Council approves first reading of sign‑code amendment to ease nonconforming sign treatment

The City Council approved first reading of Ordinance 2025‑10, a city‑initiated zoning text amendment that revises the municipal sign code to clarify nonconforming sign rules, master sign plan provisions and lighted sign standards.

Assistant Director of Development and Neighborhood Services (Mister Galliard) told the council the amendment moves planned‑commercial sign criteria into the sign regulations, clarifies that monument signs that are nonconforming only because of height may remain unless they trigger a special exception or a major site plan amendment (or work exceeding 50% of structure value), and replaces references to administrative variances with a council‑approved waiver process tied to master sign plans.

Galliard said the updates respond to feedback from plaza owners and business stakeholders who faced an amortization schedule from a 2022 code change that would have required many signs to be lowered to 8 feet; the revision allows increased visibility while preserving design standards and conformance triggers. The amendment also includes criteria for LED or lighted signs under master sign plans.

The council opened the item for the public hearing and received no public comments. Councilmember questions focused on compliance timelines and lighted signage standards; staff pointed to details on pages 11–12 of the ordinance and summarized coordination with planning and sign contractors. On a motion by Mr. Noble and second, the council approved the ordinance on first reading by unanimous vote.

Because this was the first reading, the ordinance will return for a subsequent reading before final adoption.