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File Number: 14-207 <br /> <br />City of San Leandro Page 15 Printed 5/27/2014 <br />Staff proposes a series of amendments to the sign code to allow staff to control the aesthetic <br />quality of signage within the City. Changes are shown on the attached Ordinance Exhibit I, <br />Proposed Amended Article 18 Signs. Notable changes include: <br /> <br />• Ruling out the use of extraneous information that clutters signs (e.g. phone numbers, <br />listing of products, etc.); <br />• Protecting landmark signs; <br />• Clarifying that signs in all DA districts should conform to the Downtown Sign Regulations; <br />• Prohibiting cabinet or “box-type” signs in commercial districts; <br />• Tightening regulations for window signs; <br />• Allowing for reader boards for institutions that offer classes, only. <br /> <br />In addition, the City Attorney’s Office has added the following amendment to the ordinance <br />related to temporary political signs, in Article 18, Section 4-1806(I) to better align the temporary <br />sign policy with federal law: <br /> <br />Temporary Political Signs. The maximum size of temporary political signs shall be sixteen (16) <br />square feet unless the sign meets structural and design requirements prescribed by the Uniform <br />Sign Code for signs other than temporary signs. This requirement is intended to prevent <br />installation of structurally unsafe signs. Temporary political signs shall be removed within ten <br />(10) days following the election pertaining to a candidate, ballot measure or issue addressed by <br />the sign. Prior to the installation of any temporary political sign anywhere in the City, the person <br />intending to install the sign or the person on whose behalf the signs are to be installed shall, at <br />least two (2) days prior to the installation, file a declaration of intent to install with the Zoning <br />Enforcement Official or the Zoning Enforcement Official’s designee. The declaration shall contain <br />an agreement to remove any sign that is installed in violation of any provisions of the <br />Zoning Code or the Municipal Code, such signs within ten (10) days after the election and to <br />pay the City’s costs of removal. any costs incurred by the City as a result of the declarant. If a <br />person installs temporary political signs without having filed a declaration of intent, that person or <br />the person on whose behalf the signs are installed, shall be notified to remove the signs and <br />shall immediately remove such signs or pay the cost of removal by the City. <br /> <br />Articles 21, 22, 27, and 28: Process Changes <br /> <br />Staff proposes amendments to Part V of the Zoning Code, which governs the processing of <br />applications. In general, the bulk of the Zoning Code amendments shift requirements from a <br />Conditional Use Permit to an Administrative Review, which helps to streamline new <br />development. However, staff believes that the current description of an Administrative Review in <br />the Zoning Code lacks detail and omits any form of public notice. While staff believes that <br />streamlining is needed, there should be some instances where public notice is conducted. <br /> <br />In the area of Appeals and Amendments, a series of clarifications are needed for process <br />descriptions. In addition, the timelines specified for hearings to be conducted, currently set at 45 <br />days, is not practical under current deadlines for scheduling items on City Council meeting <br />agendas. As such, staff recommends allowing for up to 60 days. <br /> <br />The following summarizes the changes proposed: <br /> <br />Article 21 Zoning Permits Required; Environmental Review; Fees and Deposits <br /> <br />• Specifies that conditions of approval may be placed on a development application for a <br />Zoning Permit, as outlined in Article 21 Zoning Permits.