2008-48 AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE - SIGNAGE

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Excerpts from Plan Commission Minutes of July 3, 2008 Cal. No. 08-21 Petition of GREG C. CROWE, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, for amendments to the City of Decatur Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Stephanie Ashe was sworn in by Mrs. Janet Poland. Ms. Ashe 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. As Electronic Message Units have become a more common form of advertising, Staff recognized the need to reevaluate the current rules and regulations. Additionally, Off-Premise Electronic Message Unit Signs have also become a more common form of advertising along highways and thoroughfares. Prior to finalizing changes, Staff inet with Lamar Outdoor Advertising and Bendsen Signs and Graphics, both of whom were involved in the process and agreed with the changes. Staff recommends the following amendments: Amend SECTION II. (Definitions) by adding: "BACKGROLIND: The display representing the animation or graphics which lie behind the text and are less prominent in nature." "CORE AREA: Area bounded by Pershing Road/Illinois Route 121, 22°d Street, Lake Shore Drive, South Side Drive, and Oakland Avenue/Illinois Route 48." ' "FOREGROLTND: A part of the message which is nearest the front of the display and is prominent in nature." "MESSAGE: The complete configuration of text,numerals, graphics, or animation displayed in the background and fareground within electronic message unit signs and off- premise electronic message unit signs." "SIGN, ELECTRONIC MESSAGE UNIT: Shall mean a sign displaying text, numerals, graphics, or animation indicating the names of persons associated with events conducted upon or products or services offered upon the premise where the sign is maintained; is illuminated internally by means of electric bulbs, LCD or other similar methods; and is controlled electronically with the ability to be programmed to change." "SIGN, ELECTRONIC MESSAGE LTNIT MONUMENT STYLE: A monument style sign structure in which the electronic message unit is framed by a stone and/or masonry material. No electronic message unit shall sit on top of the stone and/or masonry material without the stone and/or masonry covering the entire unit." "SIGN, OFF-PREMISE ELECTRONIC MESSAGE LTNIT: Shall mean a sign displaying text, numerals, graphics, or animation located in certain non-residentially- zoned districts that advertise goods, products, services or facilities, or direct persons to a location different from where the sign is erected. These signs are illuminated internally by means of electric bulbs, LCD or other similar methods, and are controlled electronically with the ability to be programmed to change."