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82 3.0 STAFF COMMENTS: <br />3 3.1 Since the Sign Regulations chapter of the Code was amended in May of 2007, the Planning <br />Division has experiences a few challenges with the newly adopted language. Three general <br />5 areas or types of signs (temporary signs, commercial/industrial leasing/sales signs, and Master <br />6 Sign Plan) are discussed below: <br />t. <br />7 <br />88 a. TEMPORARY SIGNS: The problems issue that the Planning Division has experienced <br />are not so much with the definition of a temporary sign (any sign designed or intended to <br />be displayed for a limited period of time) , but more the type (if` not a banner, mobile, <br />portable, "A-Frame" or sandwich board, then what?). The Code supports temporary <br />signs (whatever these are) , grand opening and special event signs (both temporary <br />signs) , but the Planning Division has been challenged with an absence and clarity of <br />allowable physical types of temporary signs. Further, staff has had difficulty explaining <br />what materials can be utilized for a temporary sign. There also seems to be a need to <br />consider additional time allowances for temporary signs and potentially multiple events <br />71, during a calendar year. <br />b. BUSINESS and INDUSTRIAL FOR SALE/LEASE SIGNS: Currently the Code <br />requires: commercial/industrial sales/leasing signs to be installed on the building wall or <br />incorporated into the existing freestanding sign; a wall sign limit of 10 square feet; and <br />1 2 no permit is required, however in a multiple tenant situation, this signage needs to be <br />incorporated into a Master Sign Plan. The Community Development Department does <br />not regulate sign content and has run into a couple of situations where circumstances <br />1� 5 have allowed sale/leasing signs where the only sign on a premise is a for-sale or leasing <br />1� 6 sign. In these instances a sign permit has been required. Additionally, the 10 sq. ft. <br />1 7 limitation for a sales/leasing sign has been challenging given the 75 sq. ft, allowance of a <br />temporary sign. The Planning Division also has concluded these signs as well as others <br />within the permit not required section should be regulated through the permit process <br />since some currently have been regulated with a sign permit. <br />1 1� 2 C. MASTER SIGN PLAN: After one year of working through the Master Sign Plan (MSP) <br />language/process, the Planning Division seeks to establish a more equitable <br />membership/process to the MSP. Currently the process establishes the Development <br />1 1� 5 Review Committee (DRQ as the administrative body charged with reviewing and <br />1 1� 6 approving MSP proposals. However, the composition of the DEC is such that <br />1 1� 7 individuals come from Departments with limited knowledge regarding signs and sign <br />regulations, and lend only a perspective of personal choice versus one related to the <br />Code and/or the MSP criteria. The Planning Division seeks to establish the Community <br />Development Department as the review/approval authority and to appropriately identify <br />1 2 1 the role of the CD Director and City Planner in the process. Since the Planning <br />1 22 Commission hearing the City Planner has concluded that the appeal process also needs <br />1 23 to be amended. Currently a MSP appeal would be forwarded to the Variance Board, <br />1 241 however, the Variance Board has been only created to review and approve/deny <br />1 25 variances. A MSP does not need to meet the "hardship" test like a variance does and <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />