ITEM TITLE:
Title
Consider holding a public hearing and approving an ordinance pertaining to Control of Signs amending Section 18-9-1-908, Division 18-9-1, Article 18-9, Chapter 18, Lawton City Code, 2015, by increasing the maximum electronic message sign square footage allowed within two hundred feet of an A-1 General Agriculture, A-2 Suburban, R-1 Single-Family Dwelling, R-2 Two-Family Dwelling, R-3 Multiple-Family Dwelling, and R-4 High-Density Apartment zoning district and allowing electronic message centers signs to be building mounted, and allowing for floor amendments if necessary; providing for severability and establishing an effective date.
body
INITIATOR: Christine James, Planning Director
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Kameron Good, Senior Planner
BACKGROUND: In the last eight months, the Board of Adjustment has reviewed and approved six variances to the code section that limits electronic message center sign area to twenty-five (25’) square feet if the sign is located within 200’of an A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 zoning district. All of the approved variances have been for sign areas less than sixty-five square feet. The proposed ordinance would increase the allowable sign area to sixty-five (65) square feet and allow electronic message centers to also be building mounted.
Historical Actions related to Electronic Message Centers:
On September 8, 2015, the City Council approved Ordinance 15-23 that amended Section 18-9-1-908 by establishing the maximum sign area of 25 square feet for an electronic message center sign located within 200 feet of an A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 zoning district and stating that said signs shall be separated from said districts by a building or screenings such that light trespass onto any portion of said districts does not exceed 0.1 foot-candles.
On August 8, 2017, the City Council approved Ordinance 17-25 that amended Section 18-9-1-908 stating that electronic message centers shall not exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light and be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically dims. A chart was also added to code regarding the distance away from the sign to take the measurement based on the sign square footage.
On January 14, 2021, the CPC approved a recommendation to Council to amend the maximum electronic message center sign area to 64 square feet within 200 feet of an A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 zoning district. The City Council considered this amendment on February 9, 2021. The City Council had some concerns and the amendment was not approved.
The CPC held a public hearing on May 16, 2024, and considered the ordinance.
EXHIBIT: Ordinance 24-____
Notice of Public Hearing
May 16, 2024 CPC meeting minutes
KEY ISSUES: N/A
FUNDING SOURCE: N/A
CPC RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: Holding a public hearing and approve Ordinance 24-_____ pertaining to Control of Signs amending Section 18-9-1-908, Division 18-9-1, Article 18-9, Chapter 18, Lawton City Code, 2015, by increasing the maximum electronic message sign square footage allowed within two hundred feet of an A-1 General Agriculture, A-2 Suburban, R-1 Single-Family Dwelling, R-2 Two-Family Dwelling, R-3 Multiple-Family Dwelling, and R-4 High-Density Apartment zoning district and allowing electronic message centers signs to be building mounted, and allowing for floor amendments if necessary; providing for severability and establishing an effective date.