Small victories were won tonight at the P&Z workshop with regard to the proposed sign code, but there are still more battles ahead. Tonight’s meeting was a workshop for the City Planner and Planning and Zoning. Here is a synopsis of what transpired and what I heard P&Z will recommend to the City Council. I am only highlighting changes from the last draft that was proposed. (If you would like a copy of the last draft, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment and I will see that you get one.)

Definition of Sign Height – To be measured from lowest adjacent grade to highest point of sign structure. This will help out where signs are below the grade of the road but not if you have your sign on a burm or hill.

Sign Districts- Allowance for presenting a “Master Sign Plan” to the Design Review Committee has been added. If you make your case it could result in less or more stringent sign criteria than identified in a specific sign district. Too subjective, but at least there is a provision to persuade the Committee. (More about sign districts below.)

Exempt Signs (no permit required)- Flags have been added to this with the stipulation that they are not more than 40 sq ft per parcel.

Wall sign or freestanding sign (not both) – P&Z is not supporting this. However they do want to limit the size and height of free-standing and wall signs.

Adaptive Signs (Electronic Message Centers) - Recommending 10 second static message and must be minimum of 300′ from any other EMC. 300′ from nearest existing EMC is prejudicial and a real problem. Some of the Committee members recognized this, but others felt like this was the only way to control the number of EMC’s.

Billboards – Cap number allowed in city at existing number. May be relocated by Design Review Committee approval, primarily in sign district #5. Adaptable (EMC’s) not allowed.

Directional Signs – Allowed off-premise and on premise. 8 sq. ft. maximum. One per 300′ and must be within 300′ of property directing towards. The 300′ restriction in both instances will still be a problem for many G.C. businesses that are off the beatin’ path.

Projecting Signs – Can swap out in exchange for wall sign. 8′ minimum height above sidewalk and projection restrictions apply. Not a very viable alternative to most areas in Garden City as projecting signs are used mainly in urban, walking areas such as Hyde Park, Bodo, etc.

Multi-Tenant Signs (Free-standing Center Signs) - Lettering must be minimum of 4″ in height.

Non-conforming Signs – Can remain if no changes are made to the sign or if not more than 25% in property improvements. There are a few more conditions that I wasn’t able to write down, but these are the main two.

Sunset Clause for Non-conforming Signs - Staff and P&Z recommend removing.

Violations for Erecting Sign Without Permit – Misdemeanor, except temporary signs would be infraction.

In addition to my remarks in italics above, the items below still need to be addressed as they are not business friendly and will devalue commercial and industrial property over time. These items were not brought up in the meeting and will require the business community to come to the public meeting and speak out against them.

• Loss of height and sq. ft in both wall signs and free-standing signs -  from 30%-70% reduction from what is currently allowed and way below what is allowed in Boise and Meridian. Unfortunately, the Committee believes that sign sizes need to be reduced considerably. The comparison chart that was presented to them by the City Planner showing Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and Garden City allowances is far from correct. This chart gives the appearance that the proposed sizes are not that far off from adjacent cities. An accurate chart that was completed by a sign company professional was presented to the Commission in December ’09, and needs to be resubmitted to them again at the next public meeting.
• Adaptive Signs (Electronic Message Centers) – Allowed to be only 30% of total sign sq. ft. Not a lot of sq. ft. considering the restrictive overall sign sq. ft. Boise allows up to 75% of sign to be EMC.
• Promotional Signs – Allowed to exhibit only 30 days per calendar year and require permit. Meridian has seen fit to allow for 120 days per calendar year, recognizing that business needs more promotional time in this economic climate.
• Sign Districts – Many businesses have been put into residential-type districts, while they are clearly not. This will limit their sign height and sq. ft. as well as sign lights will have to be turned off at close of business or by 10 P.M.

Please feel free to leave your comments and check back here often for updates on meetings and progress on this crucial issue. And PLEASE come to the next public meeting to speak out on the areas of the sign code that will affect you and your business concerns.