Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board recommends changes to sign code; asks staff to refine numeric limits on sign heights, temporary signs
Summary
The board unanimously recommended approval of a broad rewrite of Greenacres’ sign regulations (ZTA 25-04) but asked staff to return with refined numeric limits on freestanding sign heights, size of electronic displays and temporary noncommercial sign timeframes; staff said election-period timing may be expedited to meet statutory deadlines.
The Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals on April 10 voted unanimously to recommend the city’s proposed rewrite of signage regulations, ZTA 25-04, while asking staff to return with refined numeric limits for several elements before the city council takes final action.
Staff described ZTA 25-04 as a comprehensive update to the sign code to improve clarity, modernize master sign plan procedures, revise temporary-sign rules and address nonconforming signs and amortization. The packet and staff presentation noted that a 2022 change left many existing freestanding signs nonconforming and that the city’s current maximum for most freestanding signs is 8 feet, while planned commercial developments allowed taller signs under older provisions. Staff proposed a tiered approach that would vary allowable sign height by zoning district, frontage and parcel size rather than a single one-size limit.
Millie Rivera, planner, reviewed examples of existing conditions — freestanding and pylon signs at shopping centers that exceed current maximums — and said staff is considering triggers tied to lot frontage and road type to determine appropriate heights for multi-tenant plazas versus single-tenant outparcels. Staff said changeable electronic copy signs could be allowed in CI zoning with a proposed cap (staff cited a working figure of 12 square feet in the draft language, still under review) and that the amortization period passed in 2022 currently requires existing nonconforming signs to come into conformance by Sept. 20, 2027.
Board members raised concerns about visibility for drivers on faster roads, business impacts and enforcement costs for property owners, and several members said an 8-foot maximum for multi-tenant centers felt too low. The board also debated whether year-round allowances for temporary noncommercial signs (for yards) should remain; staff clarified that the prior “year-round” language had been interpreted ambiguously and the intent of the proposed change is to allow short-term celebratory signs while preventing year-round sign clutter. Staff said the election-period temporary sign window will be adjusted to 45 days to align with electoral timelines and that the election portion of the package may need to be advanced sooner to meet statutory timing.
After discussion staff asked the board to move forward with a recommendation supporting the overall concepts while directing staff to return with firm numeric limits for freestanding sign heights, the size/copy area for electronic changeable signs, and the temporary noncommercial sign timing and frequency. The board voted unanimously to recommend the zoning text amendment to the council with that understanding.
Staff said they will continue analysis, meet with property owners and prepare ordinance language; the council will receive a formal ordinance and staff recommendation for final action.
