2012-66 AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE - SIGNAGE - POLITICAL SIGNS - SECTION XXV. B.16

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Excerpts from Plan Commission Minutes of September 6,2012: Cal. No. 12-33 Petition of BILLY TYUS, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, for amendments to the City of Decatur Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Stickle presented the recommendation of staff: The current City of Decatur Zoning Ordinance was adopted in May of 2002. Since the time of adoption, Staff has discovered certain necessary changes, discrepancies and omissions as the new ordinance has been implemented, specifically in SECTION XXV. Signage. It is Staff s hope that these changes will make the Zoning Ordinance more comprehensive and applicable to the changing built urban environment all the while keeping the charge of making Decatur a beautiful place to live, work and play. The proposed amendment to Signage involves political signs and laws enacted by the State of Illinois. The city's current sign regulations do not distinguish political campaign signs from non- political signs. However, a recent change to the Illinois Municipal Code restricts municipalities from prohibiting the display of outdoor campaign signs on residential property during any period of time. Municipalities still may enforce "reasonable restrictions" for the size of political campaign signs. Add SECTION XXV.B.16 (Signage-Political Signs): 16. Political Signs Outdoor political campaign signs on residential property for residential use are exempt from the time period regulations and the number of temporary signs to be displayed as outlined in the following subsections." Staff recommends approval of the amendment as proposed. Section XXIX.G. of the Zoning Ordinance requires the Plan Commission to hold a public hearing and make recommendations to the City Council on amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. A motion to forward Calendar Number 12-33 to City Council with a recommendation of approval is suggested. There were no objectors present and no questions. It was moved and seconded (Peck/Newton) to forward Cal. No. 12-33 to the City Council with recommendation for approval as presented by staff. Motion carried unanimously.