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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Ordinance O-2022-013 Amending Land Development Code "Signs Permitted on City owned property/right-of-way"Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 1 CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA ORDINANCE NO. 0-2022- 0/3 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE 4, OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA ENTITLED "DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN STANDARDS" BY AMENDING SECTION 10-4.10 ENTITLED "SIGNS", BY SPECIFICALLY AMENDING SECTION 10-4.10(L) ENTITLED, "PROHIBITED SIGNS" LIFTING THE PROHIBITION ON BILLBOARD SIGNS ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY AND RIGHTS OF WAY, AND AMENDING SECTION 10-4.10 (D) ENTITLED "GENERAL SIGN REQUIREMENTS" BY CREATING SECTION 10- 4.10(D)(4) ENTITLED, "SIGNS PERMITTED ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY/ RIGHT OF WAY" TO PROVIDE FOR PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR BILLBOARD SIGNS, SUBJECT TO SPECIAL EXCEPTION APPROVAL; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Florida Statutes provide that municipalities shall have the governmental, corporate, and proprietary powers to enable them to conduct municipal government, perform municipal functions, and render municipal service, and exercise any power for municipal purposes, except when expressly prohibited by law; and WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 4.07 of the City Charter of the City of Tamarac ("City") empowers the City to adopt, amend, or repeal such ordinances and resolutions as may be required for the proper governing of the City; and WHEREAS, in March of 2022 the City's Community Development Department Staff received an application for the placement of a billboard sign in city owned right of way; and CODING: Words in StFike +hre u.,h type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 2 WHEREAS, billboard signs are currently listed as a prohibited sign type in Section 10-4.10(L) of the City's Code; and WHEREAS, after speaking with city staff and being informed of the prohibition, the applicant determined that the best course of action was to submit an application to request a text amendment to the City's Code to lift the prohibition and allow billboards in the City of Tamarac; and WHEREAS, the City recognizes that signs and advertising play an integral role in economic development and permitting more signage in terms of quantity, size and placement, will expand economic development opportunities for Tamarac's local businesses; and WHEREAS, billboard signage has the potential to provide increased visibility for Tamarac businesses and events while promoting the City as a destination and vibrant suburb in Broward County; and WHEREAS, after review of the City's Zoning Map and existing right of way allocations regarding the applicant's request, staff determined that billboard signs are unique sign structures that are significantly larger in size with higher visibility posing a greater impact to the surrounding area in which they are placed; and WHEREAS, given the aforementioned considerations, staff recommended the applicant submit an application for an Amendment to the Text of the Land Development Code to allow for billboard signs in a limited capacity in the City of Tamarac, subject to Special Exception approval by the City Commission; and WHEREAS, Section 10-5.4(G) identifies the purpose of Special Exception is to provide for individualized review of certain uses that —due to their nature, relationship to the Comprehensive Plan, and potential adverse impacts on surrounding areas — CODING: Words in type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. 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No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 3 require special consideration of their location, design, and methods of operation, as well as the imposition of conditions to mitigate concerns, before they can be deemed appropriate in a zoning district and compatible with their surroundings; and WHEREAS, Objective 1, of the Future Land Use Element, in the City's Comprehensive Plan requires the City to administer and adopt appropriate land development code revisions, amending them as needed to respond to changing conditions; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendment supports Policy 1.5 of the Comprehensive Plan by promoting "quality development" in all land use categories by the establishment and implementation of design criteria and development standards in the Land Development Code which promote the highest standards of urban development and community aesthetics, and WHEREAS, the proposed amendment also supports Policy 10.8 of the Comprehensive Plan which requires uses to be located in a manner compatible with adjacent land uses so as not to adversely affect the health, safety, welfare or aesthetics of existing or future built environment which is achieved by proposed Code Amendment; and WHEREAS, this item additionally supports the City's Strategic Economic Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan, by expanding the sign provisions of the City's Code to further economic development initiatives which are responsive to the needs of the local business community; and WHEREAS, the Land Development Code is the guiding document for regulating signage and advertising materials within the City; and CODING: Words in strike thMu,,h type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. 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No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 4 WHEREAS, Land Development Code regulations are not static, and should be updated regularly to account for emerging trends resulting from evolving needs of the community; and WHEREAS, Section 10-4.10 of the City's Land Development establishes criteria by which signage may be erected, maintained, replaced and removed within its municipal boundaries -land WHEREAS, the proposed amendment would create Section 10-4.10(D)(4) to allow for the effective regulation of billboard signs by limiting their installation to city owned property or right of way located adjacent or contiguous to a major expressway, and require their compliance with additional distance separation and design guidelines; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendment would also lift the prohibition of billboard signs as currently cited in Section 10-4.10(L) of the City's Land Development Code and allow for the installation of billboard signs on city owned property or right of way subject to the conditions in Section 10-4.10(D)(4) of this proposed amendment; and WHEREAS, Section 10-5.4(D)(3) of the City's Land Development Code establishes criteria by which an amendment to the text of the Code may be considered; and WHEREAS, Staff has reviewed the applicant's request for an amendment to the text of the Land Development Code and has determined that the criteria have been met for considering the requesting changes to the Code; and WHEREAS, billboard signs are also largely regulated by the Florida Department of Transportation due to their proximity to major expressways and are subject to permit requirements and enforcement action to ensure compliance with State guidelines; and CODING: Words in strike thr. ug-1 type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. 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No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 5 WHEREAS, as a result, billboard signs would be subject to compliance with both the city and the state's guidelines; and WHEREAS, the Director of Community Development recommends approval of the ordinance; and WHEREAS, this item also supports the City's Strategic Plan, Goal #5 "A Vibrant Community" by addressing the regulation of nonresidential uses and their impact on the surrounding community; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac wishes to continue to be proactive in its development and support of policies that will expand economic development opportunities and provide for increased visibility for Tamarac businesses and events while promoting the City as a destination and vibrant suburb in Broward County; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac deems it to be in the best interest of the business owners, residents, and visitors of the City of Tamarac to amend Chapter 10, Section 10-4.10 entitled, "Signs" by lifting the prohibition of billboards and allow for their installation on city owned property or right of way. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The foregoing recitals are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Ordinance upon adoption hereof. SECTION 2. That Chapter 10, Article 4, Section 10-4.10(D), of the Land Development Code of the City of Tamarac, Florida is hereby amended as follows is CODING: Words in strike threug-, type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 6 hereby amended as follows: 10-4.10 - Signs (A) Purpose. This section sets fort the criteria for the location, installation, configuration, removal, and other standards for signs within the City. It is the intent of this section to authorize the uses of signs that- (1) Are compatible with their surroundings, legible in the circumstances in which they are seen, and appropriate to the activity that displays them; (2) Are expressive of the identity of individual activities and the community as a whole; (3) Promote the creation of an attractive visual environment that integrates signs into the architectural design and promotes an aesthetically pleasing community; and (4) Foster public safety along public and private streets within the community by assuring that all signs are in safe and appropriate locations that do not create a nuisance, conflict with traffic control devices, or unreasonably distract motorists. (B) Sign Permits (1) General. A Sign Permit is required pursuant to §10-5.4(L), Sign Permit, before the construction, erection, installation, posting, relocation, or alteration of any sign unless it is exempt under 10-4.10(B)(2), Exemptions. (2) Exemptions. A Sign Permit is not required for the following signs, though the signage standards in §10-4.10 do apply to such signs, and all signs within City public easements or rights -of -way and all traffic regulatory or traffic control signs are subject to Improvement Permits. - CODING: Words in striae throug-h type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 7 (a) Entrance signs installed by the City at or near the city limits, on which may be listed institutional names and points of interest; (b) Off -premise signs installed by the City that announce subdivisions and projects currently under development; (c) Signs installed by the City that provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the community; (d) Signs installed under the direction of federal, State, County, or City agencies, including community service signs, community directional signs, and directional signs; (e) Window signs; (f) Yard signs for single-family lots; (g) Flags of nations, states, counties, municipalities, civic organizations, and corporations; (h) Nameplate signs, building address signs, general information signs, "open" signs, and business signs, where such signs do not exceed three square feet in sign area; (i) Change of copy in permitted changeable copy signs; (j) Individual tenant panels in permitted multiple tenant monument signs; and (k) The refurbishing of a sign where copy is not changed, the cost of any repair does not exceed 50 percent of the original cost of the sign, and no electrical work other than for normal maintenance is necessary. (C) Comprehensive Sign Plan (CSP) A Comprehensive Sign Plan provides for CODING: Words in strike thmu ,h type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 8 uniformity and in many instances enhance the aesthetic appeal of multi -tenant commercial, public, institutional, civic and/or mixed used developments. New and significantly modified multi -tenant commercial, public, institutional, civic and/or mixed used developments for which a building permit for vertical construction is filed after the effective date of this ordinance shall adopt a Comprehensive Sign Plan subject to the following provisions. (1) A multi -tenant commercial, public, institutional, civic and/or mixed -use developments shall submit a Comprehensive Sign Plan that establishes a coordinated approach to site signage. Comprehensive Sign Plans shall provide specifications regarding sign. - (a) Type; (b) Materials; (c) Illumination; (d) Colors (e) Dimensions; and (f) Location (2) Developments utilizing a CSP may propose variations from City signage standards that address sign size and the number of signs allowed. Variations of up to 10 percent from the general requirement may be approved administratively. Variations above 10 percent must be reviewed by the Planning Board and approved by the City Commission. (D) General Sign Requirements. Only such permanent signs detailed in this section shall be permitted to be erected or maintained upon any building, lot, or parcel of land. Permits for permanent signs shall be reviewed by applicable city staff and issued by the building department based upon the signage regulations in effect, unless exempted from permit requirements. (1) Signs Permitted in All Zoning Districts Generally. The signs below are allowed generally in all zoning districts, subject to the listed standards. CODING: Words in stFike through type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 9 (a) Signs installed under the direction of federal, state, county, or municipal agencies; (b) General information signs, each not to exceed three square feet in area; and (c) One nameplate sign per residence or business, each attached to a front wall or door and not to exceed three square feet in total area. An additional nameplate sign displaying the business name or building number or suite number may be attached to the rear door or the wall space immediately above the rear door not to exceed three square feet in total area. The sign shall be installed in a manner so that it is visible at night through the use of reflective material or direct/indirect lighting. (2) Signs Permitted in Residential Districts. The signs below are allowed generally in all residential zoning districts, subject to the listed standards. (a) Community Directional Signs. The standards below shall be applied to general information, community directional signs, and directional signs. (i) The maximum sign area shall be three square feet; (ii) The maximum sign height shall not exceed three feet; and (iii) In no case shall such signs be located in the public rights -of -way. (b) Entrance Wall or Monument Signs CODING: Words in stFike +ti h type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 10 Figure 10-4.10-1: Entrance Monument Sign (i) A maximum of two entrance wall or monument signs are permitted per subdivision or multi -family residential development for each vehicular entrance. (i i) Entrance wall or monument signs shall be located on the adjacent sides of the vehicular entrance unless placed in the entrance median. (iii) In no case shall such signs be located in a public right-of-way. (c) Multi -Family Building Identification Signs. Each building shall include an address sign no smaller than six inches in height. A building identification sign is also permitted at the same height as a building address sign. (d) Yard Signs in Residential Districts. Yard signs, except for temporary yard signs, are allowed in residential districts without a sign permit pursuant to the following: (i) Shall not exceed more than four signs per property at any one time; (i i) Shall not exceed four (4) square feet per sign; (iii) Shall not exceed 24 square feet total yard signage on any property; (iv) Shall not exceed a height of 42 inches; (v) Shall not be located in the public right-of-way; (vi) Shall be located at least five feet from any property line; and (vii) Shall not be displayed for a period of more than 90 days per calendar year. CODING: Words in type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 11 (3) Signs Permitted in Nonresidential, Mixed - Use, and Special Purpose Districts. The signs below are allowed generally in all nonresidential, mixed -use, and special purpose districts, subject to the listed standards. Signs Permitted on City Owned Property/Right of Way. The signs below are allowed on city owned property or public right of way: (a) Billboard Signs. Billboard Signs shall be allowed on city owned property or public rights of way pursuant to the following standards: Q Billboard signs shall be subject to Special Exception approval pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 10-5.4(G). A. Location Billboard sians shall only be permitted on city owned property or right of way adjacent or contiguous to a major expressway within the city's municipal boundaries. For the purposes of this section, maior expressway shall mean Interstate 75 and the Florida Turnpike. B. Orientation All billboards must be oriented solely for advertisement to the traveling public on major expressways, meaning that the billboard shall be placed in such a CODING: Words in strike through type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 12 manner that sign face is directed at motor vehicles on the major expressway. C. Number of Sign Faces Permitted 1. In instances where the billboard structure is within 1.500 feet of residential property, the billboard sign shall be limited to a single sign face directed at motor vehicles on major expressways. For the purposes of this section distance measurement shall be taken from the nearest point of the residentially zoned parcel's property line in a straight-line distance to the sign structure. 2. Billboard structures located at least 1,500 feet away from residentially zoned property may have up to but not more than two (2) sign faces. 3. Billboard signage with more than one face shall be placed at an angle to form a single "V" or placed back-to-back and shall not be placed in a straight line. For V-type, or back -to CODING: Words in strike through type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 13 back signs, to be considered one sign for spacing purposes, the sign facings must either be connected by the same sign structure or cross -bracing, or the sign structures must be not more than fifteen (15) feet apart at their nearest point. D. Setbacks 1. All Billboard signs shall comply with the setback requirements stipulated by the Florida Department of Transportation for structures placed along major expressways in addition to the established setback requirements stipulated by the City during individualized Special Exception review. E. Distance Separation Requirements 1. No billboard sian structure, or billboard sign, or portion thereof, shall be located within 1,500 feet of another billboard sign or billboard sign structure, regardless of which side of any major CODING: Words in strike three gh type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 14 expressway that the sign is located. The distance shall be calculated as the shortest straight airline measurable distance between the edge of one sign to the edge of the other sign. 2. No billboard sign shall be erected within 150 feet of an existing residential use. All measurement of distances shall be along a straight airline route from the nearest point of the edge of the sign face to the property line of the existing residence. 3. Placement of a billboard sign shall not obstruct any government, municipal, or privately owned legally constructed sign and shall be spaced a minimum of 50 feet from any other building facade sign that is visible from a major expressway, this includes signs that are erected on private property of the city's existing businesses and municipal -tri irti ire - CODING: Words in type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 15 4. No billboard sign shall be erected within 25 feet of an existing non- residential building in a commercial or industrial zoned district. All measurement of distances shall be made from the nearest edge of the sign face by straight airline measurement to the nearest point of the building or proposed building. F. Design Guidelines 1. No portion of a permitted billboard sign face or structure shall exceed 50 feet in height. 2. No billboard sign face area shall exceed 14 feet by 48 feet (672 square feet) in area. All sign face images shall be confined to the internal borders of the sign face. 3. Where landscaping is required by the City durina individualized Special Exception review of the application for the billboard sign, the applicant shall utilize native landscape material as stipulated by the CODING: Words in strike threugh type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 16 City's Code. At a minimum, the applicant shall be required to plant trees typically grown in Broward County which normally mature to a height of at least 20 feet and shall have a clear trunk of 4 feet, an overall height of 12 feet and a minimum caliper of 2 inches (as measured pursuant to the provisions of the LDC) at time of planting; provided, however, that native trees and vegetation shall be managed such that no tree or vegetation on the property obscures vision of motorists on the city's malor expressway. The proposed billboard structure shall be required to meet all other requirements of this code and the Florida Building Code and shall have a painted finish for the pole and frame. No embellishments extending from the sign face or sign structure are permitted on any billboard sign. G. Illumination and Animated Messages CODING: Words in stFike threugb type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 17 1. No auditory message, smoke, or mechanical sounds shall be emitted from the sign. 2. The sign shall not display any illumination that moves, appears to move, blinks, fades, rolls, dissolves, flashes, zooms, scrolls, shows animated movement, or changes in intensity during the static display period. 3. All diaital sians shall have installed ambient light monitors and always shall allow such monitors to automatically adjust the brightness level of the sign based on ambient light conditions. 4. All billboard sians shall comply with the lighting, brightness, Nits, and h imPn-, requirements of the Florida Department of Transportation for illuminated, digital, and animated billboard signs. The sign shall also comply with the division's requirements for message display of anv illuminated. CODING: Words in type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 18 moving changing intervals, or copy transition on the sign. As such, the change from one message to the next message shall be instantaneous over the entire sign face. 5. Any digital sign that malfunctions, fails, or ceases to operate in its usual or normal programmed manner shall immediately revert to a black screen and shall be restored to its normal operation conforming to the requirements of this section within twenty-four (24) hours. 6. For public safety purposes, any signs which use the word "stop" or "danger" or imply the need or requirement of stopping, or which are copies or imitations of official signs shall be prohibited. 7. Red green, blue, or amber (or anv color combination thereof) revolving or flashing light giving the impression of a police or caution light is prohibited. CODING: Words in stFike thFC)Ugh type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 19 H. External Agency Approvals Required 1. The applicant shall furnish a copy of the applicable permit application and approval from Florida Department of Transportation and Broward County prior to approval of the city permit for the erection of the billboard sign structure. Ownership of the approved billboard sign must be maintained by the original applicant/entity and may not be sold, transferred, leased, or subcontracted to any firm or entity without prior approval from the City_ The City reserves the right to reject any application or permit for a billboard sign regardless of distance separation if it is determined that the sign will poses a detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. SECTION 3. That Chapter 10, Article 4, Section 10-4.10(L), is hereby amended as follows is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 10-4.10 (L) - Prohibited Signs. The following are signs which shall not be installed in the municipal boundaries of the City: (1) Animated signs including signs which intermittently illuminate, flash, or change illumination colors, except permitted billboard signs; (8) Billboard signs, except as permitted on city owned property or right of way; SECTION 4. It is the intention of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac CODING: Words in type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 20 that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Tamarac, Florida, and that the Sections of this ordinance may be renumbered, re lettered and the word "Ordinance" may be changed to "Section", "Article" or such other word or phrase to accomplish such intention. SECTION 5. That all Ordinances or parts of Ordinances, Resolutions, or parts thereof in conflict herewith, be and the same are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. SECTION 6. Should any section, provision, paragraph, sentence, clause of word of this Ordinance or portion hereof be held or declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, in part or application, it shall be considered as eliminated and shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Ordinance. SECTION 7. This Ordinance shall become effective upon adoption. "The remainder of this page is left blank intentionally" CODING: Words in stFike throug-h type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1 k PASSED, FIRST READING this '� day of 2022. PASSED, SECOND READING this J.:� day of _�,(,, 2022. ATTEST: QrL j 13> KIMBER DILLON, CMC ACTING CITY CLERK Temp. Ord. No. 2504 May 18, 2022 Page 21 kl�V6 �7_(3 MICH LEE J. GOMEZ MAYOR RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE: 1st Reading MAYOR GOMEZ nn DIST 1: COMM. BOLTON CJ DIST 2: V/M GELIN DIST 3: COMM. VILLALOBOS DIST 4: COMM. PLACKO �a RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE: 2nd Reading MAYOR GOMEZ_ DIST 1: COMM. BOLTON L/ DIST 2: V/M GELIN ` DIST 3: COMM. VILLALOBOS DIST 4: COMM. PLACKO APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY FOR THE USE AND RELI,�,NCI_ OF THIS CITYIOF TAMARAC ONLY. ��,P-6- -�► CODING: Words in strike thre gh type are deletions from existing law; Words in underlined type are additions. 134502564.1