Agenda Date: 06/09/2025
Subject:
Title
PC Resolution 04-2025: Recommending approval to city council of a code text amendment to Title 10, the Unified Land Use Code related to Master Sign Plan.
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Prepared by: |
Jerad Chipman, Planning Manager |
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Presentations: |
Jerad Chipman, Planning Manager |
PURPOSE:
Planning commission review and recommendation to city council for revisions to Title 10, the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) related to Master Sign Plan.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
High Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
When the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) was adopted on October 18, 2021, it included several subsections indicating the intent to have Master Sign Plan (MSP) regulations. Those sections have were marked as reserved within the initial adoption of the ULUC. These reservations resulted in a gap within the ULUC for multi-parcel and campus environments. The existing sign regulations contemplate signage for individual parcels; however, it does not address signage for larger sites, which staff believes were envisioned to be addressed by the MSP subsections. Staff is proposing a text amendment that would address the reserved MSP susbsections in the ULUC and provide regulations for these larger sites.
BACKGROUND:
The proposed text amendment creates two new sections and amends four existing sections of the ULUC. The two new sections are the standards set forth in Subsec. 10-1-3.10.G Master Sign Plan and the administration standards in Subsec. 10-9-5.9 Master Sign Plan. The four sections that are proposed to be amended are Subsec. 10-1-3.10.B Sign Allowance and Prohibitions, Section 10-3-5.1 CMU Sign Types and Standards, Section 10-5-5.1 BI Sign Types and Standards, Section 10-9-3.9 Development Review Summary.
Newly Proposed Code Sections:
Subsec. 10-1-3.10.G Master Sign Plan
Creates the parameters of a proposed plan. This section includes provisions pertaining to the purpose, applicability, and standards.
Purpose: Establishing regulations that allow for a comprehensive design within a subject property.
1. Consistent with the city’s design standards;
2. Adhere to development’s design guidelines if applicable;
3. Promote economic development;
4. Contribute positively to the built environment;
5. Align with zoning and land use regulations;
6. Balance aesthetic consistency; and
7. Ensure regulatory compliance and functionality.
Applicability: Permitted for multi-parcel sites and campus environments that are a minimum of ten acres in CM, BC, and IP zone districts.
Attached signs within an MSP are proposed to follow the CM sign standards regardless of the zoning district with the following exceptions:
The maximum allowed wall sign area for a building façade that fronts a Commercial Corridor or Suburban Connector is either 40 square feet or 1 square foot for every 1.5 linear feet of the building’s façade, whichever is larger. The current sign code allows for a maximum of 32 square feet or 1 square foot for every 1.5 linear feet of the building’s façade, whichever is larger.
The maximum allowed wall sign area per each wall sign shall be 300 square feet for a building façade that is located more than 200 feet from a Commercial Corridor or Suburban Connector, and for buildings over 100,000 square feet. Currently, the sign code allows for a maximum of a 200 square foot wall signs.
Freestanding signs within an MSP are proposed to follow the CM sign standards regardless of the zoning district with the following exceptions:
Multi-parcel signs. The current code does not envision a sign that provides wayfinding for an area that includes more than one parcel. This section of the proposed update would allow those signs in the format of a pylon or monument sign. They are proposed to be allowed adjacent to an entrance into the subdivision or campus, or at the intersection of two streets with classifications of Commercial Corridor or Suburban Connector. The signs should be separated from one another by 600 feet or a public right-of-way. The maximum height is proposed to be per the CM standards with the exception that the height is not tied to the adjacent building. No electronic signs are allowed except for numeric digits.
If an MSP is approved, all individual parcels within the subject property would only be allowed a monument sign per Table 10-3-5.1.3 CMU Freestanding Sign Standards.
Subsec. 10-9-5.9 Master Sign Plan
Creates administrative provisions that outline decision criteria and procedures.
Proposed Code Amendments to Existing Sections:
Subsec. 10-1-3.10.B Sign Allowance and Prohibitions
Creates new exemption sign standards for Building Wayfinding Signs, and Drive-Thru Menu Boards.
Building Wayfinding Signs would allow for entry signs not larger than ten square feet and service entrance signs for buildings over 60,000 square feet. The maximum proposed service entrance sign is thirty-two square feet.
The proposed Drive-Thru Menu Boards provision allows for a primary and secondary drive-thru sign per drive-through lane and that those drive-thru signs can be electronic.
Section 10-3-5.1 CMU Sign Types and Standards
Removes the “Reserved” note from the Master Sign Plan notation and replaces it with a reference to Subsec. 10-1-3.10.G.
Section 10-5-5.1 BI Sign Types and Standards
Removes the “Reserved” note from the Master Sign Plan notation and replaces it with a reference to Subsec. 10-1-3.10.G.
Section 10-9-3.9 Development Review Summary
Creates a process within the Development Review Summary Table that indicates a pre-application meeting is required and the review and decision is conducted by the Community Development Director.
Prior Actions or Discussions
• At the February 24, 2025 Planning Commission study session, the commission provided input into the Master Sign Plan concept.
• At the March 11, 2025 joint City Council/Planning Commission study session, staff discussed the scope of the Master Sign Plan concept.
• At the April 28, 2025 Planning Commission study session, staff gave a presented and received feedback on specific code provision to be finalized in the text of the Master Sign Plan amendment.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of PC Resolution 04-2025, recommending approval to city council of a code text amendment to Title 10, the Unified Land Use Code regarding Master Sign Plans.
ALTERNATIVES:
The planning commission may choose to recommend approval, approval with revisions, or rejection of the code amendment.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve PC Resolution 04-2025, recommending city council approve a code text amendment to Title 10, the Unified Land Use Code, regarding Master Sign Plans.
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REFERENCES:
See attached PC Resolution 04-2025, which includes the draft text amendment language.