From
Chris Hartmann
Title
Presentation on proposed amendments to Article 9 of the Unified Development Code, Sign Standards.
Presenter
David P. Jones, AICP, Chief City Planner
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
Article 9 of the Unified Development Code governs the design and construction of signage within the City. In response to Council's emphasis on improving the image of Grand Prairie, as well as recent legal challenges to municipal sign codes, several improvements to Article 9 have been developed by staff. These include revising the language of the code to be more content-neutral in order to protect the constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech and focusing heavily on the size, number, location, and visual appearance of signs rather than the uses to which they relate.
Also, there is a significantly stronger emphasis on visual aspects of the code with the revised code relying heavily on the use of images in addition to text. Several sign examples are included with each sign type, listing acceptable and not acceptable signs. There is more consistency in how each sign type is presented with each major sign type being addressed individually. This has the added benefit of insulating the ordinance against the rapidly-changing innovations in sign design, particularly when it comes to temporary signage.
Lastly, there are several signs which staff has identified as not conducive to developing Grand Prairie's image as a quality community, including pole signs, and several types of temporary signs which would be categorized as "attention-attracting devices" such as pen flags, streamers, and air dancers. New installations or uses of these sign types would be banned under the proposed code.
Based upon the Committee's recommendation and input from Chamber of Commerce and City Staff, a final draft is presented for consideration. If approved by the Committee, the proposal will be brought to Planning Commission and City Council for final approval in Sep...
Click here for full text