Planning commission asks staff to take revised sign ordinance to joint DRC workshop

The Solvang Planning Commission on Aug. 3 moved to direct staff to take the proposed revisions to the city's sign regulations (Title 11, Chapter 13) to a joint meeting with the Design Review Committee for final review and refinement, then return a recommendation to the City Council. The motion passed unanimously.

Staff described the overhaul as a shift to content-neutral, objective standards—measurable sign areas based on linear frontage, clarified temporary/permanent categories, administrative permits for routine sign changes, and specific treatment for murals and wayfinding. Rafael, community development director, framed the effort as a response to changes in sign technology and legal precedent, citing Reed v. Town of Gilbert as a legal context for content-neutral requirements. "We're trying to create a better approach with objective physical standards," Rafael said.

DRC chair and longtime DRC member Esther (public commenter) complimented the work but urged a final DRC review because the committee had not seen the document in final published form: "However, the committee did not have the opportunity to review this document that you're looking at before it was published for the planning commission," she said, and asked that staff and commissioners consider a short joint workshop to refine language and avoid later appeals.

The commission discussed logistics and timing; members asked staff to coordinate availability and to aim for a September joint session to keep the ordinance moving toward council consideration. The motion to direct staff to schedule the joint Planning Commission/DRC workshop passed 5-0.