Council approves sign-area and height-limit code changes, and advances Newport Commons rezoning

Council approved a text amendment to the zoning code that would eliminate a cap on the number of signs per building wall while increasing a maximum sign area allowance for large buildings (staff and planning commission recommended raising the per-wall cap from 200 to 400 square feet with alternatives to allow 5% of wall area in some cases). Planning staff noted that digital-sign rules remain unchanged.

Separately, planning director Jonathan Buono presented a text amendment to raise maximum height in the General Commercial (GC) district from 50 to 60 feet when a 200-foot setback from residential lots is provided and to add a defined exemption for occupiable rooftop amenities (with a 15-foot height limit above the roof line and a step-back ratio to minimize bulk). Staff and planning commission recommended the change and council approved first reading.

In old business, council passed third reading for Case 25-17 (Newport Commons PD/G C rezoning) with amendments including zero minimum side setbacks for certain townhome units in exchange for 20-foot building separations, allowances for on-street guest parking to satisfy guest parking requirements, and a 50-foot perimeter buffer with replanting requirements if disturbed. Council discussed planting densities and confirmed the buffer corresponds to a Type C 50-foot buffer yard under county standards.

What happens next: the sign and height amendments move to subsequent readings as required; the Newport Commons rezoning is approved with the listed proffers.