City Council STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 24, 2016
PREPARED BY: John Lang, Economic Development Coordinator/ Community Development
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
COUNCIL POLICY FOR COMMUNITY SIGNS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITY SIGNS ON CITY PROPERTY
END
RECOMMENDATION(S):
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve amendment to Council Policy 15-01 to clarify the use and placement of community activity signs on city property; and
2. Adopt Council Policy 15-02 that outlines the use and placement of community signs on city property.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Preserving and cultivating public trust
2016 Focus Areas
Improving Our Communication
REPORT NARRATIVE:
Chapter 12.16 of the Morgan Hill Municipal Code requires special event organizers to obtain a special event permit from the City. Regularly, the organizers of major special events of civic importance request the ability to post informational banners and streetlight banners and signage on City property preceding the events. Under the current Council Policy 15-01, Community Activity Signs (also referred to as temporary banners) are allowed, however, Community Signs, such as "welcome to downtown" banners are not permitted.
At the request of the community, meetings were held with the Kiwanis of Morgan Hill, the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, and the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce to discuss improving consistency with the sign code and clarifying the current Council Policy on Community Activity Signs and Community Signs. The outcome of the meetings was to improve standards for Community Activity Signs (temporary banners) and develop a Council Policy for the use of Community Signs. The resulting feedback led to this proposal to amend Council Policy 15-01 and add a new Council Policy 15-02 allowing Community Signs.
Changes to Council Policy 15-01 (Community Activity Signs) include the following:
• Removes community identification flags and other specific event flags from streetlight poles
• Removes ribbons from trees, streetlight poles and medians
• Clarifies where Community Activity Signs can be displayed at City facilities and appropriate streetlight poles
• Clarifies the approval process for Community Activity signs
• Aligns Community Activity Signs to Title 18, Division III Sign Code
The proposed Council Policy 15-02 (Community Signs) outlines the following:
• Establishes an application and review process for Community Signs
• Establishes the locations where Community Signs can be displayed
• Defines the size dimensions for Community Signs
• Creates an approval process for Community Signs
• Aligns Community Signs to Title 18, Division III Sign Code
The proposed amendments to Council Policy 15-01 will not affect or impact currently approved special events permits in 2016.
The intent of the amendments to Council Policy 15-01 and the addition of Council Policy 15-02 is to provide greater clarity on the location, duration, dimensions, application process, and approval process for Community Signs and Community Activity Signs.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
Should the City Council not wish to adopt the amended Policies for Community Activity Signs (15-01), event producers would still have the ability to apply for temporary banners under the current approved Council Policy. Should the City Council not approve Council Policy 15-02, Community signs such as "welcome to downtown" would not be permitted.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
City Council adopted Council Policy 15-01 on April 15, 2015.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
Staff estimates that there will be minimal fiscal impact as planning and review of applications already occurs for all special events and Community Activity Signs. For this reason, staff is not proposing an additional fee for Community Signs review at this time.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Categorical Exemption
Categorically Exempt under Section 15311 (Accessory Structures) of the CEQA Guidelines, as on-premises signage and temporary use items are specifically enumerated as the types of activities exempted from CEQA under this categorical exemption.
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
Council Policy 15-01 - Community Activity Sign Policy
Council Policy 15-02 - Community Sign Policy