City of Lawrence

Neighborhood Resources Department

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:

Mike Wildgen, City Manager

 

THRU:

Victor Torres, Neighborhood Resources Director

 

FROM:

Barry Walthall, Codes Enforcement Manager

 

Date:

May 11, 2005

 

The sign code includes specific provisions for the permitting of signs on commercial buildings and properties however in cases where a storefront wall does not face or front onto a public right-of-way in C-1, C-2, PCD-1 and PCD-2 districts the code is silent.  At the April 7, 2005 Sign Code Board of Appeals meeting the Board considered the following text amendment to the sign code:

 

5-739.2(D)(2) Wall signs are permitted for each wall which fac­es or fronts onto a public right-of-way and such sign is attached to the corresponding wall, ex­cept that no wall sign shall be permitted upon any wall other than the front wall which faces or fronts onto a public right-of-way which such pub­lic right-of-way is bounded on the opposite side by properly zoned single-family dwellings.  Wall signs are permitted in C-1, C-2, M-1, PCD-1, PCD-2 and PID zoning districts on building walls which do not face or front an adjoining and abutting public right-of-way, when there exists under the same ownership a parking lot or other open space of at least fif­ty (50) lineal feet between the wall and the nearest building, but in no case shall signs be constructed on more than two (2) walls of a building for each establishment, nor exceed the square footage limitations for the location.

 

The proposed text amendment will allow each establishment within a building in these zoning districts to erect wall signs on two walls of a building, providing the walls face or front onto a public right-of-way, or face or front open space under the same ownership of at least fifty lineal feet between the wall and the nearest building.  This amendment may allow building signage on more than two walls, but each establishment would be limited to two walls.  There would be no increase in the allowable sign area.

 

The Board voted unanimously to forward the proposed text amendment to the City Commission, with the Board’s recommendation for approval.  Attached are the approved minutes of the March 3 and April 7 Board meetings.  Reference item 5 of the March minutes and item 7 of the April minutes.

 

Action Item: Direct staff to prepare draft ordinance adopting text amendment, if appropriate.