Commissioners discuss permanent signs and interactive zoning map as staff weigh costs and design

Board members discussed the potential for new, permanent informational signage at City Hall and elsewhere, and the status of the city’s online interactive zoning map during a discussion item Thursday.

Commissioner Buffalini proposed installing a larger, permanent LED-style sign near City Hall for announcements and events rather than relying on portable message boards. “If we were able to put something a little bit more permanent… a sign LED board like that,” she said, asking staff to explore options.

Several commissioners urged caution and a design-first approach tied to the city’s forthcoming zoning ordinance updates. Commissioner Roberts said the appearance and cost matter and suggested waiting for the new zoning rules to inform sign design and placement. Roberts also noted LED displays can be expensive and asked for consolidated budgeting of sign projects.

Vice Mayor McDonald raised the city’s interactive zoning map, telling the board the online map was currently down because the one-year contract lapsed. Planning staff said the vendor’s new proposal represented an increase of about $5,000 over last year’s cost. “The increase in cost went up by about $5,000 between last year's cost to operate the map and this year's cost,” Ethan Greer said, and staff are negotiating to reduce the vendor’s proposed increase. Greer said the prior contract ran a bit over $7,000.

Commissioners asked staff to seek options that control costs while restoring public access to parcel zoning data. Staff said they would continue negotiations and report back with price options and recommendations.

No binding decisions or appropriations were made at the meeting; commissioners asked staff for cost estimates, design guidance tied to the zoning ordinance update and possible package options for a coordinated sign program.