PZ 09/11/2013 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Commission/ Local Planning Agency September 11, 2013 Page 2 Fifth Item of Business: LPA 13 -07: Temporary Signs Continued. An ordinance amending Article XVI. Signs. to provide for definitions, reorganizing the Temporary Sign Section and provide for additional criteria. 0 Mr. Jason Sorensen, Planner I, reviewed the information provided in his memorandum dated September 11, 2013, to the City of Casselberry Planning and Zoning Commission (a copy is on file in the Community Development Department). Mr. Sorensen presented a PowerPoint presentation (a copy is attached and made a part of the minutes). Mr. Sorensen requested the Planning and Zoning Commission discuss the proposed changes and provide a favorable recommendation to the City Commission for LPA 13 -07 to amend the City of Casselberry Code of Ordinances, Part III, Unified Land Development Regulations, Article XVI, Signs, as provided in the ordinance attached as Exhibit A in the staff report dated September 11, 2013 and the City Attorney recommended changes outlined in the PowerPoint Presentation as well as any other changes discussed at tonight's meeting. In response to the Commission's question, Mr. Sorensen explained that in a residential district a maximum of 6 square feet of signage is allowed. He said both flags and political signs are included in that calculation. A general discussion ensued regarding excluding flags from the signage requirement. Ms. Robin McKinney, Assistant City Attorney, stated that case law states if you regulate content of signs you are subject to the "strict scrutiny standard ". She said allowing an exception for the display of the American Flag would eliminate the code from being considered content neutral. Ms. McKinney explained that the proposed changes to the sign code were intended to create a square footage limit on signage as opposed to regulating the type of sign. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the number of signs allowed on a residential property, display of various flags and attention getting devices, adding clarification to the setback determination, research exception options to the signage code during the political season, the differences between permanent and temporary flags on residential and commercial sites and commercial signage requirements. It was decided that flags would be defined and addressed under the permanent signage portion of the Code. In response to the Commission's question regarding violation of the sign code for events being held at the City Hall complex, Ms. Smith stated that she would contact the Parks and Recreation Division to discuss this matter. Ms. Smith explained that the Code Enforcement Division has been short staffed for almost a year. She said a second code officer has been hired and has recently started working on Saturday.