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City of Homer
Planning & Zoning
491 East Pioneer Avenue Fax (907) 235-3118
Homer, Alaska 99603-7645 E-mail Planning@ci.homer.ak.us
Web Site www.ci.homer.ak.us
MEMORANDUM 09-119
FROM: Rick Abboud City Planner, Julie Engebretsen, Planning Technician
DA
SUBJ: Ordinance 09-47 Amending the Sign Code
The Homer Advisory Planning Commission conducted a public hearing to amend the sign code on September 2, 2009, and recommended the City Council approve it. The ordinance was then sent to the attorney for review, and lastly forwarded to the City Council. The ordinance simplifies the sign code, by reducing the types of signs that must be approved by a public hearing, and removes the requirement for a new public hearing and approval every five years thereafter.
GENERAL INFORMATION
This ordinance amends the definition of a public sign, removes the requirement that a public sign permit be valid for a limit of five years (or less) and removes the requirement to renew the permit through the public hearing process.
It has come to staff’s attention with the recent library sign proposal that the public sign requirements in the city code are difficult to work with. For example, only one public sign is allowed on a lot. Therefore, the freestanding library sign installed on the corner of Hazel and Heath Street is the only sign allowed on the whole lot. There can’t even be a sign at the main door stating anything about the library. The ordinance changes the sign regulations for public buildings so they are the same as for private businesses.
The ordinance amends the definition of what is a public sign by removing reference to schools, playgrounds and public facilities. Directional signs for parts of town will still be considered public signs. For example, if the old town business owners wanted to put a sign on the Sterling Highway directing visitors to old town, they could do so with a public sign permit. The current code limits the approval for such a sign to five years or less. After five years, the business owners would have to reapply through the public hearing process to renew the permit. Staff does not think it’s a good use of staff or commission time to track permits for five years and then go through the application process again. There are provisions in code for removal of abandoned signs, and for enforcement the sign code, if there are violations.
Recommendation: Approve Ordinance 09-47, amending the sign code.