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EDC Minutes 2008 02-05-08 C United City of Yorkville -A 800 Game Farm Road ESUT 1836 Yorkville, Illinois 60560 -4 Telephone: 630-553-8545 4 _6 1 .— p Fax: 630-553-3436 Meeting Summary REVISING THE CITY'S SIGN REGULATIONS February 5, 2008 7:00-9:00 PM Yorkville City Hall City Council Chambers ATTENDEES: Chris Funkhouser, ZBA member; Rick Winninger, Action Graphix; Greg Mullen, Saint Joseph Cabinetry/Chamber of Commerce; Fred DuSell, resident; Cheryl Grate, Grate Signs, Inc.; Glenn Johnson, Tri-Land Properties; Mayor Valerie Burd, Yorkville; Kathy Farren, Kendall County Record; Mike Skinner, ZBA member; Jeff Baker, ZBA Chairman; Harold Oliver, HRM; Alderman Joe Plocher, Yorkville; Frank Willman, Willman and Groesh; Travis Miller, Yorkville staff. Discussion began at 7:00 pm. Travis Miller welcomed the attendees and gave a brief overview of the purpose and goals for the meeting. Miller explained the City Council is currently considering revising the sign regulations to improve the visual appearance of the City's signage. The purpose of the meeting is to present the regulation changes that are being proposed and obtain input from the group on these changes. During the discussion, several concerns were raised by the group including general concerns regarding sign regulation and specific concerns related to the proposed ordinance. The following concerns were raised: • Limitation of the free standing signage allowable on a comer lot to only one sign is too restrictive and may not be appropriate for most sites. • The effect that the ordinance/regulation will have on the readability of signage. The size of the sign should be dependant on the distance the sign is from the street. • The proposed ordinance uses lot frontage on the street to determine sign location - A question was raised about what signage would be allowed on lots without frontage on streets. • A question was raised about the status of existing signs that do not comply with the new sign regulations. Would they need to comply with the new sign regulations when they are repaired or replaced? • The landscape ordinance requirements need to be consistent with the sign ordinance requirements. There was some concern that the landscape requirements would require trees and shrubs that would block the visibility of business signage - particularly monument signage. • The measurement of the building fagade on unusual buildings such as silos, buildings with angled facades, etc. would create a problem in the proposed ordinance. • How the building fagade would be measured if there were one or two users in a four unit building isn't clear in the proposed ordinance. • Wall signage only being allowed on one side with a public entrance isn't appropriate on all buildings, or in all situations. The side most visible should be permitted to have a sign. • It was pointed out that there have been no studies prepared by any entity that support signs are a safety hazard to motorists. Smaller signs may actually be more of a safety hazard than larger signs. • The proposed ordinance requirement of 8 feet measured from the street level means that most signs will only be 2 or 3 feet high and will be visually blocked by vehicles or landscaping. This regulation may result in visual monotony. • Why aren't electronically changing signs permitted? • Be carefal not to increase the review process to have more steps, or committee approval requirements, that become a hardship/hindrance to commercial development/redevelopment. Recommendations from the discussion group: • Pole signs should not be permitted in the new ordinance /regulations. • More flexibility is needed for the height of free standing signage — don't simply make a maximum height requirement, which will lead to all signs being the same. • The aesthetics of the sign is the most important factor — focus on these issues in the regulation not size and dimensions. • Wall signage should be allowed on more than one side for buildings on corner lots or where the rear of the building was visible from a street. • Don't forget the economic reality of commercial locations in the 34 and 47 commercial corridors — signage is vital to the success of the retail/business community. • Do not rely on variances because it reduces consistency about what is allowed and what is not allowed. • Don't restrict signage type /size based on the business size. Small businesses need the promotion provided by signage, particularly the small (1,000 -2000 sq. ft). businesses more so than the `big box' retailers. • Changeable copy message boards are important to businesses. Technological advances in electronically changeable signs have been made in recent years and should be considered as permitted signage. • Create a different set of sign regulations, or an `overlay district' for the downtown area. Example, the Kendall Pub sign would not be permitted under the current code, yet very attractive and appropriate in this district. • The new ordinance needs to be used consistently for all development including PUD, development and annexation agreements. The new ordinance /regulation should clearly state this to avoid PUD's from `bypassing the system'. j • Incentives for replacing old signs should be considered and could include tax abatements and permit fee reductions. Retrofitting existing pole signs with pylons /masonry faces over the poles of existing signs should be encouraged in situations where total replacement isn't possible or feasible. A program to encourage, or provide financial assistance to these businesses should be considered. • Setbacks for signs should be in new sign ordinance. Aurora currently has setback requirements which could be modeled. • Performance standards should be evaluated and developed so that here are a clear set criteria for new signs to meet as well as a streamlined review process for approval. Next Steps: Staff will report the concerns and recommendations to the Economic Development Committee and continue to refine the draft sign ordinance with the input. Once comfortable with a recommendation, the EDC will forward an ordinance to City Council for consideration. This will likely occur April -May 2008 timeframe.