-----Original Message-----
From: Henry McClure <mcre@cox.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2019 7:28 PM
To: 'Bill Fiander' <bfiander@Topeka.org>
Subject: RE: Sign Code Update
From: Henry McClure <mcre@cox.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2019 7:28 PM
To: 'Bill Fiander' <bfiander@Topeka.org>
Subject: RE: Sign Code Update
Thanks so much.
Why two years? This like a toothache that we wait 2 year
before going to the dentist.
Will the council take public comment?
H
Henry,
PC recommended
unanimous approval 9-0 after several amendments. The big one for you is that
portable signs would be phased out after 2 years, must get a permit, no
illumination, and be limited to two 30 day periods a year. Existing portable
signs would have to get a permit which is good for 12 months (current rule)
before adhering to the new rules.
Should go to
Council in July/August.
Bill Fiander,
AICP
Planning &
Development Director
City of Topeka
On May 25, 2019,
at 9:28 PM, "mcre@cox.net<mailto:mcre@cox.net>" <mcre@cox.net<mailto:mcre@cox.net>> wrote:
CAUTION: This
email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open
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What was the
recommendation
Sent: Wednesday,
May 15, 2019 8:20 AM
Subject: Sign
Code Update
Greetings!
The Topeka
Planning and Development Department wanted to bring you up to speed on the
status of the City’s new Sign Code proposal that is going to the Topeka
Planning Commission for a public hearing next Monday, May 20th at 6:00 PM in
the City Council Chambers.
Below you will
find more info related to the proposal and the agenda. Please forward to
anybody you think would be interested in reviewing and/or offering testimony to
the Planning Commission (PC) as they are anticipated to make a recommendation
to the Governing Body for their consideration.
The new sign
code has been in the works for 18 months with the PC and would be the first
comprehensive update of its kind in 50 years. A major impetus behind the new
code is the need to improve the City’s visual appeal which came out of the
Momentum 2022 report. Another impetus was the recent U.S. Supreme Court
decision that only allows localities to dictate time, place, and manner
requirements of signs, not their content. Also, newly adopted Downtown sign
standards with these aims in mind laid a foundation to continue those best
practices city-wide.
The new code is
shaped by extensive public input via a “visual appeal survey” (964 responses,
386 written comments), 2 major public meetings, extensive committee meetings of
local sign industry/business representatives, legal sign code experts, and best
practices from other cities. Major recommendations to the Planning Commission
include:
*
Maximum sign size would generally be proportional to the size of the
building/property instead of a one size fits all approach.
*
Discrepancies in height/size limits between zoning districts would be
softened to make sign standards more uniform across all zoning districts.
*
Commercial zoning districts would see reduced size and height limits except
along highway intersections and large shopping/commerce centers. Non-commercial
areas/uses would see more relaxed standards.
* All
new freestanding signs must be of a monument-style. New pole signs would not be
permitted (except along highway intersections).
* All
temporary signs would be accommodated except portable message center signs
(e.g., “arrow signs”).
*
Abandoned signs would be subject to removal.
*
Existing signs made non-conforming by the new code could continue
without a sunset; any changes to their size would trigger partial or full
compliance with new code
The full
proposal to the PC can be found in their agenda packet<https://s3.amazonaws.com/cot-wp-uploads/wp-content/uploads/planning/PlanningCommission/2019MayPCAgendaPacket.pdf>.
Just the presentation of the proposal can be viewed here<https://s3.amazonaws.com/cot-wp-uploads/wp-content/uploads/planning/SignCodeUpdate/Handbook-Draft.pdf>. All info on the sign code update
process can be found at https://www.topeka.org/planning/visual-code-update .
Questions about
the proposal can be addressed to Mike Hall (Project Manager) mghall@topeka.org<mailto:mghall@topeka.org> or Bill Fiander (Department Director) bfiander@topeka.org<mailto:bfiander@topeka.org>.
Thank you for
your time!
You are
receiving this email because you are part of the City of Topeka Planning &
Development Department email list. If you would like to be removed from this
list, please respond saying “remove”.
Sent by:
Kris Wagers
City of Topeka
Planning & Development Department
620 SE Madison,
Unit 11
Topeka KS 66607
