City of San Antonio - File #: 15-5623

• File #: 15-5623
• Type: Staff Briefing - Without Ordinance
• In control: Governance Committee
• On agenda: 10/28/2015
• Posting Language: Briefing and possible action on a council consideration request from Councilman Mike Gallagher, District 10, to review and update City Code Chapter 28 Signs received September 11, 2015. [Erik Walsh, Deputy City Manager; Roderick Sanchez, Director, Development Services]

DEPARTMENT: Development Services

DEPARTMENT HEAD: Roderick Sanchez

COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide

SUBJECT:

City Code Chapter 28 - Signs - Ordinance Review and Update

SUMMARY:

Council Member Mike Gallagher submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) on September 11, 2015 asking City staff to review, update and amend Chapter 28 titled Signs within the City Code. The CCR request that the San Antonio Development Services Department perform a full review of Chapter 28 and propose changes that 1) address new technologies and products in today's sign industry, 2) provide flexibility to deal with changes in the sign industry, and 3) clarify the intent with regard to signage within the City of San Antonio.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

City Code Chapter 28 Signs of the San Antonio City Code has undergone a number of modifications and amendments over the years trying to keep up with changes in development, market needs, technology and growth within the sign and advertisement industries. Because this code has only been modified but not reviewed as a whole, the issue of signs impedes the interests of the city. Current Chapter 28 code language provides challenges to the sign and business industry, the City's permitting process and the protection of blight within neighborhoods and the overall community. Therefore this CCR asks for a full review of Chapter 28.


ISSUE:

City Code Chapter 28 - Signs includes regulations for the licensing, permitting and posting of signs, limitations on their height, size and setbacks, allowances for on-premises and off-premises signs, weekend and temporary sign programs, schedule of fees, and enforcement and variance procedures. As there has not been a full review of Chapter 28 in its entirety, new technology, products and sign methods such as banners and flag signs along with their material/placement are not adequate to address the needs of today's sign industry, local businesses, and neighborhoods...