Item #8 - CONSIDERATION OF INITIATION OF CODE AMENDMENT NO. 19-05 (BILLBOARD STANDARDS AND LEG SIGNS) - GENERAL EXEMPTIONAGENDA ITEM NO.8
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE: September 17, 2019
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
City Manager
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF INITIATION OF CODE AMENDMENT NO. 19-05 (BILLBOARD
STANDARDS AND LED SIGNS) - GENERAL EXEMPTION
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO.2019-70 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, INITIATING CODE AMENDMENT NO. 19-05 TO STUDY
BILLBOARD STANDARDS AND BUILDING MOUNTED LED SIGNS
DISCUSSION:
At the July 2, 2019 City Council Meeting, Mayor Johnson requested to initiate a code amendment to consider
allowing billboards in the City. The proposed code amendment would evaluate the following types of signs:
1. Digital billboards along the San Bernardino (10) Freeway,
2. Building -mounted LED signs on high rise buildings along the San Bernardino (10) Freeway.
High rise buildings would be defined as buildings greater than five (5) stories in height. As part of the review of
the proposed code amendment, staff will provide information on regulations and requirements from Cal Trans and
the Federal government because of federal highways. The proposed code amendment would also take into account
existing freeway -oriented advertising signs and free-standing signs (including those with readerboards) and
potential replacement with digital billboards.
The sign standards are included in the Zoning Code, which require the adoption of a resolution by the Planning
Commission or City Council to initiate a code amendment. Once initiated, Staff will research billboard regulations,
ordinances of other cities, and potential development standards. Subsequently, study sessions will be scheduled
with the Planning Commission prior to the creation of a draft ordinance. An e-notification process will be
established to allow those that have an interest to be notified of the study sessions and public hearings related to the
code amendment.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options:
1. Approve staffs recommendation;
2. Decline to initiate the code amendment; or
3. Provide alternative direction.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The proposed code amendment is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines in that it consists of a code amendment to the Municipal
Code, which does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Prepared by: Jeff Anderson, Community Development Director
Attachments
Attachment No. 1 - Initiation Resolution
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES: Engage in Proactive Economic Development
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION N0.2019-70
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, INITIATING CODE
AMENDMENT NO. 19-05 TO STUDY BILLBOARD STANDARDS
AND BUILDING MOUNTED LED SIGNS
WHEREAS, on July 2, 2019, the City Council requested the initiation of a code
amendment to consider allowing billboard signs along the 10 freeway and large LED signs
on high rise buildings in the West Covina Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the studies and investigations made by the City Council and in its behalf
reveal the following facts:
1. On July 2, 2019, the City Council discussed the concept of a code amendment, and
referral to the Plamting Commission to consider allowing digital billboards and
large LED signs along the 10 freeway and on tall buildings.
2. City Council further requested:
a) It is appropriate to create standards of design for digital billboards and high
rise building mounted LID signs on buildings taller than five (5) stories.
b) Discussion on concern about potential clutter with billboards/signs and to
consider a limit on the number of billboards allowed along the freeway,
with the concept of a possibility of limiting the number to six.
c) A study and analysis on regulations and requirements from Cal Trans and
the Federal government because of federal highways.
3. The proposed action is considered to be exempt from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of
the CEQA Guidelines, in that the proposed action consists of a code amendment,
which does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the
environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of West
Covina, in conformance with Section 26-153(a)(2) of the West Covina Municipal Code, does
hereby initiate an application for a Code Amendment related to the sign regulation section of
the Municipal Code.
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City Council Resolution No.2019-70
Code Amendment No. 19-05
September 17, 2019 -Page 2
APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 171h day of September 2019.
Lloyd Johnson
Mayor
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City Clerk Nickolas Lewis
I, CARRIE GALLAGBER, CITY CLERK of the City of West Covina, California, do
hereby certify that the forgoing resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the
City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting held thereof on the 17th day of
September, 2019 by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
City Clerk Carrie Gallagher
City Attorney
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