R2024-01 Resolution Authorizing a Redevelopment Agreement with Robinson Outdoor Advertising for Off-Premise Sign - 1910 Mt. Zion Road

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MEMO DATE: January 16, 2024 TO: Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council Members FROM: Scot Wrighton, City Manager Jon Kindseth, Deputy City Manager SUBJECT: Resolutions Authorizing Redevelopment Agreements with Robinson Outdoor Advertising for Off-Premise Signs (2 Separate Locations) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by staff that both of these items be approved as presented by adding additional public open space and revenue to offset the impacts of proposed signage. This item was tabled at the December 18, 2023 council meeting. The council asked that the two signs sites be separated so that the governing body could act on each request separately. BACKGROUND: The City of Decatur has signage regulations to prevent the proliferation of billboards in the urban core and the City at large. The City sign code also contemplates and allows for incremental expansion of new billboards, favoring electronic message boards over traditional vinyl faced billboards. Robinson Outdoor Advertising, which currently has no locations or signs in Decatur, reached out to the City expressing a desire to enter the Decatur market. Robinson has a national contract with Rural King to place advertising signage on their properties. Their intention was to place new signage at the corner of Mt. Zion Rd. and Maryland. Staff's preliminary review suggested that this sign request was permitted by right, however after further consideration, it was determined that the proposed multi-tenant sign for the Walmart Shopping center was technically an Off-Premise Sign, due to the fact that the sign sits on a different property parcel than the shopping center. For the reason stated above, a single variance is requested to allow the proposed signage at this location. If approved, the City would be provided with a $50K contribution to use to landscape and improve the public ROWS along this commercial corridor. Additionally, the City has contemplated ways to make sure that the vacant triangle at West Grand and Route 48 is not developed in a way that compounds sight distance and complex traffic movements. The triangle is within the West Grand TIF and adjacent to the proposed Garfield School project. The property simply is not big enough to have another business built on the site and still maintain safe traffic movements from all directions and comply with other codes, despite the fact a liquor store was there in the past. The property has been on the market for a long time. Staff believe the highest public use for the greenspace or public art. Robinson is willing to purchase the entire triangle and give it to the city if they can put a billboard on the southwest corner of the site. This is compatible with the proposed catalyst project planned for the former Garfield School site. Additionally,there is a strong possibility this property could be used for other City needs such as storm water detention or temporary materials storage for the Grand/Fairview area sewer projects,or other public uses. The City will also receive a$15K contribution to be used in this neighborhood to mitigate any negative impacts caused by this proposed sign. Additional funding for the open space enhancements could come from the West Grand TIF fund.