07-15-10 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Workshop Meeting of La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

Browse Search

Staff Report August 19, 2010 Main Street District/Overlay Sign Regulations 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 an area such as the Main Street District. At the June 14, 2010 City Council meeting, proposed regulations were sent back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further review. 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. Planning and Zoning Commission at the July 15,2010, meeting, held a joint workshop with the Main Street Sign Subcommittee to review the proposal. The highlights of the proposed amendments are as follow: . All nonconforming signs listed at locations existing as of the 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. · These signs are exempted from the terms, conditions, and effects of Sections 106- 262. · Pre-existing signs may be repaired and/or maintained, but may not be enlarged. . Controlled Access Corridor signs shall be maintained as per provisions of Section 106-874 (3) (a) (b) (d) & (e).