G-09-04-09-10A2 - 4/9/2009ORDINANCE NO. C�' V- 1. o4 a I- t c ADZ
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3.1400, BY
ADDING SECTION 3.14065, CODE OF ORDINANCES (1995
EDITION), CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, REGARDING
SPECIAL PURPOSE SIGNS IN COMMERCIAL CENTERS; AND
PROVIDING FOR A SAVINGS CLAUSE AND REPEALING
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND
ROCK, TEXAS:
That Chapter 3, Section 3.1400 Code of Ordinances (1995
Edition), City of Round Rock, Texas, is hereby amended by adding
Section 3.14065 which shall read as follows:
3.14065 SPECIAL PURPOSE SIGNS INTERNAL TO COMMERCIAL CENTERS:
(1)
Purpose. It is the purpose of this subsection to establish a temporary program whereby
property owners of Commercial Centers (as defined herein) and business owners
located in said Commercial Centers may place Special Purpose Signs (as defined
herein) in specified locations internal to the Commercial Center for the purpose of
attracting attention to the goods and services offered within the Commercial Center.
These Special Purpose Signs are intended to be seen by persons within the Commercial
Center, and are not intended to be read from any adjacent public right-of-way.
(2) Expiration. Unless specifically extended by the City Council, this subsection shall
expire on, and be of no further effect after April 9, 2010.
(3) Definitions. As used in this subsection 3.14065, the terms below are defined as
follows:
(a) Banner. Any sign printed or displayed upon cloth or other flexible material
which is mounted on a building.
(b) Building Scrim. A display made of a mesh material allowing air, light and
visibility through the material, which wraps a portion of a building.
(c) Commercial Center. A single tract of land or contiguous group of lots
designed as one contiguous development such as a shopping center or office
park and containing more than twelve acres.
(d) Drive Aisle. Vehicle circulation areas on private property internal to a
Commercial Center.
(e) Free Standing Sign. A non -permanent sign typically on one or two metal or
wood stakes or posts that is set up on a temporary basis.
(f) Sandwich Board Sign. A self-supporting flat panel or A -frame sign.
(g) Special Purpose Signs. All Banners, Building Scrim, Sandwich Board Signs,
and Free Standing Signs.
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(4) Special Purpose Signs Permitted. Special Purpose Signs in conformance with the
terms and provisions of this subsection are hereby permitted to be displayed within
Commercial Centers. Prior to displaying any Special Purpose Signs in a Commercial
Center, the owner of such Commercial Center shall file a written application with the
Planning Department on forms provided by such Department. The application shall
include the name and address of the Commercial Center, the name of the owner of the
Commercial Center, the size in acres of the Commercial Center, and any other
information deemed necessary by the Planning Department. Applicant's signature on
the application confirms that Special Purpose Signs meet the requirements of this sub-
section. Upon verification by the Planning Department that such application meets the
requirements of this subsection, said Department shall issue a permit to display Special
Purpose Signs in the Commercial Center. If any Special Purpose Sign in the
Commercial Center is found not to be in compliance with this subsection, the permit
may be revoked.
(5) Standards and Placement of Special Purpose Signs.
(a) Special Purpose Signs are limited to those advertising the Commercial Center
itself or businesses located within the Commercial Center in which the Special
Purpose Signs are placed. All off -premises Special Purpose Signs are
prohibited.
(b) To the extent possible, all Special Purpose Signs shall be oriented so that they
do not face towards any public rights-of-way.
(c) All Special Purpose Signs shall not be internally illuminated.
(d) Free Standing Signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.
(e) Free Standing Signs shall be placed only on private property within the
Commercial Center and within twenty (20) feet of a Drive Aisle or parking
space and at least twenty (20) feet from any public rights-of-way; provided
however that such signs shall not be placed within an existing Public Utility
Easement.
(f) Free Standing Signs shall not be placed in parking spaces.
(g) Free Standing Signs shall be placed so that they do not interfere with the
visibility of pedestrians and vehicle drivers.
(h) Free Standing Signs and Sandwich Board Signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in
height.
(i) Sandwich Board Signs shall have no more than ten (10) square feet of sign area
per side, and shall be placed in the pedestrian area that is closest to the public
entrance of the business utilizing the Sandwich Board Sign. Only one (1)
sandwich board shall be permitted per side of a building that has a public
entrance.
(j) Sandwich Board Signs shall be placed so that minimum sidewalk clearance
shall be maintained in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(k) Banner Signs shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet and shall not be
placed across windows or door openings.
(1) Banners and Building Scrim signs shall be placed only on the building of the
business that the sign is advertising.
(m) Building Scrim signs shall be exempt from general height and size requirements
but shall not extend above the roofline of a building.
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II.
A. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, or resolutions in
conflict herewith are expressly repealed.
B. The invalidity of any section or provision of this
ordinance shall not invalidate other sections or provisions
thereof.
C. The City Council hereby finds and declares that
written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of the
meeting at which this Ordinance was adopted was posted and that
such meeting was open to the public as required by law at all
times during which this Ordinance and the subject matter hereof
were discussed, considered and formally acted upon, all as
required by the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government
Code, as amended.
Alternative 1.
By motion duly made, seconded and passed with an
affirmative vote of all the Council members present, the
requirement for reading this ordinance on two separate days was
dispensed with.
41A
READ, PASSED, and ADOPTED on first reading this 6 day
of , 2009.
Alternative 2.
READ and APPROVED on first reading this the day of
, 2009.
READ, APPROVED and ADOPTED on second reading this the
day of , 2009.
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ALAN MCGRAW, Mayor
City of Round Rock, Texas
ATTEST:
S L. WHITE, City Secretary
DATE: April 1, 2009
SUBJECT: City Council Meeting — April 9, 2009
ITEM: 10A2. Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 3, Section 3.1400, Code of
Ordinances, regarding special purpose signs internal to Commercial Centers.
(First Reading)
Department:
Staff Person:
Justification:
Planning and Community Development
Jim Stendebach, Planning and Community Development Director
The purpose of this amendment is to allow certain types of temporary signs in specified locations on
private property in commercial centers. This amendment applies to retail shopping centers and office
parks that are greater than 12 acres. This amendment serves to address requests by commercial center
developers for additional signage for businesses during the economic downturn. This amendment is
designed to be temporary and would expire on December 31, 2010.
Funding:
Cost: N/A
Source of funds: N/A
Outside Resources: N/A
Background Information:
A presentation was made concerning temporary signs for commercial centers at the February City
Council retreat and at the March 26th City Council meeting. Research was conducted by the Planning
Department to obtain input from commercial center management companies on the types of temporary
signs that would be appropriate.
Public Comment: N/A