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Commission recommends architectural design and sign‑measurement code changes to council
Summary
The commission voted to recommend several code amendments to City Council: codifying architectural design guidelines across zoning texts and changing the method for measuring wall signs from an enclosing rectangle to the perimeter of lettering and emblems to avoid counting unused background area.
Planning staff presented proposed code amendments to codify existing architectural design guidelines (DGRs) across the zoning code and to revise Section 11‑69‑008 to change how wall signs are measured. Under the proposed sign change, the city would measure the perimeter of letters, numbers and emblems rather than an enclosing rectangle that includes blank space. Staff said the change responds to recent Board of Zoning Appeals decisions and will reduce the need for variances based on "dead" background area.
Commissioners raised questions about city‑wide applicability and possible unintended effects, particularly in village‑center and downtown areas. Staff and the VCA representative said height and maximum area limits remain in place and that the amendment primarily affects how existing limits are calculated, not the absolute maximum allowed. One commissioner expressed concern about possible larger visual massing in some districts; staff noted additional code sections that govern color, context and panel size would continue to constrain problematic designs.
After discussion and staff assurances that other compatibility standards remain, the commission voted unanimously to recommend the amendments to the City Council for adoption.
