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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-28 - AGENDA REPORTS - FEE SUBSIDY FOR SIGN VARIANCE (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: AGENDA REPORT September 28, 1999 City Manager Approv Item to be presented Conal McNamara SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF FEE SUBSIDY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE FOR BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES WITH PRE- EXISTING, LEGAL NON -CONFORMING SIGNS THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE SIGN ORDINANCE AS WELL AS APPEALS OF ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE DECISIONS DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services Department RECOMMENDED ACTION Authorize City subsidy of Administrative Variance application fees for businesses and properties with pre-existing, legal non -conforming signs at a rate of $415 per application. Transfer $25,000 from City Council contingency account 1240-7401 to 3120-8110. Authorize City subsidy of appeal fees for Administrative Variance decisions affecting businesses and properties with pre-existing, legal non -conforming signs at an approximated rate of $1,040 per application. Transfer $25,000 from City Council contingency account 1240-7401 to 3120- 8110. On September 14, 1999, the City Council directed staff to return to the September 28, 1999, meeting with a mechanism to subsidize application and appeal fees associated with Administrative Variance applications for pre-existing, legal non -conforming signs that do not comply with the Sign Ordinance. ANALYSIS The cost associated with an appeal to the Planning Commission is $930, while the cost of an appeal to the City Council is $1,150. While subsidizing appeal fees will undoubtedly benefit applicants, it does not provide any incentive to applicants to work with staff to reach a compromise. By recommending a 100% subsidy of appeal fees, staff is unable to estimate the number of applicants that will take advantage of the ability to continuously appeal. Staff has, therefore, estimated 50 applications for Administrative Variances and 12 appeals each to the Planning Commission and City Council. Staff is proposing to transfer $50,000 from City Council contingency account 1240-7401 to subsidize these application fees. Continued To; ©-, q Agenda ltem:_�r ALTERNATIVE ACTION 1. The City Council may elect not to adopt the recommended fee subsidies. 2. The City Council may elect to authorize a partial subsidy of fees associated with Administrative Variance applications. FISCAL IMPACT Depending on the alternative chose, impacts could potentially be $50,000 from City Council contingency account 1240-7401. S:\PBS\current\signage\99176-s5.doc