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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-01 - AGENDA REPORTS - SIGNAGE TASK FORCE (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Smyth and Councilmembers FROM: George A. Caravalho, City Manager DATE: April 1, 1997 SUBJECT: SIGNAGE TASK FORCE AND UPCOMING DEADLINE FOR COMPLIANCE BACKGROUND On November 24, 1992, the City Council adopted the Unified Development Code, including the Sign Ordinance. In an attempt to address the concern that too many signs within the City had been erected which did not conform to the Sign Ordinance, a stipulation was added to the Code which required all pre-existing legal signs and sign structures be removed nine (9) years from November 13, 1990. As the date for compliance is fast approaching, staff has undertaken an effort to address the large number of signs still not in compliance and, hence, subject to the elimination requirement. As a result of the City Council directing staff to begin addressing the signage issue in the City, a Signage Task Force was established and on October 8, 1996, the first meeting was held. The task force is a group of individuals with differing viewpoints and professions assembled to analyze the issues, promote awareness within the community, and secure compliance with the requirements of the Sign Ordinance. The task force members are volunteers from the community including representation from the Chamber of Commerce, real estate agents, commercial property and business owners, and City staff. A listing of the task force members is provided in the attachments to this staff report. ISSUES Outreach The task force has been meeting monthly in an attempt to deterniine the best way to address the issue of non-compliance in the City. City staff has estimated that up to 75% of the signage within the City is not in compliance with the existing Sign Ordinance and thus subject to the 1999 deadline. As part of the ongoing meetings, the task force has discussed the best method of conducting outreach to the community. It was decided that it is paramount to the effort to get the word out to the community in every way possible. As a result, the task force has discussed utilizing the following methods of.outreach: Chamber of Commerce mailings Bank statement mailings Signage Task Force April 1, 1997 Page 2 Newspaper/cable television advertising Presentations to the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the community. Joint effort with the Chamber of Commerce Staff has always envisioned the task force as a joint effort between the City and the Chamber of Commerce to help facilitate compliance with the Sign Ordinance. One of the task force's first actions was to adopt a mission statement which read "to achieve 100% compliance with the Sign Code through a concerted effort between the Chamber of Commerce and the City." It is staffs belief that the Chamber of Commerce should be an equal partner in the effort, as it is the body tied most closely with the business community. City staff has committed to the task force that an effort will be made to understand the large amount of non-compliance and attempt to remedy the situation, while recognizing the needs of the business community. City Council Input Staff is hoping to receive comments from the City Council relative to the direction in which the task force is proceeding. RECOMMENDATION Support staffs continued efforts on achieving compliance with the Sign Code by 1999. ATTACHMENTS Minutes of Past Meetings (including list of task force members) Informational Flyer adv�ee\stf-s1-2.cdm Attendance Bob Gold, Canyon Country Plaza Michael Forest Canyon Center David Warts, Burger King Bob Kellar, Prudential Realty Robert Turchan Leigh Engdahl, Chamber of Commerce Tun Crissman, Crissman Commercial Richard Henderson, Planning Division Conal McNamara, Planning Division Kyle Lancaster, Code Enforcement Division Michael Haviland, Econornic Development Welcome and Introductions Robert Turchan was present as the newest member of the committee. Public Outreach The group discussed the initial notice to business and property owners. Tim Crissman brought up additional comments and the group recommended Rather modifications. Leigh Engdahl offered to distribute the notice through the next Chamber of Commerce mailing in March. Bob Kellar informed the task force that be bad looked into the possibility of utilizing bank statement mailings to disseminate information. 'Me banks appear to be supportive of the idea and a meeting is to be arranged with City staff and the bank representatives to further discuss the idea. Leigh Engdahl offered to provide bank contacts for the meeting, while Bob Kellar and Conal McNamara will take the lead to set up the meeting. The task force also discussed the possibility of encouraging banks to offer a program to the business owners whereby a certain amount of money could be put aside each month for the costs associated with the ultimate compliance. Additionally, the task force discussed the possibility of having a sign consultant present to inform the banks of the costs of signage. Tim Crissman reported that he is in the process of compiling a list of business and property owners for the ultimate mailings. Future Outreach Presentations The task force was informed that staff will be making a presentation to the Valencia Industrial Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the City Council (through a study session) in the near future. The presentations will take place in late March or early April. Additional Item The task force inquired as to the possibility of changing the Development Code as a potential method of obtaining compliance. Staff indicated that should the task force believe that areas of the code are problematic, such a finding would be brought to the attention of the City Council for discussion. The task force agreed to review the Sign Ordinance over the next month and discuss it at the March meeting. Staff indicated that concerns raised by the task force would be brought to the City Council at the upcoming study session. Future Meetine Schedule The next meeting was set for March 19, 1997, at 11:00 am. in the Main Conference Room at City Hall. Attendance Bob Gold, Food 4 Less Center Michael Forest, Country Center Dan Bryant, Newhall Land & Farming David Wurts, Burger King Bob Kellar, Prudential Realty Jeffrey Lambert, Planning Division Richard Henderson, Planning Division Conal McNamara, Planning Division Kyle Lancaster, Code Enforcement Division Welcome and Introduction The meeting began with self -introductions. Bob Kellar and David Wurts were present as the newest members of the committee. Public Outreach The task force discussed various methods of informing the public and helping them achieve compliance. A draft letter was presented to the committee which informs individuals of the impending deadline. The decision to send the letter was made and staff will attempt to utilize the Chamber of Commerce mailing as the method of distribution. The committee discussed the future presentations scheduled for the Valencia industrial Association and the Chamber of Commerce as well as the potential for future funding of Us program through the FY 1997-1998 budget. Discussion ensued as to other methods of cutreach. Bob Kellar offered to contact banks and see if it would be possible to include notification with monthly billing statements. A recommendation was also made that a Code Enforcement Officer be designated for outreach in the future; however, future staffing considerations will have to be made by the City Council. Future Meetine Schedule The group agreed that meeting approximately every month would be beneficial at this time. In the future, meetings could be more iiffrequent or on an as needed basis. The next meeting was set for February 19, 1997, at 11:00 am. in the Main Conference Room at City Hall. Attendance Bob Gold, Food 4 Less Center Michael Forest, Country Center Leigh Engdahl, Chamber of Commerce Tim Crissman, Crissman Commercial Dan Bryant, Newhall Land & Farming Jeffrey Lambert, Planning Division Mike Haviland, Economic Development Department Richard Henderson, Planning Division Conal McNamara, Planning Division Glenn Adamick, Economic Development Department Kyle Lancaster, Code Enforcement Division Welcome and Introductions The meeting began with self -introductions. Overview and Purnose of Si2na2e Task Force Staff gave a brief overview of the current requirement for all signage within the City to be in compliance with the Unified Development Code by 1999. Out of the realization that much has yet to be done to achieve this level of compliance, a task force has been created. The primary goal of the task force is to determine (1) what are we going to do?, (2) how do we get there?, and (3) who will do what. Concern was raised by members of the task force that additional members should be solicited, especially those who have signage within the City which is out of compliance. Names were received and staff indicated that efforts would be made to contact the individuals. Review of Materials Task force members were given copies of several documents to review before the next meeting including the current sign regulations, sign guidelines from 199 1, an outline of alternatives for implementation, and a sign ordinance implementation plan. Discussion/Development of a Mission Statement The task force discussed the need for a mission statement. Staff presented the following as a potential one: - To achieve 100% compliance with the Sign Code through a concerted effort Signage Task Force December 17,1996 Page 2 between the chamber of Commerce and the City. The general concept of the statement was well received as representational of the goals the task force needs to undertake. Methods of Informing Public of ImpendintFDeadline The task force discussed various methods of informing the public and helping them achieve compliance. Staff gave an overview of various methods to inform the public including public notices, presentations, and Chamber of Commerce mailings. A recommendation was made that, when sending notices, both property owners and tenants should be contacted. It was decided that the public would be notified in several stages, with the first being an initial "awareness" lefter sent out in January of 1997 to property owners inviting them to contact City staff if they have questions. Future outreach will involve presentations to the Chamber and the Valencia Industrial Association as well as additional mailings. Future Meetina Schedule The group agreed that meeting approximately every month would be beneficial at this time. In the future, meetings could be more infmquent or on an as needed basis. The next meeting was set for January 22, 1997, at 11:00 am. in the Main Conference Room at City Hall. .. . Attendance Bob Cold, Food 4 Less Center Michael Forest, Country Center Jeffrey Lambert, Planning Division Richard Henderson, Planning Division Conal McNamara, Planning Division Alex Vasquez, Economic Development Department Kyle Lancaster, Code Enforcement Division Not Present Leigh Ingdall, Chamber of Commerce Richard Grandinetti R.J. Kelley Welcome and Introduction The meeting began with self -introductions. Unfortunately, only two of the five outside members of the panel were in attendance. As such, discussion was somewhat limited, albeit helpful and positive. Overview and Purnose of Sitrna2e Task Force/ Discussion& Development of a Mission Statement The need to have additional members on the task force limited conversalion. However, discussion ensued regarding signage requirements within the City and, especially, in shopping centers. Out of this discussion, the following points were noted: Often times, the shopping center owners may not control the signs due to previous lease agreements; and Specific physical nature of the shopping center should be considered when addressing signage (e.g. grade separations, signage vs. structure setback from street, etc.). The group discussed methods of informing tenants of upcoming deadlines for compliance. Among those discussed were: Sending a noticefiefter every six months to each business with a sign in violation (this would involve site specific analysis of each violation in the city). Signage Task Force Minutes October 8, 1996 Having a sign seminar for business owners and sign companies; Utilizing visual aids in explaining signage requirements (previously adopted sign guidelines); and 0 Offering incentives to businesses which comply in a timely fashion. Due to the lack of diversity present at the task force meeting, it was decided that staff would prepare a draft mission statement and to bring before the task force at the next meeting. Suggestions were made regarding additional participants who might be helpful in the effort Those groups discussed included: • Small business owners; • Gas station owners; • Fast food operators; and • Active individuals/organizations in the community. Review of Materials Task force members were given copies of several documents to review before the next meeting including the current sign regulations, sign guidelines from 1991, an outline of alternatives for implementation, and a sign ordinance implementation plan. Future MeetinLy Schedule The group agreed that meeting approximately every month would be beneficial at this time. In the future, meetings could be more infrequent or on an as needed basis. It was decided that staff would pursue additional individuals to attend future task force meetings. City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Blvd. Suite 300 Santa Clarita California 91355-2196 Phone (805) 259-2489 Fax (805) 259-8125 INFORMATIONAL NOTICE INVITING BUSINESS OWNERS AND TENANTS TO BECOME. INVOLVED IN A COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT TO ADDRESS NON -CONFORMING SIGNAGE WITHIN THE CITY Currently, the City of Santa Clarita Unified Development Code requires that all pre-existing legal non -conforming signs (those signs approved prior to the City's incorporation which do not conform to the Unified Development Code) be brought into compliance by 1999. In an effort to promote awareness of the Code requirements, City staff is undertaking an outreach effort in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce. A Task Force has been established and charged with the responsibility of ensuring 100% compliance with the requirements of the Sign Ordinance. The purpose of this notice is to make all property owners, business owners, and tenants in the City of Santa Clarita.aware of the situation and the fact that much of the current " signage does not comply with the Code. As the Task Force meets, the situations and scenarios will be evaluated in an attempt to facilitate compliance on the part of owners and tenants. As part of this process, future workshops and outreach programs will be offered by the City. Notices will be mailed and advertised to provide everyone interested with the opportunity to attend. Additionally, staff is available to discuss signage requirements during regular business hours. To arrange an appointment, please contact Mr. Conal McNamara, of the Community Development Department, at (805) 255-4330. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER