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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-12-29-80-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 29, 1980 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., December 29, 1980, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Theodore H. Jackman presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Lyell W. Swearingen Milton R. Mackaig Mayor Pro Tem James T. Quinn Robert G. Cormack Theodore H. Jackman Mayor ALSO PRESENT: John H. Saunders, Acting City Manager William A. Goggin, City Planner Harry Rayson, Building Official Tom Matuk, Code Enforcement Officer Jeanne Cook, Deputy City Clerk Study Session regarding the Sign Ordinance Mr. Goggin distributed a list of proposed changes compiled by Councilmen Swearingen and Mackaig, the Chamber of Commerce, and staff. A hearing on the pro- posed changes was conducted by the Planning Commission, who subsequently submitted its Resolution No. 405, recommending amendment to Section 9148.10(a)(3)(i) of the Downey Municipal Code concerning window signs. Any change of the Code would require a hearing before the City Council. Mayor Jackman said he would like to be excused from the meeting at 6:00 p.m. He then indicated he would like to see the Sign Ordinance enforced for a year or longer. He has no objection to the change requested by the Commission but feels the other requested changes should be held in abeyance until such time as it is proven they are needed. Councilman Swearingen would like to discuss each proposed change. Councilman Mackaig suggested the Council take a vote on each item as it is discussed. The approved items would then be included in the public hearing. Section 9148.06(a) - Definition for "Abandoned Sign" It was moved by Councilman Cormack, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and so ordered to eliminate the proposed change. Section 9148.06(aa) — Definition for "Outdoor Advertising or Billboard Sign" A discussion was held regarding the proposed change of wording in the last sentence from 20 percent to 40 percent. It was moved by Councilman Quinn, seconded by Councilman Mackaig, and so ordered to approve the 20 percent. Section 9148.08(c) - Prohibiting Signs that Rotate, Move, Glare, Flash, Reflect, or Blink It was moved by Councilman Swearingen to allow flashing and rotating signs so long as they do not interfere with traffic control devices or residential areas. Mr. Goggin commented that many times signs interfere with residential neighbor- hoods because of the strip zoning of the City and the fact that many of the businesses back up to residential property. Councilman Mackaig cannot see any problem allowing flashing signs for a business with small frontage on a building facing a major thoroughfare. Mr. Saunders stated the idea of the Sign Ordinance is to make signs easy to read, for everyone to see, without having a lot of competition. The motion was seconded by Councilman Mackaig. Council Minutes 12/29/80 (adj.) -1- 2�2 Mayor Jackman asked Mr. Goggin to rewrite this Section to see if something can be presented that is agreeable to everyone. As it is written now, he would vote against it because he objects to blinking lights. 08(f) - Signs painted on side and rear walls of buildings fences or other surfaces not permitted by this Chanter Mayor Jackman referred to the amount of signing on the Country Butcher. Councilman Swearingen indicated a sign on the side of a building is good identification for the business. Mr. Goggin commented that to allow signs on the side of a building would lose the effect of controlled signing. He said everyone should receive fair and equal treatment. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen to allow signs on the side and rear wall when the side area for the building does not exceed 1-3/4 square feet per lineal foot of building frontage. Mr. Goggin said this would be doubling the space. Councilman Swearingen then stated that whatever the allowable sign area is for the front of the building would have to be subtracted by the side area sign,,which would only be for identification. Councilman Mackaig questioned why his suggested wording of the Section would not be adequate. Councilman Quinn concurred with the wording suggested by Councilman Mackaig but feels the signs should not exceed 12 square feet each. Councilman Mackaig agreed. Mr. Goggin was asked to rewrite this Section, taking into account Councilman Mackaig's suggested wording and bring back to the Council. Mayor Jackman was excused from the meeting at 6:05 p.m. The chair was turned over to Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig. Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig declared a recess from 6:05 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. The meet- ing resumed with Council Members Swearingen, Mackaig, Quinn, Cormack present; Mayor Jackman was absent. Section 9148.08(i) - Flags, Banners, and Pennants Mr. Goggin explained there has been good compliance with this Section. Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig suggested giving new car dealers 30 days twice a year, or 60 days total, to fly banners for advertising new vehicles. Mr. Goggin asked that if Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig's suggestion is approved, can the Section be written to prohibit any extension over that period of time for the banners? It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig and seconded by Councilman Swearingen to grant flags, banners, and pennants for a total of 60 days per calendar year to any company that so desires. Section 9148.08(n) - Statuary Signs Mr. Goggin commented that although Bob's Big Boy statue is nice looking, it cannot be,separated from statues that are an eyesore. The status has not been erected at many of Bob's Big Boy new locations. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig, and so ordered to approve the Chamber of Commerce proposed change with the word "could" on the second line being changed to "shall." Section 9148.10(a)(3) - Window Signs Mr. Goggin described opaque painted windows. Councilman Swearingen fells a business should be permitted to use more than 20 percent of a window area for a sign. Council Minutes 12/29/80 (adj.) -2- Councilman Cormack does not care for opaqued windows. Councilman Quinn recommended opaque windows not be allowed. Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig concurred and would like to see the 20 percent temporary signs increased to 40 percent with a 30-day limitation. It was moved by Councilman Quinn and seconded by Councilman Swearingen to approve 30 percent four times a year, not to exceed 30 days at a time. Section 9148.10(a)(3)(i) - A recommended addition by staff regarding permanent window signs Councilman Quinn recommended two signs one foot by three foot be allowed in the windows to advertise a commodity. He would agree to three square feet computed into two signs. Following discussion, Councilman Quinn said the two signs should not total more than three square feet. Section 9148.16(a) - Signs for Used Car Lots. Mr. Goggin stated staff is currently working on this Section. Section 9148.16(b)(3) - Drive-in Businesses There being no objection, it was so ordered to delete the proposed change. Section 9148.14(c) - Door Signs The current code requirement was explained to the Council. The proposed changes were deleted. Section 9148.14(d) - Freestanding Signs Mr. Goggin said many of the freestanding signs, prohibit other merchants from being seen. It is felt that in order to eliminate sign clutter, the frontage should be increased on which to allow a pole sign so as to not obstruct another merchant. Councilman Swearingen indicated he will go along with 100 feet of frontage, but he is opposed to 150 feet. Councilman Quinn noted the clutter of pole signs on Firestone. Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig concurred with the 100 feet. Councilman Quinn would compromise at 125 feet. Councilman Swearingen would not approve 125 feet. Mr. Saunders commented on the problem of enforcement when the Code is changed. New pole signs requested for 100 foot frontages will have to wait until the Section is changed by the Council. Councilman Cormack was excused from the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig requested staff to come back with a change to 100 feet. Section 9148.14(g)(5) - Multiple Business Signs Mr. Goggin explained this Section for clarification. Section 9148.16(f) - Shopping Center Signs A discussion was held regarding what constitutes a shopping center. It was noted Stonewood is satisfied with its sign. Section 9148.20(b)(2) and (3) - Maintenance Mr. Goggin explained there have been no complaints regarding sign maintenance requirements. Compliance will improve appearance of signs in the City. Section 9148.20(c) - Minor Deviations Mayor Pro Tem Mackaig concurred with the Chamber of Commerce recommendation for 10 feet. Council Minutes 12/29/80 (adj.) -3- 6-7,:2 � Mr. Goggin feels this ,should be under the authority of the Planning Commission and not the City Planner. Councilmen Swearingen and Quinn also concurred with the 10 feet. Section 9148.24(a)(1) - Outdoor Advertising - Billboards, Location Mr. Goggin said attrition will not eliminate billboard signs because they are a permanent structure. The proposed change was deleted. Section 9148.26(a) - Compliances Nuisances and Abatement Mr. Goggin said the wording is favored by the City Attorney, and he then recommended no change. The Council concurred. The proposed change was deleted. Section 9148.26(c)(3)(ii) - Nonconforming and Illegal Signs Mr. Saunders suggested that to clarify any questions, staff can submit a list of the areas to be enforced and why they were selected. A discussion was held regarding the Chamber of Commerce proposed change con- cerning depreciation procedures permitted by the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Goggin will check with the IRS regarding the depreciation time period for a sign. As suggested by Mr. Saunders, it was moved by Councilman Quinn, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and ',passed by the following vote that staff enforce all sections of the Code on existing signs, excluding the nine sections proposed for change or review, and then on new signs, if they fall under'any of the nine sec- tions, that staff inform people what is occurring and that they will have to wait until after the Ordinance revision is adopted. AYES: 3 Council Members: Swearingen, Mackaig, Quinn ABSENT: 2 Council Members: Cormack, Jackman The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Je re Cook, Deputy C'ty Clerk Council Minutes 12/29/80 (adj.) -4-