CITY OF LAKEPORT PLANNING COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RE: Enforcement of Time Limit for Temporary Signs MEETING DATE: November 13, 2013

SUBMITTED BY: Andrew Britton, Planning Services Manager PURPOSE OF REPORT: Information only Discussion Commission Action

WHAT IS BEING ASKED OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION: Continued discussion regarding enforcement of the time limit for the display of temporary commercial signs and recommendation to the Lakeport City Council. SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE: This issue was previously discussed at the September 11, 2013 Planning Commission meeting. At that time the Planning Commission discussed the issue of temporary signs, particularly the feather-style signs that are now popular and being used by numerous Lakeport businesses. The Commission agreed that feather flags are a form of temporary signage as defined in Planning Commission Resolution No. 54 and are therefore subject to the display time limit of 30 days per calendar year set forth in the Resolution. Some of the Commissioners expressed concern about the appearance of the feather flags when they are displayed for extended periods, as is the case with most of them. Concerns were also expressed about the long-term use of typical banners and the use of banners as permanent signage in lieu of a typical permanent sign. Although the Planning Commission expressed a desire to begin addressing the long-term display of temporary signs, it was agreed to continue the discussion until the November Planning Commission meeting. DISCUSSION: Planning Commission Resolution No. 54 sets forth the regulations for the display of temporary signs in the City of Lakeport. The resolution states that temporary signage includes any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard or other light material. The resolution also indicates that temporary signs are intended to be displayed for a limited period of time not to exc eed thirty days in each calendar year (January through December). The resolution adds that only one type of temporary sign shall be allowed during the identified time period. This final restriction was intended to address the display of a cloth banner for thirty days, then pennant-style streamers for thirty days, and then another form of temporary signage for another thirty days, etc.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meeting Date: November 13, 2013 Page 1 Agenda Item VI. B.

The Community Design Element of the Lakeport General Plan addresses commercial signage and includes a policy (Policy CD 7.6, Pg. V-16) intended to facilitate the installation of attractive and functional signs. This policy also includes a related program (Program CD 7.6-a) recommending that an updated sign ordinance address the quality of signage, prohibited signage and temporary signage. Regarding prohibited signage, the General Plan (Pg. V-17) states promotional banners, balloons or similar promotional devices should not be allowed, except when used on a temporary basis to celebrate a specific event approved by the City. Our existing sign regulations, including Planning Commission Resolution No. 54, address the display of temporary signs and establish a time limit. Community Development Department staff canvassed the City in early November and logged all of the businesses that are currently displaying some form of temporary signage: lightweight banners, feather flags and/or pennant-style signs. The results are detailed on the attached table (Attachment 1). Page 3 of the attachment includes a summary: a total of 83 businesses are displaying temporary signs, 24 businesses are using a temporary sign as a permanent sign, and 71 businesses appear to be displaying temporary signs on a long term basis. Staff advised the Planning Commission in September that we are open to considering other strategies to address the long term display of temporary signs. Based on the total number of businesses that appear to be in violation of the display time limit, complete enforcement will be a significant challenge due to limited enforcement staff and other work assignments. Staff has developed several options for consideration by the Planning Commission: 1. Amend Resolution No. 54 to increase the allowable time limit for temporary signs from 30 days to 60 or 90 days or longer. Comment: The majority of the temporary signs noted by staff appear to have been displayed for longer than 90 days. Extending the display time limit will only delay the need for enforcement action. 2. Develop a form letter to be sent to all businesses displaying temporary signage advising owners of the 30-day display limit and requesting voluntary compliance beginning in 2014. The same letter would also include information regarding the long term use of a temporary sign as a permanent sign with an indication that active enforcement will begin in 2014. Comment: This may be the most business friendly option. The use of banners, feather flags and pennant-style flags are often used to supplement the business permanent sign. The suggested letter would request voluntary compliance with the 30-day display limit in 2014. The letter would also advise business owners relying on temporary signs as their permanent signage that they will be required to install a permanent sign in 2014. The City will gladly work with business owners who need more time to purchase and install a permanent sign provided they commit to installing a permanent sign. In staffs opinion, the use of a temporary sign as a permanent sign on a long term basis is an important matter and should be a higher enforcement priority. 3. Prepare individual letters to be sent to all businesses displaying temporary signage with specific information detailing the existing sign ordinance violations and requesting compliance. This letter would also include information about the
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meeting Date: November 13, 2013 Page 2 Agenda Item VI. B.

potential penalties (Administrative Citation) that can be imposed for violations of the Citys regulations. Comment: This option would require a great deal of staff time and has the potential for being considered a heavy handed enforcement strategy. However, based on staffs experience, it may be the most effective option to achieve compliance. 4. Prepare letters to businesses who are displaying feather flags in excess of the 30day limit and request compliance with the 30-day display limit beginning in 2014. Comment: The recent proliferation of feather flags in our community prompted bringing the temporary sign enforcement issue to the Planning Commission in September. It may be appropriate to require the timely removal of feather flags only, beginning in 2014. The City could also consider the adoption of a new Planning Commission Resolution specific to feather flags with a different display time limit than used for other types of temporary signs. 5. Enforce the temporary sign regulations only if the City receives a citizen complaint regarding the temporary signs appearance or length of display. IMPACTS/PROS AND CONS: As described in the memorandum that was prepared for the September meeting, the enforcement of the Citys sign regulations can be a very emotional issue for business owners. The Lake County Chamber of Commerce has provided input suggesting that some businesses credit the use of feather flags and banners for increasing their sales. The City is very sensitive to the needs of our local businesses. However, the long-term display of signs intended to be displayed on a temporary basis or the use of temporary signs as permanent signs is an aesthetic issue and can detract from the Citys overall appearance. Staff will forward a report to the City Council detailing the Planning Commissions recommendation(s) regarding the enforcement of the temporary sign regulations. Staff will request additional direction from the City Council. OPTIONS: See the options listed in the Discussion section above. SUGGESTED MOTION: See options listed above. The motion would state that the Planning Commission directs staff to forward Option #___ to the Lakeport City Council regarding the enforcement of temporary sign displays and also directs staff to request additional direction from the City Council.

Attachment:

Table of Lakeport Businesses Displaying Temporary Signs as of 11/4/13

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meeting Date: November 13, 2013 Page 3 Agenda Item VI. B.

Attachment 1
CITY OF LAKEPORT BUSINESSES DISPLAYING BANNERS, FEATHER FLAGS, OR PENNANT SIGNS - NOVEMBER 4, 2013
No. Business Name Type of sign Banner or Flag Condition Using as Permanent Sign? Comments

1 Sicily's 2 Men's Place 3 Skylark 4 Round Table Pizza 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sterling Mortgage 11th Street Mini Storage Rico Aroma Subway Safeway Nozzolillo's Parlour

Banner Banner Banner"Kitchenettes" Banners (2) "Happy Hour" Banner over permanent sign Feather Flags (2) Banners (2) Banner Feather / Gas (1) Banner For lease Banner Feather Flag

Ok Ok Ok Older Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Old/dingy Ok Ok Ok

No Yes

"Open for Dinner" Long term Long term

Yes/Supplement Long term "Happy Hour" No Long term owner wants Yes permanent sign No Long term No Long term No No Long term No Long term No Yes No Yes No No Yes No Yes (one) No No No No No N/A Long term Long term Owner wants permanent sign

11 Lincoln Levitt Insurance 12 Hairbiz on 5th St. 13 Your One Stop Party Shop 14 The Eiffel Flower 15 Clearlake Club

Banner Ok Banners (3) Karaoke & misc banners Front one is rear deck dingy Ok Dingy Ok Ok Ok Ok Dingy Ok Ok Ok

16 Don Angel Vinyard Wine TastingFeather Banner 17 Express Mart Banner 18 Hong Kong Restaurant Banner on lawn Banner on building 19 Farmers Insurance Banners (2) 20 Allens Furniture Banner 21 Travel Centers 22 23 24 25 A-Z Cigarettes Shoreline Storage Transmission Exchange Hospice Thrift Store Banners (2) Feather Flag Feather Flags (2) Pennant Flags
1

Long term No advertising. Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term "Lottery" Long term Long term Long term

26 T.A.C. Beauty Shop 27 Livin' Made EZ 28 Lakeport Tire & Brake

Feather Flags (3) Banners (2) Banners (2)

Ok Ok Ok

No No No

Long term Long term Many banners & signs, some facing Hwy 29. Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term No advertising on flags. Long term. Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term, Hwy 29

29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43

McAttee Marine Dream Machine Customs Lakeport Trailer Classic Auto Body ER Energy Lake Co. Record Bee Main Street Nursery Metro PCS F & M Automotive Recycling Center - (Lkpt Blvd.) Royal Auto Environmental Alternatives U.S. Cellular A-1 Check Cashing UPS Store

Banners (4+), Feather flags Banner Banner Banner Banner Banner Banners (4+) Banner Banner Feather Flags (2) Feather Flag Banners (2) Feather Flag Feather Flag Feather Flag Feather Flag & Banner Banner Banner & Feather Flags (2)

Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Dingy Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok

Yes-free standing Yes Yes No No No-on monument sign No No Yes No No No No No No No No

44 Blockbuster 45 Bruno's 46 Zumba Fitness

47 Lakeside Family Fun Center Lake Co. Community Action 48 Center 49 50 51 52 53 54 55

Yes- banner Old/Fading Flags tattered, Banners (8), Feather torn, and one Yes - One Flags (7) dingy banner Banner Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Yes Yes No No No Yes No No No

Banner Banners (2) Front/Back Envy Salon Banners (3) City Fitness Mendo Lake Home Respiratory Banner Services "Moved/Relocated" Banner WIC Program Circle of Native Minds Banner Feather Flag & Many Banners McDonald's Banner AAA Feather - Several
2

56 Campbell Lane Mini Storage

Kathy Fowler 57 Chevrolet/Chrysler 58 Quail Run Fitness 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72

Banners - Several

Ok Older Old Ok Ok Ok Dingy Ok Ok Ok Ok

Yes- some banners No No Yes No Yes No No No No

Banner Banner Old Mendo Lake Garage Door Relocated/Old Banner Servpro Parallel Mendo Lake Home Respiratory Drive/Banner "New Services Location" Feather Flag (2) Chevron Banner Trinkets & Treasures Banner Skin Fitness Banner Wright Look Banner Sun Dental Feather Flag Aqua Man Spas Banner - New Owner Union Tattoo Banner Levi Palmer, DDS Banner Lake Co. Christian T.V. Banners on Fence (4 +) Hillside Honda/Yamaha Feather Flag Susie Q's Donuts

Long term Long term "New Owner" 3 + yrs. Long term Long term

Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Long term Fence Banners Long term 30+ days Long term Long term Long term Long term No advertising Long term Long term 30 + Days Long term Christmas Season Long term

No Ok Yes Dingy Kind of dingy Yes Ok Ok No No No No Yes No Yes No Yes - Possibly No N/A

74 La Fiesta Market 75 Guerrero Brothers Auto Body 76 TNT Restaurant Disney Boat Rental at Willow 77 Point

Banner/Feather Flag Torn-dingy Banner Ok Banners (3) Ok Banner Ok Ok Dingy Ok Ok Ok OK

78 Bell Hill Vinyard Wine Tasting Feather Flags (2) Banner 79 Parkview Podiatry 80 81 82 83 Logan's Bar Park Place Lakeport English Inn Lakeport Car Wash Banner - Back Deck Banner Banner Pennant Flags

Total number of businesses Total number of businesses using displaying temporary signs: 83 temporary sign as permanent sign: 24

Total number of businesses using temporary signs on long term basis: 71