| 09/08/11 Memorandum | Memorandum | Committtee Recommendations | Committee Minutes |
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| Ad Hoc Sign Code Revision Task Force Committee Recommendations June 6, 2011 |
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1. The task force discussed the current
sign credit system at length. The task
force voted to preserve the existing sign credit system.
2. The task force discussed video signage and
voted to recommend that full motion be prohibited on all off-premises,
on-premises and public purpose signs within the City. This includes prohibiting full motion on all
current signs.
3. The task force recommends that no
additional electronic digital off-premises signs be allowed. The task force also recommends that
on-premises electronic signs be treated the same as off-premises signs.
4. If off-premises digital signs are
allowed, the task force recommends 4 sign credits be required to convert a
static billboard to a digital one.
5. The task force recommends that the
display messages on both off-premises and on-premises signs be limited to a 6
second static message with no animation.
Scrolling messages would be allowed, but a definition of what
constitutes a scrolling message should be added to the sign code.
6. The task force recommends the City
adopt a non-subjective brightness standard for any electronic/video signs
whether they be on or off premises. The
standard that the task force recommends is .3 foot candles above ambient light. This standard is based on a presentation on
electronic/video signage by a representative of Daktronics. There are several communities/states which
have created a sign brightness/intensity standard based on the
brightness/intensity of the sign in comparison to the ambient lighting. There is currently equipment that costs less
than a $500 which can measure this standard.
7. The task force recommends that all
legal, non-conforming signs have a maximum of 10 years to come into compliance
with the sign code. The task force would
recommend that all legal non-conforming signs within the Downtown Historic
District and the Original Town of Rapid City be excluded from this requirement.
8. The task force recommends that City
signage, such as the
9. The task force reviewed the exception
for political signs and recommends the following changes:
POLITICAL SIGNS
Found in Sec.15.28.080 of
the RCMC
13. Temporary Ppolitical
signs are allowed so long as they are not located within the public
right of way, a required sight triangle or a required parking stall or
parking area., and Political signs may not be displayed
until thirty (30) days prior to the election and are limited to 32 total
square feet and a maximum height of 8 feet in height.
Temporary political signs shall be removed within 5 days after the election;
The
only substantive change was a prohibition against displaying political signs
more than 30 days before an election.
10. The task force reviewed the section of
the code on miscellaneous signs and recommended the following changes:
Miscelaneous
Signs – Charitable Exception
Found
in 15.28.050 and 15.28.220 of the RCMC
F.
Banners, pennants, search lights, streamer, twirling signs,
sandwich board signs, sidewalk or curb signs, balloons, air and gas-filled
figures shall not be used prohibited except when permitted
for the opening of a new business, not to exceed 15 days pursuant to
Section 15.28.220;
15.28.220 Miscellaneous signs.
The
following sign requirements are intended to provide exceptions or qualify and
supplement the other requirements of this code:
A. A permit may be issued for banners, pennants, sandwich board
signs, and air and gas-filled figures (not exceeding 15 feet in height) to the
following:
1. For a business in conjunction with a grand
opening. A permit issued under this
sub-section shall not exceed 15 days.
Only one grand opening will be allowed per business.
2. To a non-profit, civic, charitable or
fraternal organization in conjunction with a special event being held within
the City. The permit may authorize such
signage at multiple locations throughout the City. A permit issued under this sub-section shall
not exceed 30 days.
AB.
Public or private institutions, school, nonprofit membership
organizations, and philanthropic institutions that are educational, cultural,
religious or recreational in nature, may display on-premises signs.
However, such sign or part thereof shall not contain a commercial advertising
message. The signs shall comply with the following:
1. For on-premises ground signs and
on-premises wall signs, the size shall not exceed 32 square feet;
2. The height of the sign shall not exceed 8
feet;
1. One on-premises ground sign shall be allowed per street
frontage. The maximum height and area of
the sign shall be based on its distance from the street frontage based on the
following table:
|
Distance from Street Frontage |
Maximum Height |
Maximum Area |
|
0 to 50 ft. |
8 ft. |
32 sq.ft. |
|
50 to 200 ft. |
15 ft. |
64 sq.ft. |
|
Over 200 ft. |
20 ft. |
120 sq.ft. |
2. One on-premises wall sign shall be allowed per street
frontage. The maximum area for the signs
is based on the distance from the street frontage and is identical to the area
allowed for on-premises ground signs.
The height of the wall sign is dependent on the height of the building
and is not subject to the restrictions on height for on-premises ground
signs. If a wall sign is directly
adjacent to a walking or other paved surface, it must be at least 8 ft. from
the lowest part of the sign to the surface grade.
3. Signs shall not be placed within a required
sight triangle or a required parking area; and
4. Electric signs shall comply with § 15.28.130.
BC.
In the area of the City designated as the “original town,” Eeach
separate business entity may display 1 pedestrian-oriented sign for each wall
of the building that faces a public street in the original town. These signs are limited to 5-foot
projection, 8 square feet, 9-inch letters and 8-foot clearance.
CD.
For home businesses or occupations located in residential
zoning districts, tThe total area of wall signs or ground signs for
all residential entities on the premises may be is 1 square foot for
each dwelling unit. Wall signs or ground signs for all residential
entities on the premises must also meet the following:
1. A maximum of 1 such sign per street frontage
is allowed;
2. The maximum height of the sign shall be 8
5 feet; and
3. The maximum width of the sign area shall
be 8 feet.
DE.
Wall signs or ground signs for a commercial use in a residential
district or a home occupation may be 1 square foot in size per commercial use
or home occupation.
EF.
Miscellaneous signs shall not be located within any clear sight
triangle as set forth by city’s Municipal Code.
FG.
The light from any light source intended to illuminate a
miscellaneous sign, or emanating from an internally illuminated miscellaneous
sign, shall be so shaded, shielded, directed or of such an intensity that the
brightness shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises, nor
adversely affect safe vision of pedestrians or operators of vehicles moving on
public or private streets, driveways or parking areas. If a miscellaneous
sign is located in a residential zoning district, any illumination will be
turned off from
The
changes recommended by the task force would provide an exception to allow
certain signage which would otherwise be prohibited in conjunction with a grand
opening of a new business or in conjunction with a special event being
conducted by a non-profit, civic, charitable, or fraternal organization. The recommendation also made changes to the
allowable signage for schools and churches.
The requirements for signage in the current code are very
restrictive. In the past, these entities
used the