Taylorsville planning commission opposes easing rules to rebuild large nonconforming pylon signs

The Taylorsville Planning Commission voted 6-1 on Feb. 25 to forward a negative recommendation to the City Council on a proposed zoning text amendment that would allow large commercial centers to rebuild tall, multi-tenant pylon signs damaged or destroyed by acts of nature to their prior, nonconforming conditions.

Planner Terryne Bergeson told the commission the amendment (File 1Z25) was drafted after a pylon at Taylorsville Town Center toppled in high winds when its rusted support failed. Under current code, nonconforming structures damaged beyond 50% of market value must be brought into compliance; the draft would let pylon signs at commercial centers of seven acres or more be reconstructed to previously existing conditions if destroyed by calamity, provided property owners notify appropriate departments within 10 days and submit a building permit with plans showing the prior conditions. The draft also prohibits any increase in height, messaging method, or regulated sign area beyond what existed before the damage.

Bergeson said staff had analyzed eight shopping centers that could be affected, that most of the large centers’ signage dates from before the city’s 2012 standards and is therefore nonconforming, and that the application was initiated by the City. “One inquiry was received but no comment was submitted,” she said.

Commissioner Lynette Wendel opposed the change, saying allowing rebuilt nonconforming signs would undermine the purpose of the newer standards and could spread beyond shopping-center pylons. “If we allow nonconforming items to be rebuilt as nonconforming, where does it stop? Itis a ‘nonconforming can of worms,’” she said. Commissioner Don Quigley agreed the expectation when standards were updated was that replacements would meet current requirements.

Wendel moved to forward a negative recommendation; Commissioner David Wright seconded. The motion passed on a 6-1 vote: Chair Don Russell, Commissioner Cindy Wilkey, Commissioner David Wright, Commissioner Don Quigley, Commissioner Lynette Wendel, and Commissioner Gordon Willardson voted to forward the negative recommendation; Commissioner David Young voted no; Commissioner Marc McElreath was absent.

Staff had recommended the commission forward a positive recommendation to the City Council. The City Council is the final decision-making authority on the proposed amendment and will consider the commissionrecommendation at a future meeting.

The text amendment would change Taylorsville Municipal Code Sections 13.02.200 and 13.26.040 to allow reconstruction of certain pylon signs under the conditions described above and to set procedural timeframes for notification and permitting.