Dallas staff and committee back ordinance amendment to expand and unify Art District sign district

Staff presented a proposed amendment to expand and reset the Art District sign district boundaries and to fold several subdistricts into a single Art District sign special provision on June 17, 2025. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval.

According to staff materials, the proposal (referenced as SPSD 189/010 in the presentation) would incorporate the Chase Tower subdistrict and portions of the downtown special provision design district into an expanded Art District sign district and align provisions with the Dallas Artistic Connect Master Plan cited in staff materials as adopted by resolution 21-0290 on Jan. 27, 2021. Staff said the draft aims to eliminate multiple subdistricts with differing requirements (PD 145, PD 708 and the downtown SPSD) and create a single, clearer set of sign rules for the Art District and its extension areas.

Staff showed examples of allowed sign types and uses — including attached digital displays, district identification signs, facade-mounted tenant identity signs, awnings and integrated artful signs — and said the proposal intends to encourage artistic, compatible and functional signage while preventing clutter. Staff materials cited an Americans for the Arts report (Feb. 2023) estimating the district contributes about $340,000,000 in expenditures and supports roughly 5,920 jobs; staff used that and other material to frame the economic and cultural goals of the master plan.

Committee members discussed possible tradeoffs. One member said the original Art District ordinance had intentionally been restrictive to reduce visual clutter and expressed concern about opening a "Pandora's box" of excessive signage; others emphasized the need to make it easier for businesses to obtain appropriately scaled signs so restaurants and retail can attract foot traffic. Staff said existing signs would be grandfathered but that modifications or new signage after the change would have to comply with the updated rules; digital sign limits and other restrictions would remain in the draft.

Several members said they supported unification of the subdistricts to create clearer, more consistent review standards. A committee member asked whether commissioners had to sign the initiating application; staff said the initiating application was submitted by an authorized hearing and had been initiated previously by Commissioner Kingston and Commissioner Blair (no signatures were required at the meeting).

The committee moved to approve the staff recommendation. Murphy moved to approve; Todd seconded. The roll-call vote recorded Todd, Murphy, Commissioner Hall and the Vice Chair voting in favor; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff noted the plan had been through prior steps, including a commission action in July 2023 referenced in the presentation, and that next steps will follow the city's ordinance amendment process.