HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-2008-104 - Zoning Ordinance Amendment: Sign Regulations for Recreational Land UsesORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 21, 2008
to 0- (2 0 1) fi - )d -171
Action Agenda
Item No. 4- — O
SUBJECT: Zoning Ordinance Amendment: Sign Regulations for Recreational Land Uses
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) 0
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Ordinance Amendment Package
(New Language is Shown in .
Underlined Text and has a Vertical
Line Along the Right Margin)
2. May 19, 2008 Quarterly Public
Hearing Minutes
3. Planning Board Minutes — September
3, 2008
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Benedict 245 -2592
Michael Harvey 245 -2607
PURPOSE: To take action on a proposed amendment to Article Nine (9) Signs and Section
6.29.3 The Economic Development Design Manual Part Three (3) Design Criteria Section
3.5 Signs and Lighting of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance to establish specific
regulations governing the erection of signs at recreational land uses.
BACKGROUND: This item was heard at the May 19, 2008 Quarterly Public Hearing and
discussed at the September 3, 2008 Planning Board meeting.
As was presented at the May 19, 2008 Quarterly Public hearing, staff has proposed
amendments to the previously identified sections of the Ordinance to complete the following:
1. Creation of a new section within Article Nine (9) to establish regulations governing the
erection and use of signs within the previously aforementioned recreational uses, and
2. The creation of a new section within Section 6.29.3 The Economic Development Design
Manual Part Three (3) Design Criteria Section 3.5 Signs and Lighting to establish similar
regulations for recreational land uses developed within the various Economic
Development (ED) zoning districts.
The overriding purpose and intent of these amendments is to take action to formally
recommend implementation of portions of the aforementioned comprehensive sign ordinance
amendment package to address a urgent need for clarification on the size, type, and number of
signs permitted within recreational land uses developed within all zoning districts of the County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Ordinance amendment has been reviewed by various County
departments who have determined its approval will not create the need for additional funding.
PLANNING BOARD .RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Board voted unanimously at its
September 3, 2008 meeting to recommend approval of the proposed amendment.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Administration recommends that the Board:
1. Receive the Planning Board recommendation,
2. Close the Public Hearing, and
3. Take action to approve the amendment.
A*4CA•rt eni 2
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AMENDMENTS TO THE
ORANGE COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE
(Only those sections or subsections amended are set out below)
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE
COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, hereby amends the Orange County Zoning
Ordinance by adding (indicated by underlined language) and deleting (indicated
by stricken through language) as follows:
Proposed Amendment: Part 1
That Article Nine (9) Signs Section 9.12 Miscellaneous Requirements be
amended by adding a new sub - section (1) to read as follows:
i) Specific Reaulations Governing Signs for: Parks. Public and
Non - profit: Recreational Facilities, Non - Profit: Recreational
Facilities, Golf Courses: and Recreational Facilities, Profit:
Unlike signs for non- residential develogment(s), signs for
recreational land uses are intended to serve a different function and
PUrpOse.
Signs within these types of land uses are intended to provide
essential information concerning:
1. Rules and regulations governing the operation of the facility,
2. Educational information identfirinq unique aspects of the facility,
the property itself, or significant environmental features that are
located on the property,
3. Identification of sponsors or gublic/private partnerships that are
responsible for the development. Upkeep, and maintenance of
existing recreational amenities.
While some of this information could be construed as being
advertising material. the County views such signs as identifying
those responsible for the existence of the facility -and allows for
recognition of entities that have entered into partnerships with the
The following regulations govern the erection of signs at
1 Parks, Public and Non - profit,
2. Recreational Facilities, Non - Profit,
3. Recreational Facilities, Golf Courses and
4. Recreational Facilities, Profit
within the County:
1. Freestanding signs announcing the name of the facility/land
use are subject to the following standards:
1. There shall be only one (1) freestanding sign per
property,
ii. The freestanding sign shall be limited to twenty (20)
square feet of sign area,
iii. The sign may be either ground or pole mounted,
iv. Freestanding scans shall be set back a minimum of ten
(10) feet from all property lines,
v. Illumination of freestanding signs shall be permitted in
accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
2. Wall signs shall either be mounted or painted on a building.
adhered to:
i. All wall signs shall be offset a minimum of five (5) feet
from the side of the building on which it is mounted.
ii. Wall signs shall not protrude more that twelve (12) inches
from the side of building on which it is mounted.
iii. Only one (1) wall sign shall be permitted per building
except as follows:
In cases where a building is located on a comer lot, a
second wall sign may be erected on the building wall
facing the second street right -of -way subject to the
requirements of this Ordinance.
If a building facade faces athletic fields or other similar
recreational areas on the property, a second wall sign, up
to thirty-two (32) square feet in area, may be erected
facing these facilities, not to exceed the allowable sign
area as calculated herein,
Under no circumstances may multiple wall signs be
located on the same building facade.
iv. The' allowable area for wall signs to occupy on a building
per permitted facade shall be based on the following
formula: one (1) square foot of wall sign area for every
point five (.50) linear feet of building along a right -of -way
or facing an athletic field or similar recreational use not
to exceed thirty -two (32) square feet in area
v. A changeable copy sign can be utilized as a wall sign
A.- Wall signs shall not extend above the soffit parapet or
eave line of the building to which it is attached
vii. In cases where a wall sign is proposed to be illuminated
the sign shall be internally illuminated or have external
illumination installed consistent with the provisions of this
Ordinance.
3. Informatlonal signs shall be allowed In an effort to provide
information concerning individual recreational amenities
available on the property. Signs within this category are
limited to those signs necessary to identify the name of a
specific recreational facility, amenity, or use and are subject
to the following standards:
L The signs shall be no lancer than twenty (20) square feet
in area.
ii. The sign shall contain information identifying the
recreational amenity including:
1. The number, letter, or name of a recreational Playing
field such as 'Soccer Field One' or 'Soccer Field A' or
'Third-Tee' for a golf course.
2. The number, letter. or name of a picnic shelter,
3. Walking trails,
4. Playgrounds,
5. And other similar activities
The number of suns shall be directly proportional to the
number of individual recreational amenities present on
the site. For example. a Parks. Public and Non -profit
land use that has four (4) individual baseball fields can
have four (4) individual information signs one (1) located
at each site, for identification purposes. Similarly, a golf
iv. Informational signs may contain the name logo or
slogan of a sponsor that is responsible for the
development/upkeep /maintenance of the recreational
amenity subiect to the following limitations:
1. The name and/or logo of a sponsor shall not take up
more than eighty (80) percent of the total sign area.
2. No other advertising material shall be permitted on
the sign,
v. Maximum height of an informational sin regulated under
this section shall be seven (7) feet,
A Informational signs shall be located a minimum of five (5)
feet from any active recreational activity fields (i.e.
soccer, baseball, football, etc) or one (1) foot from any
established nature, man -made trail, and /or passive
recreational area,
vii. Informational signs regulated under the provisions of this
section shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from
all mwertylines,
viii. Informational signs regulated under this section shall not
be illuminated,
4. informational kiosks shall be allowed in an effort to provide
information conceming the operational characteristics of the
land use to visitors subject to the following standards:
i. A maximum of eight (8) informational kiosks shall be
permitted per one hundred (100) acres of property,
for services or emergency situations, and educational
information conceming the park • itself or any and all
significant site features,
iii. Informational kiosks shall be limited to thirty-two (32)
sauare feet of sign area exclusive of architectural
supports or housing,
Iv. In cases where an informational kiosk is proposed to be
illuminated, the sign shall be intemally illuminated or
have extemal illumination installed consistent with the
provisions of this Ordinance,
v. Informational kiosks shall be around mounted, not to
exceed seven (7) feet in height, exclusive of architectural
supports or housing,
A Informational kiosks shall be located a minimum of five
(5) feet from any active recreational activity fields_ (i.e.
soccer, baseball, football, etc) or one (1) foot from any
established nature, man -made trail, and/or passive
recreational area
vii. Informational kiosks shall be set back a minimum of ten
(10) feet from all property lines,
viii. An informational kiosk may contain the name, logo, or
slogan of a sponsor that is responsible for the
development/upkeep/maintenance of the recreational
amenity subject to the following limitations:
1. The name and /or logo of a sponsor shall not take up
more than twenty (20) percent of the total kiosk area,
2. No other advertising material shall be permitted on
the kiosk,
5. Directional signs shall be allowed in an effort to provide
information to visitors on the location of recreational
amenities or offices_ located on the property. subject to the
followina standards:
I. Directional signs shall be limited to six (6) square feet in
area,
Directional signs shall not include anv advertisin
material.
iii. All directional signs shall be around mounted signs not
exceeding seven (7) feet in height,
iv. All directional signs shall be located a minimum of five (5)
feet from any active recreational activity field or one (1)
feet from any established nature or man -made trail, and
shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from all
property lines,
V. Scoreboards shall be allowed in accordance with the
following standards:
vi. One (1) scoreboard per individual athletic field not to
exceed one hundred forty four (144) square feet.
Proposed Amendment: Part II
That Article Section 6.29.3 The Economic Development Design Manual of the
Orange County Zoning Ordinance, Section 3.5 Signs and Lighting to create a
new section to read as follows:
Awnings: The use of awnings on a single building or along a row
of contiguous businesses can have a unifying effect. If used,
however, awnings must adhere to the following criteria:
1. The form and color of the awnings must be consistent,
2. A minimum eight foot vertical clearance must be
maintained,
3. Signs on awnings must be painted on and limited to the
awning's flap (valance) or end panels,
4. Plexiglas, metal, and glossy vinyl illuminated awnings are
strongly discouraged. Canvas, treated canvas, matte finish
vinyl, and fabric awnings are encouraged.
Unlike signs for non - residential development(s) within the various
Economic Development Districts, signs for recreational land uses
e
are intended to serve a different function and purpose.
Signs within these land uses are intended to provide essential
information concerning the:
1. Rules and regulations governing the operation - of the
facia'
2. Educational information identifiling unique aspects of the
facility, the property itself, or significant environmental
features that are located on the property.
3. Identification of sponsors or publiclprivate partnerships that
are responsible for the development, upkeep, and
maintenance of existing recreational amenities.
While some of this information could be• construed as being
advertising material, the County views such signs as identifying
those responsible for the existence of the facility and allows for
recognition of entities that have entered into partnerships with the
operator of the facility to provide local residents with. recreational
opportunities.
The following regulations govem the erection of signs at
1. Parks. Public and Non - profit,
2. Recreational Facilities, Non - Profit, and
.3. Recreational Facilities. Profit
within the County:
1. Freestanding signs announcing-the name of the facilibLAand use
are subject to the following standards:
7
i There shall be only one (1) freestanding sign per
property,
ii.. The freestanding sign shall be limited to thirty -bw (32)
square feet of sign area.
W. The sign rimy be either around or pole mounted,
iv. Freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of ten
(10) feet from all propedy lines,
2 Wall sians shall either be mounted or painted on a building.
Wall scans shall be erected in accordance with the provisions of
this Ordinance provided the following standards are adhered to:
ii. Wall signs shall not protrude more that twelve (12) inches
from the side of building on which it is mounted.
iii . Only one (1) wall sign shall be permitted per building
except as follows:
In cases where a buildina is located on a comer lot, a
second wall sign may be erected on the building wall
facing the second street. right -of -way subiect to the
requirements of this Ordinance.
If a building facade faces athletic fields or other similar
recreational areas on the property, a second wall sign, up
to thirty -two (32) square feet in area, may be erected
facing these facilities not to exceed the allowable sign
area as calculated herein,
Under no circumstances may multiple wall signs be
located on the same building facade.
iv. The allowable area for wall signs to occupy on a building
per permitted facade shall be based on the following
formula: one (1) square foot of wall sign area for every
point five (50) linear feet of building along a right -of -way
or facing an athletic field or similar recreational use, not
to exceed thirty -two (32) square feet in area.
v A changeable copy sign can be utilized as a wall signs.
vi Wall signs shall not extend above the soffit, parapet, or
eave line of the building to which it is attached.
i I;+,
vil. In cases where a wall sign is proposed to be illuminated,
the sign shall be internally illuminated or have external
illumination installed consistent with the provisions of this
Ordinance.
3. Informational signs shall be allowed in an effort to provide
information concerning individual recreational amenities
available on the property. Signs within this category are limited
to those signs necessary to identify the name of a specific
recreational facility, amenity, or use and are subject to the
following standards:
L The signs shall be no larger than twentv (20) square feet
in area,
ii.The sign shall contain information identifying the
recreational amenity including,
1 The number, letter. , or name of a recreational
playing field such as 'Soccer Field One' or 'Soccer
Field A',
2. The number, letter, or name of a picnic shelter,
3. Walking trails,
4. Playgrounds,
5. And other similar activities
iii. The number of signs shall be directly proportional to
the .number of individual recreational amenities
present on the site. for example, a Parks. Public and
Non -profit land use that has four (4) individual
baseball fields can have four (4). individual
informational signs. one (1) located at each site, for
identification purposes.
iv. Informational signs may contain the name, logo, or
slogan of a sponsor that is - responsible for the
development/upkeep /maintenance of the recreational
amenity subject to the following limitations:
1. The name and /or logo of a sponsor shall not take
up more than eighty (80) percent of the total sign
area.
2. No other advertising material shall be permitted on
the sign.
v. Maximum height of an Informational sign regulated
under this section shall be seven (7) feet.
11
A Informational signs shall be located a minimum of five
(5) feet from any active recreational activity fields (i.e.
soccer, baseball, football, etc) or one (1) foot from any
established nature, man -made trail, and/or passive
recreational area,
vii. Informational Signs regulated under the provisions of
this section shall be setback a minimum of ten (10)
feet from all property lines,
viii. informational signs regulated under this section shall
not be illuminated,
4. Informational kiosks shall be allowed In an effort to provide
information conceming the operational characteristics of the
land use to visitors subject to the following standards:
i. A maximum of eight (8) informational kiosks shall be
permitted per one hundred (100) dcres of property,
ii. These signs shall be intended to provide information
conceming operational requirements, contact numbers
for services or emergency situations, and educational
information conceming the park itself or any and all
significant site features,
ill. Informational kiosks shall be limited to thirty -two (32)
square feet of sign area exclusive of architectural
supports or housing,
iv. In cases where an informational kiosk is proposed to be
illuminated, the sign shall be intemally illuminated or
have external illumination installed consistent with the
provisions of this Ordinance,
v. Informational kiosks shall be ground mounted not to
exceed seven (7) feet in height exclusive of architectural
supports or housing,
soccer, baseball, football, etc) or one (1) foot from any
established nature, man -made trail, and/or passive
recreational area
vii. Informational kiosks shall be setback a minimum of ten
(10) feet from all property lines.
viii. An informational kiosk may contain the name, logo, or
slogan of a sponsor that is responsible for the
development/upkeep /maintenance of • the recreational
amenity subject to the following limitations:
12
4. The name and /or logo of a sponsor shall not take up
more than twenty (20) percent of the total kiosk area.
5. No other advertising material shall be permitted on
the kiosk.
S. Directional signs shall be allowed in an effort to provide
information to visitors on the location of recreational amenities
or offices located on the- property subject to the following
standards:
L Directional signs shall be limited to six (6) square feet in
area.
ii. Directional signs shall not include any advertisina
material.
iii. All directional signs shall be ground mounted signs not
exceeding seven (Z) feet in height,
iv. All directional signs shall be located a minimum of five (5)
feet from any active recreational activity field or one (1) feet
from any established nature or man -made trail, and shall
be setback a minimum of ten (10) feet from all property
lines.
6. Scoreboards shall be allowed in accordance with the
following standards:
1. One (1) scoreboard per individual athletic field not to
exceed one hundred forty -four (144 )square feet.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:.
1. A sign permit shall be reaulred for all sians regulated under
this section. Sian permit applications shall be submitted and
issued in accordance with the provisions of the Economic
Development Design Manual and the Orange County Zoning
Ordinance.
2. Signs for Parks. Public and Non - profit: Recreational
Facilities Non-Profit: and Recreational Facilities Profit land
uses shall be limited to a total sg-uare footage limitation of
five hundred (500) square feet for all signs as detailed
herein. This limitation does not pertain to Directional
Sionage erected in accordance with the provisions detailed
herein.
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Upon motion of Commissioner
seconded by.Commissioner 9-the
foregoing Zoning Ordinance amendments were adopted this the day
Of . 2008 and shall become effective upon adoption.
Donna Baker, Clerk, Orange County Commissioners
Eke,f+oF May tl,aoos aPFF Mrnuf4,45
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Excerpt of Minutes
MIIVt1TES
ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
SEFrEMBER 3, 2008
REGULAR MEETING
A1'Q.CJ1 rnen t 3
Approved 10/1/08
MEMBERS PRESENT Renee A Price, Hillsborough Township At-Large (Vice Chair); Craufurd Goodwin, Hillsborough
Representative; Bernadette Pelissier, Bingham Township; Brian Crawford, Eno Township At- Large; Joel Forrest
Knight. Little River Representative, Judith Wegner, Bingham Township At- Large; Larry Wright, Cedar Grove
Township At- large
MEmBERs ABSENT: Jay Bryan, Chapel Hill Representative (Chair); Michelle Kempinsid, Cedar Grove Township At-
large; Jeffrey Schmitt, Cedar Grove Township At-Large:, Cheeks Representative, Vacant Eno Township, Vacant
STAFF PRESENT: Tom Allied, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor, Michael Harvey, AICP, Planner 11;.Glenn Bowles,
AICP, Planner II; Robert Davis, AICP, Planner III; Tina Love, Administrative Assistant II
OTHER ATTENDEES: Rita Leadem, Representative for Comprehensive Plan Coalition; John Bugg, Applicant -The
Forest at little River
AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
AGENDA ITEM 11: SIGN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
To consider a recommendation to the BOCC regarding this proposed amendment heard at the
May 19, 2008 Quarterly Public Hearing.
Presenter. Michael Harvey, Planner II
Michael Harvey: As we discussed previously the existing ordinance is too far out of date and we wanted to do a
comprehensive redo of the .whole document The existing article made major modifications to how we deal with
political signage. The concern was that if we change the rules before the November election we could create
confusion as to what regulations applied. Unfortunately, we still have inconsistent sign regulations for parks. We
took the standards we reviewed out and we will do a separate amendment to cover those. We have proposed
amendment for Article 9 and for Section 6.29.3, the Design Manual. There was a concern over what was interpreted
as being a typo in this- ordinance proposal on page 288, number one, subsection 2, reads the freestanding sign
should be limited to 20 square feet of sign area. In the EM standards we are recommending 32 square feet The
question was why you are treating them differently. Basically Article 9 has three different sections that state you can
only have freestanding at 20 square feet
MOTON made by Judith Wegner to approve. Seconded by Bernadette Pelissier.
VoTE: Unanimous
Juditf Wegner. Can you give us an idea of what happened with Buckhom?
Michael Harvey: The Board of County Commissioners accepted the planning board's recommendation for review
and that was it
Larry Wright: On page 8 the sentence at the top regarding the Plexiglas, metal, etc. are strongly discouraged. Some
of these are illuminated from inside and have their logo on either side of the awning or top, would that discourage this
type.
Michael Harvey: That is not part of the amendment.
Larry Wright: Thank you.
11