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

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Planning & Zoning Commission July 15,2010 Page 2 of2 c. The new sign shall be a monument or ground sign that does not exceed eight feet (8') in height from the ground to the top of the sign. (Note: In accordance with Section 106-878(b) (2), sign not exceeding 8' in height do not have to be engineered.) d. A City permit shall be required prior to any new signage. e. All murals painted on the exterior surface of any building fa<;ade must first go through the permitting procedure. Murals must be visually appealing and enhance the historic downtown district. f. City approved sign design may be eligible for City participation under the Main Street Incentive Reimbursement Grant Funds." In addition, the subcommittee agreed with the staffs recommendation for off-premises signs within the right-of-way of Main Street. The purpose of these regulations is to promote the well-being of the community by establishing standards that assure the provision of signs adequate to meet essential communication needs while safeguarding the rights of the people in the community to a safe, financially viable and attractive environment. Generally, any sign legally existing as of the effective date of the zoning ordinance is considered legal, nonconforming and may continue as such in accordance with the conditions of this ordinance. Nonconforming signs shall be removed only when the Enforcement Officer utilizing appropriate sections and various provisions of the Code of Ordinances deem such sign as being dilapidated and constituting a definite health hazard to the public. Another tool to end nonconforming situation is Amortization, where the nonconforming structure must cease within the zoning district at the end of the structure's estimated useful economic life. Such signs shall have a time limit of 15 years. Per Section 106-266 of the Code of Ordinances, nonconforming use or structure shall be terminated at the end of an Extended Useful Life period, which is not less than five years, nor more than 20 years from the effective date of this ordinance. Though the City may seek to end nonconforming status through above referenced approaches, while business owners usually retain this status until it becomes economically undesirable. Action by the Commission 1. Discuss the issues 2. The Commission may elect to: ~ Direct staff to develop recommendations based on P&Z subcommittee input ~ Arrange a public hearing by next meeting or special called meeting ~ Make recommendations to City Council at the conclusion of a public hearing.