Ordinance 2010-253 (Weekend Directional Signs)

[ONESTOP THRIFTSHOP]

//City Council Meeting Tuesday 4/27/2010 at 5 pm.

Ordinance 2010-253 (Weekend Directional Signs) The bill number is: 2010-0253 and it can be found by going to: www.coj.net but here is the link as well: http://citycirc.coj.net/docs/2010-02...t/2010-253.doc


I will be opposing this ordinance due to it will not benefit alot of the businesses in Jacksonville.

I have made recommendations to the City Council and the Mayor in reference to this Ordinance.

Introduced by Donna Troup

Business Owner of

One Stop Thrift Shop

3644 Post Street         Jacksonville, FL 32205

Dated April 20, 2010


IN REFERENCE TO ORDINANCE 2010-253


The weekend directional signs WILL NOT Benefit the businesses in the City Of Jacksonville because many businesses are not open during the 48 hours that is recommended in this ordinance 2010-253.

We as business owners need signs that are available 7 days a week to benefit and generate revenue to our locations. To let the people of Jacksonville know that we are in the area to serve them as a business instead of a building being vacant and making the community look bad.

I am recommending that signs be allowed during business hours for all businesses and that they be taken in at the close of business each day.

I am recommending that the signs be no larger than 4 square feet and no higher than 4 feet. This way they are not considered a safety hazard.

I am recommending that the permit fees be $25 for one sign and $15 for each additional sign. So the small business owner like the mom and pops stores can afford them.

I am recommending that the permit be for 1 year and renewed every year.

I am recommending that the signs be allowed, to be put out on the city right of way within the store's district no closer than 3 feet from the curb of the traveled roadway and no closer than 5 feet to each other.

I am recommending that the Signs for Social Events should only be allowed for 1 week prior to the event and taken down within 24 hours of the event ending. Permit fees for event signs should be $15 for each sign, the size be no larger than 4 square feet and no higher than 4 feet and be put no closer than 3 feet from the curb of the traveled roadway.

I am recommending that for banners that are located at the businesses be allowed for 1 week to let the community know that there is a sale going on as long as it is not a safety hazard to the public. Permit fees for banners should $35 for a 1 year permit for each banner. This way the businesses can change the banner out for different sales.

Think about this: all street signs and addresses are a safety hazards to the public if you have to slow down to find a street name, address on a house or building, name of business on the building.


>:(Enough is Enough.  WE Business Owners needs to Fight Back and Be able to put our signs out and the permit fees be affordable.

[sheclown]

Team Recovery Thrift Store is with you on this!  We had to take down our signs, too.

Now, people wander in and say "geez, I didn't know there was a thrift store here."

[ONESTOP THRIFTSHOP]

Just an update.  The LAND USE AND ZONING BOARD MEETING IS TOMORROW TUESDAY MAY 18TH AT CITY HALL AT 5 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

I WLL BE THERE and I have been working with the planning and zoning departments via phone calls to get this ordinance to meet the needs of the small business owners.

Here is the information below I have received recently.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

The Planning and Development Department hereby forwards to the Planning Commission, Land Use and Zoning Committee and City Council its comments and recommendations on:

ORDINANCE 2010-253

AN ORDINANCE REGARDING SMALL WEEKEND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS; MAKING FINDINGS; AMENDING CHAPTER 656 (ZONING CODE), PART 13 (SIGN REGULATIONS), ORDINANCE CODE, TO CREATE A NEW SECTION 656.1313 (SMALL WEEKEND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS) TO AUTHORIZE THE PERMITTING AND PLACEMENT OF SMALL WEEKEND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS; PROVIDING CONDITIONS; PROVIDING FOR A PERMIT FEE; PROVIDING FOR SUNSETTING ON JULY 31, 2011; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

COMMENTS

I.   GENERAL INFORMATION

This bill creates a new Section 656.1313, Ordinance Code, to authorize the permitting and placement of small weekend directional signs in the public right-of-way. The signs would be limited from 3:00 PM Friday afternoon until 3:00 PM Sunday afternoon. 

II.   EVALUATION

A.   The need and justification for the change

The legislation will allow for businesses to reasonably communicate a directional message to customers trying to locate their business during the weekend. Each directional signs would be permitted individually and be limited in height, area and placement in the right of way. The new signage provisions would provide an economic boost to existing businesses trying to attract new business without endangering public safety or creating visual nuisance through the proliferation of signs. Signs currently in the right of way are illegal but have continued unabated even through extensive enforcement efforts. The bill as amended will ensure controlled off-site directional signage is permitted and regulated while providing a public benefit by making it easier for the general public to locate a place of business.   


B.   Summary of Bill

The bill amends Ordinance Code Chapter 656 â€" Zoning Code â€" to create a new Section 656.1313 permitting the use of “small weekend directional signs”.  The section defines “small weekend directional sign” (no more than 6 square feet, no more than 4 feet high) and establishes a permitting system and fee by which a person or entity may receive a City permit to erect small signs within City rights-of-way but away from the paved road surface from 3 p.m. on Friday through 3 p.m. on Sunday for the purpose of directing the public to a business or social activity.  The new section includes a sunset provision for the section to expire on July 31, 2011 unless otherwise extended by Council, and includes a severability clause pro-viding that if the new section is ruled to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise unenforce-able, it is deemed to be repealed and to have no adverse effect on any other provision of the Zoning Code or sign ordinance.

C.   The relationship of the proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and the work of the Department with appropriate consideration as to whether the proposed amendment will further the purposes of the Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan.

If approved as conditioned the bill will allow reasonable off-site directional signage that is temporary in nature and only utilized during weekend hours. 

Directional signage that is temporary and limited as to area and height will not negatively alter the aesthetic character of an area, or substantially interfere with the rights of others. Regulated placement of small directional signs will not have a detrimental effect on vehicular or pedestrian traffic or the public health safety and welfare. Small directional signs will provide a public benefit while allowing a business to reasonably communicate their message. Based on the above and proposed amendments the proposed legislation is in harmony with the spirit and intent of the Zoning Code. 

D.   Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.[/u]

Ordinance 2010-253 is consistent with the Goals, Objectives and Policies of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, including the following:

Policy 1.1.5 Future Land Use Element - Ensure that all future development and redevelop-ment meets or exceeds the requirements of all Land Development Regulations, including, but not limited to zoning, subdivision of land, landscape and tree protection regulations, and signage, as established and adopted by the City, State of Florida and the federal government, unless such requirements have been previously waived by those governmental bodies.

Policy 2.3.7 Future Land Use Element - The City shall incorporate incentives and standards for on-site lighting, perimeter landscaping and signage in the Land Development Regulations which will result in high quality site designs, and will require that landscaped buffer areas, pedestrian walkways and other pedestrian and public transit use amenities are provided in site development plans.

Policy 5.2.1 Transportation Element - The City shall require that all new roadways or drive-ways intersecting with the City's existing and future roadway network provide a clear zone, defined as an area free of any obstruction including trees, mailboxes, ornamental structures or landscaping, identification signs, etc.

II.  RECOMMENDATIONS

Based upon examination of the proposed ordinance with respect to the goals, objectives and policies of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan, and the intent of the Zoning Code, the Planning and Development Department finds that Ordinance 2010-253 is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and furthers the intent of the Zoning Code. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the Planning and Development Department that Ordinance 2010-253 be Approved subject to the following:


1.   Directional signs in the right of way shall be limited to a maximum of one sign for every 100’ feet of
             right-of-way frontage.
2.   Directional signs in the right of way shall not be placed in excess of 1 mile from the subject property.
3.   Directional signs in the right of way shall not exceed 3’ in height.
4.   Directional signs in the right of way shall be placed at least 4 feet from edge of pavement or back of
             curb.
5.   Directional signs in the right of way may not obstruct a public sidewalk
6.   Directional signs in the right of way shall not be placed within 10’ of a driveway intersection, or within
             25’ of a roadway intersection.
7.   Each directional sign shall identify all permitting information.
8.   Each sign must include directional information.
9.   Directional signs shall not be placed in the right of way in front of a single family residential use.
10.   Directional signs shall not be placed in the right-of-way within any locally designated historic district or
            designated scenic corridor. 

If you have any suggestions please email at onestopthriftshop@hotmail.com before 1 pm tomorrow Tuesday May 18th so I can present them to the Board tomorrow evening.  Or just come on down to the meeting.  I will be there.   Or call me at 904-562-8939,  Donna