06-C Sign Ord Amendments - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET PROJECT: Consideration of an ordinance revising Sections 28-1, 28-8, 28-9, and 28-37, repealing Section 28-21 and adopting a new Section 28-21, and adopting new Sections 28-22 and 28-23 to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris (the "Sign Ordinance"). BACKGROUND: Prior to 1970, the City of Paris adopted a comprehensive ordinance regulating signs inside the city limits. Since that time, the only substantial amendment to this ordinance came in 1986; however, the ordinance is still in need of revisions to provide the Community Development Department with better enforcement capability and to regulate additional kinds of signs that are not addressed currently. DESCRIPTION: The proposed changes to the Sign Ordinance are as follows: 1. Section 28-1, "Definitions," is being amended to add several new terms. As other sections are amended, new terms are introduced to the ordinance, and it is important to define those terms. 2. Section 28-8, "Location and heights," is being amended to mimic a provision found in Chapter 29, "Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Public Property," Article V, "Trees and Plants On or Near Streets and Sidewalks," Sec. 29-131, "Limitations on height of sight obstructions near street comers." This Section establishes a height and placement limitation on any obstructions near street comers. Although any sign constructed should comply with this Section, because there is no similar provision in the Sign Ordinance, there has been confusion over the years that has resulted in some signs being placed within a zone near a comer where one should not have been placed. A new subsection (k) was added to address the placement of attached signs, which is a new kind of sign added to the ordinance as part of this amendment. Although attached signs are very frequently used by businesses, they have never been adequately addressed in the Sign Ordinance. 3. Section 28-9, "Prohibited signs," is being amended as follows: (a) Some prohibited signs are being removed from the list in this section of the ordinance because they are being addressed in more detail elsewhere in the proposed revisions. (b) A revised provision addressing abandoned or obsolete signs has been added. (c) The provision regulating political signs has been removed because it no longer complies with State law. A new provision has been added in the section listing signs which do not require permits. (d) The provision regulating real estate signs has been removed. A new provision has been added in the section listing signs which do not require permits. (e) A wind load capacity requirement has been added to swinging signs. (D The provision prohibiting wooden signs in the Central Area District has been removed. This requirement is outdated. T U