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Council discusses Arc of Adams County request for off‑site sign; staff advised to seek alternatives
Summary
The Arc of Adams County asked to place a sign on city property to make its administrative offices visible from Washington Street. Planning staff and the city attorney said the Unified Development Ordinance does not permit the off‑site sign; council asked staff to explore wayfinding or code options and other alternatives.
Council members on March 10 discussed a request from the Arc of Adams County to place a sign on a city fence at the intersection of 112th Avenue and Washington Street to make the nonprofit’s administrative offices easier to find.
Economic development staff introduced the request and said the Arc’s parcel does not have a visible frontage on Washington after redevelopment of the adjacent site removed the organization’s original signage. Jeff Althouse, an Arc board member, told council the lack of visible signage has made the administrative office difficult for volunteers and the people the Arc serves to locate. “We are a nonprofit attempting to protect not only Adams County residents, but Northglenn residents specifically,” Althouse said. “I’m asking the city to be a partner with our organization as we try to better assist those in need.”
Staff told council the requested off‑site sign would conflict with the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 11), which generally prohibits off‑site signage. City Attorney Corey Hoffman advised against approving a license agreement that would explicitly allow a sign that the current UDO forbids. Hoffman recommended staff explore alternatives such as wayfinding signage on city property or a narrow code amendment rather than granting an exception by license.
Council members expressed support for finding a practical solution. Some suggested a limited wayfinding sign or pursuing a code change; others asked staff to study alternatives including potential relocation incentives or other visibility solutions for the Arc. Director of Economic Development Allison Lisonbee Moding said the property’s developers had previously been asked about including the Arc on a monument sign but the monument sign did not materialize because there was insufficient space on the redeveloped parcel.
No formal approval or license agreement was granted at the meeting. Staff were directed to research potential alternatives and return with recommendations. Several council members said they wanted staff to “turn over every rock” to arrive at a legal, effective option that would restore visibility for the nonprofit without creating an impermissible precedent under the existing sign code.
