council.
E. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy for each new facility using a sign for identification or
advertising shall be contingent upon approval of a sign permit.
F. Exceptions:
1. Painting, repainting or cleaning of a sign or the changing of copy or message thereon
shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires a sign permit, unless
structural change is made.
2. Other specific exceptions are listed under signs allowed without permits.
15.20.021 —Measurement Standards
The following regulations shall control the computation and measurement of sign area
and sign height
A. The sign area shall include the face of all the display area(s), the sign frame, the
structural support, and any attendant construction of the sign, except as follows:
1. Structural support that is located below the sign face area and its accompanying
frame, does not contain a message other than the street number in conformance
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2018-
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with 12.01.020, and is clearly distinguishable from the sign face area, shall not be
considered sign area
B. For a sign that is framed, outlined, painted, or otherwise prepared and intended to
provide a background for a sign display, the area of the sign shall be the area of not more
than three geometric shapes that encompass the entire area of the sign including the
background or frame.
C. For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures, or elements on a wall or similar
surface of a building or structure, or an irregular shaped freestanding sign, the area of the
sign shall be the area of not more than three regular geometric shapes that encompass the
perimeter of all the elements in the display.
D. For freestanding and projecting signs the sign area shall be computed by the
measurement of one of the faces when two display faces are joined, are parallel, or are
within 30 degrees of being parallel to each other and are part of the same sign structure.
For any sign that has two display surfaces that do not comply with the above regulation, or
has more than two display surfaces, then each surface shall be included when determining
the area of the sign.
'
E. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the elevation of the edge of the
public right-of-way immediately adjacent to, or nearest the sign structure, to the highest
point of the sign, its frame, or decorative features.
15.20.025. - Requirements applicable to all signs.
The following provisions shall apply in all zoning districts to all signs governed by this
ordinance, subject to the specific regulations in each zoning district:
A. Whenever two provisions of this code overlap or conflict with regard to the size or
placement of a sign,the more restrictive provision shall apply.
B. In matters of unspecified uses or clarification, the administrative official shall make
determinations.
C. Except when approved by the City Council for civic purposes, signs are considered an
accessory use on a lot. Only signs identified under section 15.20.030 are allowed on
vacant lots.
D. Signs containing non-commercial speech are permitted anywhere business signs are
permitted and are subject to the same regulations applicable to such signs.
E. 14, All signs, including signs heretofore installed, and the area around the base of each
freestanding sign, shall be constantly maintained in a state of security, safety and repair.
If any sign is found not to be so maintained or is insecurely fastened or otherwise
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2018-_
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dangerous, it shall be the duty of the owner and/or occupant of the premises on which
the sign is fastened to repair or remove the sign within five days after receiving notice
from the administrative official.
F. €r Illumination from or upon any sign shall be shaded, shielded, directed or reduced so as
to avoid glare or reflection of light on private or public property in the surrounding area
and so as to avoid distracting pedestrians and motorists.
G. F In those cases where a business or institution has frontage on more than one street,
signs are allowed on each street frontage, provided they are in conformance with
applicable district regulations, and that frontage limits are not combined.
H. G The symbol, slogan or national trademark of a national brand beverage or other
product that is sold on the premises shall not comprise more than 25 percent of the total
area of the sign. National brand logo signs designed to hang in a window and not
exceeding four square feet, and signs advertising products that form the bulk of the
business transaction,are exempted from this provision.
J. I-I,No sign shall be located so as to physically obstruct any door, window or exit from a
building or be hazardous to a motorist's ingress and egress from any public or private
parking area.
K. I,Signs used seasonally are to be included in the total square footage of sign area allowed
for that district.
L. 3 In no case shall any portion of a sign attached to a building exceed the maximum
allowable building height limit, or more than four feet above the roof line, facade or
parapet height, whichever is less.
M. KNo sign shall exceed the roofline of a building within any historic district.
N.&Freestanding signs are subject to the following limitations:
1. Maximum height of 20 feet or the height of the building,whichever is less;
2. One per parcel;
3. Only allowed within front yards or side yards which are adjacent to a street.
O. M:- No readerboard sign may exceed 32 square feet per side; changeable letters of such
signs must be adequately secured against wind loss, and each readerboard sign must be
one of the following:
1. A wall sign;
2. A marquee sign;
3. A freestanding sign within a structural framework.
P. I Except in the central business district (CBD) zone and along the west side of Fourth
Avenue between North and South Harbor Streets, no sign, except temporary street
banners, shall project into the airspace above any right-of-way or sidewalk.
2,07 Projecting signs(fin or right angle signs) are subject to the following limitations:
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2018-
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1. One per pedestrian entrance;
2. Maximum height of 20 feet or the height of the building, whichever is less;
3. Shall not extend over a public sidewalk in excess of the width of the sidewalk;
4. Shall maintain a clear vertical distance above the nearest grade by a minimum of
eight feet.
15.20.030. - Signs allowed without permits.
The following signs are not subject to a permit requirement if the following standards are
met. They shall be regulated by the following size and placement standards and shall not be
included when calculating permitted sign area for any building or parcel. If a proposed sign
exceeds the limits of this section, a sign permit must be obtained and the signage must count
toward the total allowed signage for the building or parcel.
A. Nameplates not exceeding two square feet and building markers;
* * * * *
J. Structure or improvements intended for a separate use, such as phone-berms, donation
containers,product dispensers, trash receptacles or recycling boxes;
* * * * *
O. Signs on vehicles, . . . . . • - • . •• . • . . • . • • , primarily and
actively used for business purposes, which identify the firm or its principal product (see
also section 15.20.035C.);
* * * * *
R. Temporary signs may be posted for not more than 30 days in a 180 day time period.
1. One temporary sign is allowed per property if non-commercial residential, and
one for each business in commercial districts
2. Temporary signs may include banners, flags, or pennants.
3. Temporary signs may not exceed twelve (12) square feet in residential areas and
thirty-two (32) square feet in commercial or industrial districts.
4. Temporary signs referencing a date or event must be removed within ten days
following the date or event.
S. Special noncommercial event signs may be erected two weeks prior to the event
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2018-
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per street frontages
•
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days following enactment.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, THIS
DAY OF , 2019.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
David Squires, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
Brenda Ballou, MMC
City Clerk
(City Seal)