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Council Provided Information - 6/6/2023CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY 451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 304 P.O. BOX 145476, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84114-5476 SLCCOUNCIL.COM TEL 801-535-7600 FAX 801-535-7651 COUNCIL STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL of SALT LAKE CITY TO:City Council Members FROM:Brian Fullmer Policy Analyst DATE:June 6, 2023 RE: Sign Ordinance Text Amendment to Allow Pole Signs on Public and Private School Property PLNPCM2021-00190 BRIEFING UPDATE The Council expressed general support for the proposed text amendment and raised a few items for follow- up. 1.Off-Premise Use: There was a discussion about potentially allowing off-premise community events or fundraising advertising. Some Council Members were supportive of this, and others expressed concerns. Those in favor of the advertising noted that it would be an effective method of informing the community of these events. Those opposed shared concerns it would lead to business advertising similar to advertising banners near school sports facilities, and the risks outweigh benefits. The City Attorney’s Office said off-premise advertising is prohibited by city code. Allowing it on school property would put the City in jeopardy of being required to allow it for others. 2.Light Dimming: A question was raised about when schools dim or turn off signs on school properties. Planning staff contacted the school district and was told the sign displays can be dimmed if there are reports of negative impacts to nearby neighbors. Another question concerned whether schools with frontages on two sides of the property would be allowed to install two signs. A representative from the Salt Lake City School District stated the signs are a vital communication tool for communities where schools are located but is not interested in allowing advertising on school signs. He also said no more than one sign would be installed on each school’s property. The following information was provided for the May 16, 2023 Council briefing. It is included again for background purposes. Item Schedule: Briefing: May 16, 2023 Set Date: May 16, 2023 Public Hearing: June 6, 2023 Potential Action: June 13, 2023 Page | 2 The Council will be briefed about a proposal initiated by the Salt Lake City School District to allow freestanding pole signs on school property. Some zoning districts on which schools are located do not allow pole signs under the current ordinance. An enforcement case for a pole sign at a high school prompted the requested text amendment. The Administration recommends allowing pole signs on public and private K-12 school property within the city regardless of the zoning district if they meet the following requirements: •One pole sign per school property. •Maximum freestanding pole sign height is 15 feet for local streets, and 25 feet along collector and arterial streets. •Maximum of three sign faces with a combined sign face area of 180 square feet for signs on local streets, and 540 square feet for signs on collector or arterial streets. •No minimum setback, but all portions of the sign must be on school property, and not overhang into the public right-of-way. •No advertising of off-premises events, goods, or services. •Animated images would not be allowed. •Pole signs would be subject to all other requirements for signs, and applicable zoning overlay requirements. Planning staff recommended the Planning Commission forward a positive recommendation to the Council. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposal at its February 8, 2023 meeting and held a public hearing at which no one spoke. Commissioners voted 9-2 in favor of forwarding a positive recommendation to the City Council. A Commissioner who voted against the proposal stated she was not supportive of additional pole signs in the city. The other Commissioner opposed did not state a reason for her opposition. Goal of the briefing: Review the proposed zoning map amendments, determine if the Council supports moving forward with the proposal. POLICY QUESTIONS 1. The Council may wish to discuss limiting how close pole signs can be placed to homes near schools. 2. The Council may wish to discuss limiting overall brightness of signs or require dimming the sign displays after sunset. 3. The Council may wish to consider whether the School District should notify immediately adjacent neighbors of any changes to existing signs or installations of new signs. KEY CONSIDERATIONS Planning staff identified three key considerations related to the proposal which are found on pages 6-7 of the Planning Commission staff report and summarized below. For the complete analysis, please see the staff report. Consideration 1-Public Process As noted above, the Glendale Neighborhood Council sent a letter expressing support for the proposal. Planning staff and a representative from the Salt Lake City School District attended the December 12, 2022 Sugar House Community Council meeting. Meeting attendees expressed general support for standards permitting the signs at local schools. The signs were said to be appreciated by the public for providing information about events at the schools. Page | 3 Scenic Utah provided a letter in December 2022 recommending smaller signage with limited impact to the neighborhood and displays only school related information. Additional recommendations included issuing permits for new school signs on a case-by-case basis, and an impact assessment. Consideration 2-Compliance with Master Plan Policies Planning staff found the proposed text amendment aligns with initiatives found in Plan Salt Lake, and stated: “The amendment supports the vision of neighborhoods that provide a safe environment, opportunity for social interaction, and services needed for the wellbeing of the community therein. Schools are frequently regarded as cultural resources, as well as places of learning and social interaction. Active communication with the public about ongoing events is a resource for residents.” Consideration 3-Compliance with the Standards for General Amendments Planning staff reviewed the proposed text amendment against the following criteria City Code says the City Council should consider. Please see Attachment C (page 15) of the Planning Commission staff report for additional information. Factor Finding Whether a proposed text amendment is consistent with the purposes, goals, objectives, and policies of the City as stated through its various adopted planning documents. Complies Whether a proposed text amendment furthers the specific purpose statements of the zoning ordinance. Complies A proposed text amendment is consistent with the purposes and provisions of any applicable overlay zoning districts which may impose additional standards. Complies The extent to which a proposed text amendment implements the best current, professional practices of urban planning and design. Complies City Department Review During City review of the petition the City Attorney’s Office suggested constraints to address potential issues with the signs. •Limit nuisance lighting on adjacent properties. •Prohibit off-premises advertising. •Designate setbacks. •Limit sign size. No other responding departments or divisions expressed concerns with the proposal, but stated additional review and permits would be required as signs are installed. Page | 4 PROJECT CHRONOLOGY • March 3, 2021-Petition for zoning map amendment received by Planning Division. • October 26, 2022-Petition assigned to Meagan Booth, Principal Planner. • November 16, 2022-Information about petition sent to all community councils. Project posted to City website for an online open house. o January 26, 2023-Planning Commission agenda posted to City website and emailed to listserv. • February 8, 2023-Planning Commission meeting and public hearing. The Planning Commission voted 9-2 to forward a positive recommendation to the City Council for the proposed zoning text amendment. • March 2, 2023-Ordinance requested from Attorney’s Office. • March 21, 2023-Planning received signed ordinance from the Attorney’s Office. • April 5, 2023-Transmittal received in City Council Office.