Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission forwards sign-code cleanup; excludes pedestal signs from neighborhood commercial
Summary
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward proposed amendments to Chapter 19.18 (sign regulations) to City Council, consolidating duplicate language and clarifying ancillary signs; it added a condition that pedestal signs not be allowed in neighborhood commercial zones even on parcels larger than 7 acres.
The Planning Commission on May 29 voted unanimously to send proposed amendments to Chapter 19.18 (sign regulations) of the Saratoga Springs Land Development Code to City Council, consolidating overlapping signage standards and clarifying terminology.
Planner Joel Temple presented the city-initiated amendment, saying the change removes duplicated language for neighborhood commercial and consolidates sign standards so neighborhood commercial, community commercial and regional commercial follow the same rules. The draft also standardizes terminology (using “ancillary” instead of “secondary” signs) and relocates a provision that allows a third building sign for developments that qualify for a monument sign into the main building-sign section to reduce confusion.
A key policy choice for the commission involved pedestal signs (tall multi-tenant signs like those found at large shopping centers). The draft would allow pedestal signs in commercial zones where properties meet a minimum acreage threshold. Commissioners discussed whether neighborhood commercial parcels should ever host 20-foot pedestal signs, even if the parcel exceeds the acreage threshold.
Commissioner discussion and condition Commissioner Wheldon and others asked planners to clarify where pedestal signs would remain allowed. Planner Temple noted pedestal signs are only feasible on parcels greater than 7 acres and that, under the city’s zoning map, only a limited set of parcels would qualify. After discussion the commission attached a condition: pedestal signs shall not be allowed in the neighborhood commercial zone, even on parcels greater than 7 acres.
Formal action The commission voted to forward the sign-code amendments to City Council with the staff findings and conditions and with an added condition that pedestal signs shall not be allowed in the neighborhood commercial zone in any case. The motion passed unanimously.
Implementation and next steps The amendments will proceed to City Council for legislative consideration. If Council adopts the changes, staff said existing signs permitted under current rules would remain where legally established; the amendment applies prospectively to new permits and applications.
