Planning and Zoning Commission backs text amendment to allow larger signage for new car dealers

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to forward a text amendment to the city council that would establish signage standards for new car dealerships that do not qualify for master sign plans.

Stephanie Moore, city planner, said the amendment would add a new subsection (405.95 j) to the zoning code and align sign-size allowances with other nonresidential uses. "This text amendment outlines allowances for wall signage, directional signs, and low monument signs for new car dealers that specifically do not meet the requirements for master signage plans," Moore said.

Kendall Hudson, representing Custom Facilities and the project’s builder for Spirit Lexus, told the commission the current ordinance "would not allow us to put in the proper branding that Lexus requires," citing limits on the number, size and location of signs for sites that do not meet master-plan thresholds. He described the applicant’s proposal as allowing two 50-square-foot wall signs per street-facing facade (two on a corner) plus one additional 50-square-foot sign to identify the service entrance, while leaving small directional signs unchanged.

Staff said the amendment would also allow a service-department wall sign and non-animated electric traffic-control signs above service bays to help direct customers. Moore said directional sign face areas would be slightly larger than under current rules but that determinations about specific directional sign needs would be left to the zoning administrator.

Commissioners asked whether changing master sign plan thresholds would be an alternative. Staff and the director of community development, Jason Jae, said the master sign plan process is intended for larger campuses and expanding it could unintentionally broaden allowances to other small uses; adding an additional dealership brand in the future would likely require a conditional-use-permit amendment.

A motion to recommend approval of the text amendment (application 24-031) was moved and seconded. Recorded "aye" responses were logged as commissioners’ names were called; the commission forwarded the amendment to the city council with a favorable recommendation. Staff announced the city council hearing is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13.

The commission also reviewed scheduling: the Jan. 6 regular meeting was canceled, a special meeting was set for Wednesday, Jan. 8, and members closed the body’s final meeting of the year.

Next steps: the text amendment will appear on the city council agenda on Jan. 13 for council consideration.