06-17-10 Regular Meeting and Workshop of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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Staff Report July 15, 2010 Main Street District/Overlay Sign Ordinance Background: The Planning and Zoning Commission, at their March 24, 2010, meeting, held a public hearing to receive citizen comments regarding on and off-premise signs in the Main Street District and Overlay. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission forwarded the proposal to City Council for action. On April 26, 2010, City Council held a public hearing to consider the sign ordinance for the Main Street District and Overlay. The Council voted to table the public hearing and any action until their first meeting in June. Intent was to provide an opportunity for the business owners in the Main Street District/ Overlay to participate in the planning process. Subsequently, a town hall meeting was held on May 19, 2010, at the Old City Hall. Main Street business owners participated and voiced their concerns about possible changes to the sign ordinance related to on and off-premise signs within the Main Street District/Overlay. Most of those providing testimony wanted Council to consider all existing signs as conforming to the current ordinances as proposed regulations are too restrictive and inflexible particularly in area such as Main Street Historic District. At the June 14, 2010 City Council meeting, proposed regulations were sent back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further review. Later, the Planning and Zoning Commission at their June 17,2010, meeting, established a subcommittee to review the sign ordinance for the Main Street District/Overlay. Analysis: Main Street Sign Subcommittee met regularly and recommended following provisions for on-premIses SIgns: a. All nonconforming signs listed at locations existing as ofthe effective date of this ordinance are considered legal, grandfathered, and may continue as such in accordance with the specifications, regulations, and conditions of this ordinance. b. These signs are exempted from the terms, conditions, and effects of Sections 106- 262 and 1 06-871 (e). i. Pre-existing signs may be repaired, maintained but may not be enlarged. ii. All signs shall be kept in a state of good repair. The sign frame shall be free of rust, painted if needed, and structurally sound. iii. Controlled Access Corridor signs shall be maintained as per provisions of Section 106-874 (3)(d)(e) and may follow distinctive character ofthe Main Street District upon a change of new business or theme of the new franchisee.