Item 8F AGENDA ITEM # 8F
SEPTEMBER 27, 2010
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Continued discussion of sign regulations related to temporary signs.
SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Doerr, AICP
Community Development Director
DATE: September 01, 2010
BACKGROUND: At the August 23rd meeting, the City Commission asked staff to provide language
for consideration that could allow temporary signs for businesses desiring to advertise grand openings,
special events, sales and the like. The Mayor also requested that such provision be limited to a one year
time period to allow for evaluation of the impact of these types of signs after a year.
Staff has drafted the following language, which could be added as an additional paragraph to Sec.17 -29
of City Code. Signs permitted within Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts. If directed to prepare
an ordinance, the enacting ordinance will contain a condition providing for one -year self expiration
unless renewed by action of the City Commission.
(f) Temporary signs. For the purpose of advertising special events such as grand openings, seasonal
and special sale events, a temporary Banner Sign may be used within non - residential Zoning
Districts for a single occurrence not to exceed fourteen (14) consecutive days in a calendar year,
subject to the following:
(1) Issuance of a Sign Permit and payment of the established fee shall be required.
(2) Only one such temporary Banner Sign is permitted per business.
(3) Temporary Banner Signs shall be rectangular in shape and shall not exceed twenty -four (24)
square feet in size.
(4) Such temporary Signs shall not be placed on or over any public property or right -of -way.
(5) Such temporary Signs shall not be placed in any location that in the determination of the
Chief of Police, creates a hazard to vehicles or pedestrians, and if placed in such a manner,
shall constitute cause for immediate removal by the City.
(6) The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to allow any type of Sign or advertising
device that is otherwise prohibited by Section 17 -42 of this Chapter.
In summary, this would allow a once per year use of a banner sign for a purpose at the business
owner's choosing for a period not longer than 14 days. If the Commission chooses to proceed with
this revision, Staff advises that any such temporary signs should be limited to a single use within a
calendar year. Allowing a business to use temporary signs numerous times during the year up to
some number of days would create a very difficult to manage permitting, tracking and monitoring
process for the City's limited code enforcement and administrative resources.
BUDGET: Undetermined Code Enforcement and other staff resources.
RECOMMENDATION: As previously stated, Staff does not believe that revisions to the sign
ordinance are in the best interest of the City.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
September 27, 2010 regular meeting