Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners August 18

Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners August 18, 2008 Workshop Off-Premise Sign Existing Regulations & Proposed Changes Workshop Department of Planning and Community Development

Existing Off-Premise Sign (a. k. a. Billboard) Facts § Original sign Ordinance adopted in 1996 § Revised sign Ordinance adopted in 2005 § No new billboards approved since revised Ordinance adopted § There are 44 existing billboards in County

Existing Billboards

Current Billboard Placement Restrictions § Currently under Section 6 -18 of Land Development Code, placement is restricted as follows: § No off-premises sign within 2, 500 feet of any other offpremises sign § Signs shall not be permitted along or visible from scenic highways or roads being considered by the FDOT to become scenic highways § No signs within 500 feet of a church, school, cemetery, public park, state or national forest, or residential district

Effects of Ordinance § There are currently two conforming billboards in Wakulla County § So, almost all existing billboards can not be replaced if destroyed § Only one new billboard site available for permitting § Along HWY 319, the residential areas restrict most of the potential billboard sites

Need for Change? § In November 2007, the County received a request for a “nonconforming” sign to be updated with an electronic face § Non-conforming means located in a spot not eligible for a new permit today § The current codes prohibit enlargement or enhancement of existing non-conforming signs unless they are changed to a conforming sign § This sparked concern for additional revisions § Board direction to research ways to cap and reduce number of billboards given at December 3, 2007 meeting

Potential Language Change § Add maximum number of total billboards allowed within the County § Example from Leon County Code of Laws Sec. 10 -1833(b): (1) Maximum number of permitted off-site signs. The maximum number of permitted off-site signs allowed within the County shall be limited to those existing on April 10, 2007; and those for which a complete application, including proof that the applicant has the valid legal right to place the sign on a parcel, has been received by May 15, 2007. Off-site signs for which applications have been received shall not be included in the maximum number of permitted off-site signs unless a certificate of completion for the sign has been issued by the Department of Growth and Environmental Management on or before December 31, 2007. § A maximum on electronic message signs could also be included

Cap and Replace § Cap and Replace restrictions can be added in the language as well § Section 7 -64 of the City of Tallahassee’s Code of Ordinances implements Cap and Replace § Tallahassee’s Cap and replace restrictions. § (2) New off-site advertising signs. A building permit for the construction of a new off-site advertising sign may be issued only after the removal of one existing off-site advertising sign with its supporting structure. …Upon confirmation of the removal of an offsite advertising sign with its supporting structure, a certificate shall be issued … The owner of the certificate may hold the certificate, redeem it for a building permit to construct a new off-site advertising sign, or convey the certificate to a third party. § Ratio could be remove 3 to get 1 or other number the Board sees fit

Cap and Replace § City of Tallahassee uses the following incentives based on an elimination of existing signs under Section 7 -64 Paragraph (f). § Incentive for tri-vision or variable message sign upon City's request for removal of off-site advertising sign(s). § a. One tri-vision sign for removal of at least three off-site advertising signs § b. One variable message sign for removal of at least five off-site advertising signs

Topics for Discussion Proposed Changes to the Ordinance § Addition of Cap on Total Allowed Billboards in County § Addition of Cap and Replace Regulations

Next Steps § Ratify today’s Workshop at 9/22 meeting § Proceed with direction given by Commission