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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-08-24-76-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 24, 1976 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., August 24, 1976, in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Hazel N. Scotto presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: _. William L. Greene Richard M. Jennings, Mayor Pro Tem Kenneth J. Miller Theodore H. Jackman Hazel N. Scotto, Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development William A. Coggin, City Planner Francis E. Carter, Assistant City Planner Jeanne Cook, Deputy City Clerk -Treasurer Judy McDonnell, Executive Secretary Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Referring to Page 245, item (17), Councilman Jennings asked about removing the section referring to "finished grade". Mr. Spindel agreed it is in conflict with the Building Code. Mr. Coggin pointed out the public hearing has to be conducted on the text as written, and any changes requested by the Council will be contained in an appendix to the ordinance. Discussion was held regarding the Intent and Purpose contained in Part 9146, Signs. City Manager Thompson said the legal interpretation of sections on intent and purpose, unless very specific, have little legal impact unless a legislative body pro- vides criteria or standards by which these can be enforced. He suggested the Council arrive at a general area of agreement as to what is the intent and purpose, and then ask the City Attorney to develop proper legal language. Councilman Jackman said some of the wording is negative to business in the City. Mr. Coggin indicated the intent and purpose states what creates problems, and the rest of the section attempts to resolve them. Responding to questions, he defined the section on Abandoned Signs (Page 242). Speaking to Page 246, Outdoor Advertising or Billboard Sign, Councilman Jackman questioned the 20 percent of a sign devoted to advertising and how this is determined. He said he will prepare a list of signs in the community for staff to advise as to whether they are non -conforming under the code, why they are non -conforming, when they would have to be taken down, and a layout to scale showing what size the sign could be to conform. Councilman Jennings said the newspaper quoted the Downey Chamber of Commerce as saying they wanted 80 percent of the sign covered. Mr. Bill Cole, Downey Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber's original request was 75 percent. Mr. Arden Berg, representing the Sign Users' Council, said he will give a presen- tation at the public hearing. Mr. Thompson suggested on Page 246, Line 24, deleting the words "standard name - brand". Mayor Scotto declared a recess at 5:32 p.m. The meeting resumed at 6:02 p.m. with all Council Members present. Council Minutes 8/24/76 (adjourned) -1- Councilman Jennings stated Page 249, Paragraph (3) is in direct contrast with Page 268a. Mr. Coggin defined scintillating and blinking lights. Councilman Miller suggested cross-referencing the sections on Pages 249 and 268a referring to blinking and scintillating lights. Discussion followed. Mr. Coggin pointed out that on Page 249, Paragraph (9) includes balloons and other types of inflated objects designed to attract attention. Councilman Greene asked if it is necessary to include graffiti. Mr. Spindel said graffiti would be prohibited by Paragraph (7). Councilman Jennings raised questions regarding Paragraph (12), Page 250, which includes billboards. Mr. Coggin stated billboards would also be included under Section 9146.22, Page i. Councilman Jennings said in many instances subjects are listed in more than one section of the ordinance, and he is against this. Referring to Page 249, Paragraph (10), Councilman Jackman indicated he does not have objection to the flying of flags and banners by car dealers, particularly since they contribute to the City's tax base. Mr. Coggin pointed out that during public hearings before the Planning Commission, people have objected strenuously to flags and banners. During discussion on item (15), Page 250, Mr. Coggin defined advertising statuary and the problems that have occurred. Councilman Jackman said he hopes public service signs will not be included under Paragraph (16), Page 250a. Mr. Coggin discussed Paragraph (b), Page 251, Real Estate Signs, and the 52' posted in residential zones, which he said the Planning Commission felt to be the most desirable height. He also mentioned the section is written so that "for sale or lease" will be the largest letters on the sign, and when the property enters escrow the sign will be removed. Councilman Jennings suggested the wording at the beginning of Page 252 be changed so that no "sold" sign shall be permitted to remain after a property is sold because it then becomes strictly advertising for the real estate firm. Councilman Miller suggested using the words "sale pending" because of some of the problems that can occur during a sale. He favored the post signs because of their visibility and said he would like to see the telephone number the second largest let- tering on a sign. Councilman Jennings questioned the enforcement of this section on signs of leas- ing agents in front of apartment houses advertising apartments for rent. Discussion ensued. Mr. Coggin said R-4 should be deleted from Page 252, Line 18, under Political Signs. He commented on the displaying of political signs before an election and of the cash bond that will be required. Councilman Jennings left the meeting at 7:10 p.m. In discussing the posting of political signs, the Council suggested one sign per residence, per office, per issue. Another study session on the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance was scheduled for 5:00 p.m., September 14, 1976, in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall. There being no further business to come before the City Council the meeting was adjourned at :17 p.m. �0.VL o0 Jean e JCb,9k, Deputy City\Clerk-Treasurer Council Minutes 8/24/76 (adjourned) -2- Hazel�cotto, Mayor