Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:

Planning & Development Services Staff

CC:

 

Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager

Date:

May 19, 2015

RE:

Request for Sign Code amendment

 

Background

On April 3, 2015, William N. Fleming, General Counsel for Treanor Architects, submitted a letter to City Manager David Corliss requesting that the City consider amending the City of Lawrence Sign Code to allow certain “off-premise” monument ground signs to advertise businesses located on interior lots of a unified development.   Currently, the Sign Code only allows a business to advertise on a sign that is located on the lot the business occupies.  Although the April 3, 2015 request was specifically directed to off-premise signs for businesses located on interior lots of the Bauer Farms Planned Commercial Development (northeast of the intersection of Wakarusa Drive and W. 6th Street), the requested amendments would also affect allowed off-premise signage for businesses located on interior lots in similar unified developments.

 

On April 15, 2015, Planning and Development Services Staff met with Mr. Fleming and other Treanor Architects personnel to further review and understand the specifics of the Sign Code amendment request.  Staff’s understanding of the request was to amend the Sign Code (Chapter V, Article 5-18 of the City Code) to allow multi-tenant ground monument signs on outlying lots of unified developments that incorporate advertising for businesses located on interior lots not fronting major thoroughfares.  It was agreed during the April 15, 2015 meeting that Staff would prepare a Lawrence Sign Code Board of Appeals agenda item outlining the request from Mr. Fleming and presenting possible Sign Code amendment options for review and consideration by the Sign Code Board of Appeals. 

 

Per current Sign Code Section 5-1841.6(C), a development on a single lot that is five acres or more and includes multiple establishments is permitted to increase the size of a single multi-tenant monument sign on the site; or alternatively to install a second smaller multi-tenant sign at a secondary entrance to the development.  Because such multi-tenant signs are located on a single large lot, they are not considered to be “off-premise” signs.  Other unified developments on five acres or more with multiple lots have installed monument signs on each lot - advertising only the business located on that lot - per current Sign Code standards.  Bauer Farms has set its pattern with individual monument signs on each lot - advertising only the business on that lot - and is not eligible for “off-premise” multi-tenant signs under the current Sign Code.

 

Sign Code Board of Appeals Action and Recommendation

During its May 7, 2015 meeting, the Sign Code Board of Appeals received and reviewed the Request for Sign Code Amendment Memorandum prepared by Staff, along with supporting documentation.  The Staff Memorandum summarized the request, provided analysis and set forth two (2) general proposed Sign Code amendment Options.

 

Option 1: Recommend to the City Commission Sign Code amendments that would allow off-premise signs in certain limited circumstances for lots that are within a unified development or within a short distance of a major thoroughfare with approval of all parties having an ownership interest.

 

Option 2: Recommend to the City Commission Sign Code amendments that would allow the Sign Code Board of Appeals to review and consider Sign Code variance requests in limited circumstances (the Sign Code does not currently allow for variances).

 

In the Memorandum, Staff recommended that the Sign Code Board of Appeals recommend amending the Sign Code per Option 1.  Staff also outlined Sign Code amendments that would be required to adopt and implement Option 1.

 

After a staff presentation, receipt of public comment and significant discussion, the Sign Code Board of Appeals voted unanimously during its May 7, 2015 meeting to recommend that the City Commission adopt the proposed Option 1 Sign Code amendments (see attached draft Board minutes).  The proposed amendments, as set forth in proposed Ordinance 9113, will allow limited off-premise business advertising signs within a unified development of five acres or more by: (1) defining a Unified Development in Section 5-1802 (AA); (2) adding Section 5-1841.6(C)(2) to allow limited off-premise multi-tenant monument signs to advertise a business or businesses located on another lot or other lots within a unified development, provided no monument sign is installed on the lot or lots occupied by the off-premise business or businesses; and (3) amending Section 5-1845 to exempt off-premise signs allowed by new Sign Code Section 5-1841.6(C)(2) from the Sign Code prohibition on new off-premise advertising signs.

 

Staff Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Commission amend the City of Lawrence Sign Code to allow limited off-premise advertising signs for businesses located on lots within multi-lot unified developments of five acres or more, as set forth in proposed Ordinance 9113.

 

Action

Consider adopting on first reading, Ordinance No. 9113, amending Chapter V, Article 5-18 of the City of Lawrence Code to allow limited off-premise advertising signs for businesses located on lots within multi-lot unified developments of five acres or more, if appropriate.