Planning board recommends broader downtown sign options and 10-square-foot permit exemption
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Summary
The Jacksonville Planning Advisory Board voted to forward a package of sign-code changes that would consolidate downtown sign rules into Article 5.12, allow additional wall sign types, add a 10-square-foot permit exemption at primary entrances and raise projection sign size from 20 to 50 square feet.
The Jacksonville Planning Advisory Board voted Jan. 12 to recommend that city council adopt a set of amendments to downtown sign regulations that staff says will make rules easier to find and provide downtown businesses greater signage flexibility.
Ryan, presenting the proposal, said the amendments would move all sign regulations to Article 5.12, expand permitted sign types on secondary facades beyond current channel-set lettering, and create a new permit exemption allowing up to 10 square feet of signage at a primary entrance without a permit if standards are met. "It's gonna double the amount that you can have at the front door and it's also gonna eliminate the permit requirement provided that you meet those standards," Ryan said.
The draft also proposes increasing the allowable projection sign size from 20 square feet to 50 square feet. "We wanted to bump that up. 50 may not be, but we thought that that more than doubling it would be at least a good starting point," Ryan said. He added staff relocated lighting and electronic message-board provisions to a consolidated prohibitions section.
Stakeholder engagement informed the draft: Lisa Marshburn of 910 Signs told the board she and sign vendors had met with staff and business owners and were working with city staff to refine downtown sign language. "We've been working since the last council meeting talking about downtown signage only currently," Marshburn said.
Board members asked about comparables and illumination. Ryan said representatives at the Dec. 3 stakeholder meeting referenced New Bern's approach and clarified that the revised Attachment A allows internally or indirectly illuminated signs depending on the specifics in the slip sheet.
Chair moved the recommendation to council; Grace seconded. The board approved the recommendation by voice vote. The items will go to city council for public hearing on Jan. 20.
