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City staff present draft sign‑code, nonconforming‑use and small wind updates; planning commission review set to follow
Summary
Development staff summarized a package of zoning code updates—new sign code layout and exemptions, clarified nonconforming‑use rules, and proposed updates for small private wind turbines—and told council the drafts are ready for planning commission review and eventual adoption.
City planning staff presented draft updates to the zoning code for three topic areas—sign code, nonconforming uses/structures/site improvements, and small private wind energy systems—at the March 17 work session and asked the council whether to proceed to formal review and adoption steps.
A staff speaker (identifying himself as a code update lead) said the sign‑code draft was designed to be content‑neutral, to consolidate regulations by zoning district onto single pages, to clarify permitted temporary and permanent signs, and to set new standards for projecting signs downtown. He said the drafts include exemptions for small or directional signs and simplify permitting for temporary signage by regulating size and placement rather than requiring a permit for every temporary banner. For downtown projecting signs the draft increases the allowable projecting‑sign area for qualifying corner or wide buildings to 50 square feet (present rules were described as smaller); in the highway business district staff proposed increasing allowable sign height (from 25 to 35 feet in the draft) while in some commercial districts staff recommended lowering extreme square‑footage limits that resemble billboard allowances. The presenter cautioned the regulations are drafts and asked council for feedback before forwarding to planning commission.
On nonconforming uses and structures, staff proposed rules to protect long‑standing lawful uses and structures without launching proactive enforcement. The draft would allow continued use, ordinary maintenance and repair, and limited renovation, but if a nonconforming building is damaged beyond 60% of fair market value it would be required to be rebuilt to current standards. Staff also described a registration process for older multi‑unit buildings in single‑family districts so the city has a record of those lawful, longstanding uses.
For small private wind energy systems staff said current code uses a strict 1:1 setback ratio that effectively required very large setbacks. The draft reduces that burden by requiring that turbine blades not cross property lines and that the rotor plane be at least 10 feet from adjacent property lines, locate turbines toward the back of lots and include technical/operational requirements (e.g., automatic shutdowns under icing or unsafe conditions) as appropriate. Staff noted airport and FAA constraints would continue to apply in airport overlay zones.
Council members asked for clarifications about sidewalk signs, downtown amenities (lights, benches and trees) and the planning/engineering review process. Staff said the code revisions were developed with input from business owners, sign contractors, the downtown business association and the Planning and Zoning Commission and that staff intends to present the drafts to the Planning and Zoning Commission for formal review and recommendation to council. Several council members signaled support for proceeding to Planning and Zoning for further vetting.
Ending: Staff will take the drafts to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review, then return to council for adoption; engineering and planning staff will handle public‑realm and sidewalk permit issues case‑by‑case as needed.
