HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/05/1989, C-7 - FREEWAY BUSINESS DIRECTORY SIGN PROGRAM ,�1 lIVl7 AGENDA
city o� san tins owpo -4A7E iTaw
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COUNCIL NIDA REPORT
FROM: Randy Rossi, Interim Qm1unity Development Director; By: Gary PricQV
SUBJECT: Freeway Business Directory Sign Program
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution asking the League of California Cities to support legislation to allow
city-sponsored business sign programs along state highways.
BACKGROUND
In concert with council direction, an ARC Subcommittee and staff are pursuing ways to
develop a directory sign program for freeway-oricnted businesses. One of the main goals
has been to develop a uniform signing program in the freeway right-of-way. With the
exception of the logo identification sign program along rural Interstate 5, staff found j
that the the California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) restricts advertising
within freeway right-of-ways.
During several meetings with Cal Trans, representatives indicated that that agency would
be opposed to a logo sign program in urban areas where there is an abundance of
freeway-oriented signs and numerous freeway access ramps. A key element in their
opposition has been the concern for motorist safety due to distraction of advertising
signs. Cal Trans has also noted a concern that administering privately-sponsored sign
programs could lead to subjective judgements about appropriate sign design and
placement.
The subcommittee recognizes the validity of Cal Trans' concerns. We have designed a
freeway identification program which, we believe, responds to those concerns. The
program would require a change to the Streets and Highways Code, allowing cities or
counties to develop sign programs that would be reviewed and approved by Cal Trans.
Since Cal Trans personnel are reluctant to lend their support to such a change, it may be
difficult to get approval from the state legislature. The subcommittee is therefore
recommending that the city obtain support and sponsorship from the League of California
Cities for this legislation.
Attached are:
# A resolution to be adopted by the council, asking the League of California Cities to
support legislation to allow city- or county-sponsored business sign programs along
state highways.
• A resolution to be adopted by the League at its annual conference October 22 - 24,
1989, if recommended by its Transportation and Public Works Policy Committee. This
resolution says that the league will support the legislation.
To address concerns of Cal Trans, the program would only apply to cities or counties
actively pursuing sign amortization programs which have demonstrated removal of larger
freeway-oriented business identification and directional signs and billboards. To build
more objectivity into the program, Cal Trans would set standards and be responsible for
the administration of the program. Cal Trans could then standardize criteria for
placement, number and size of signs. The participating city or county would be
responsible for the cost, design, installation and maintenance of freeway signing. - �_/
i Clay 0 f san LUl50Bispo ;
WNIGe COUNCIL AGENOA REPORT•
Page 2
Freeway signing
LEAGUE CONFERENCE PROCEDURES
To allow action at this year's League conference, the League resolution must be received
by the League by September 7, 1989. It would then be referred to the League's
Transportation and Public Works Policy Committee for review and recommendation. The
policy committee will meet on September 21 or 22, 1989, to make preliminary
recommendations on resolutions. The committee will also meet Sunday afternoon, October
22, 1989, to finalize their recommendations to the General Resolutions Committee.
Council members are encouraged to attend these meetings to represent city support of the
resolution. During the general business session of the League Conference on October 24,
1989, the resolution would be finally considered by the General Assembly.
SUBCOMMITTEE COMMENTS
The Freeway Signing Subcommittee members have reviewed the league resolution and are
recommending the council forward it to the league as written, except that one member
wants to point out that the resolution says the signs will be paid for by cities or
counties. She felt the ultimate legislation should allow for the signs being paid for by
private groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce. Staff feels the resolution does not
preclude cities or counties from negotiating with business interest groups for the
production of signs.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT TAKING AN ACTION
If the council does not support forwarding the resolution, the subcommittee would not
.pursue approaching the League of California Cities for support. Other means for
introducing legislation (such as through local representatives) may be attempted. If the
council no longer finds freeway right-of-way signing for businesses an appropriate method
to address these businesses' concerns, the subcommittee will consider other options, such
as allowing larger signs for businesses near the highway or providing limited signing on
private property that is visible from the highway.
Since the deadline for resolution submittal for the 1989 League Conference is September
7, 1989, the council should consider this item at tonight's meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the attached resolution asking for the League of California Cities' support of
legislation to allow city- or county-sponsored business sign programs along state
highways.
Attachments: draft resolutions
draft cover letter from the Mayor
excerpt from the California Street and Highways Code
I
• l ] ]Y�{r1r \A ,- r sY 2l A.!r ♦ t_ � rr4�Aca.... yj,"x. `{ 'tv, - 1
RESOLUTION BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION
ALLOWING CITIES AND COUNTIES TO DEVELOP BUSINESS LOGO
SIGNING PROGRAMS FOR STATE HIGHWAYS
WHEREAS, many cities and counties have removed larger business identification and
directional signs and billboards or are pursuing sign amortization programs to remove
signs that clutter highways, distract the travelling public and block or disrupt vistas
and scenic resources along highways; and
WHEREAS, many businesses, such as gas stations, motels and restaurants along
highways are economically dependent on business from highway users attracted to and
directed by freeway-oricntcd signs, and
WHEREAS, Title 4, Chapter 6 of the California Code of Regulations restricts
outdoor advertising signs along highways to official, public utility, service club,
public directional and private directional signs; and
WHEREAS, Section 101.7. of the California Streets and Highways Code allows the
placement of business logo information signs in advance of state highway exits along a
section of Interstate Route 5 to identify roadside businesses available to serve highway
users;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE 1T RESOLVED, by the General Assembly of the Lcaeu
California Cities, assembled in Annual Conference in San Francisco, October ,,
1959, that the League support legislation to allow cities or counties to develop 1,::
logo sign programs, similar to that used along Interstate Route 5, to allow for a urs_
method of business identification at convenient locations within the state highw :,
right-of-way in lieu of larger advertising signs and devices along the highway pro\-[,:
that:
1. The city or county is actively pursuing a sign amortization program and has
satisfactorily demonstrated, to the California Department of Transportation, the
removal of larger freeway-oricntcd signs including, but not limited to business
identification and directional signs and billboards.
2. The city or county is responsible for the cost, design, installation and
maintenance of the sign program.
3. The design of the signage is consistent with standards adopted by the California
Department of Transportation.
4. The California Department of Transportation is responsible for the review and
approval of the sign program.
i
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Freeway signing resolution
Page 2
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On motion of seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this _day of 1959:
i
Mayor
ATTEST:,
Citi• Clerk
APPROVED:
City Ad in
istrative Officer
City Attorn y
/�g71Gt�GG����2ye,
Commonity.Development Director
I
RESOLUTION NO. (1989 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO ASKING THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO ALLOW CITY- OR COUNTY-
SPONSORED BUSINESS SIGN PROGRAMS ALONG STATE HIGHWAYS
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings, That this council, after consideration of the
subcommittee and staff recommendations and reports thereon, makes the following findings:
1. The City of San Luis Obispo is actively pursuing a sign amortization program to
remove signs that clutter highways, distract the travelling public and block or
disrupt vistas and scenic resources along highways; and
2. Many businesses, such as gas stations, motels and restaurants along highways arc
economically dependent on business from highway users attracted to and directed by
freeway-oriented signs and;
3. Section 101.7. of the California Streets and Highways Code allows the placem:-
business logo information signs in advance of state highway exits alo t ----
interstate Route 5 to identify roadside businesses available to serve hic;-, .
this program has been successful in directing travelers to businesses d:;.': .
highway users; and
4. Title 4, Chapter 6 of the California Code of Regulations presently restrict i.
advertising signs along highways to official, public utility, service club, P:.:)1..
directional and private directional signs.
5. Cities or counties other than San Luis Obispo have similar problems which could 1 .
solved by amending the Streets and Highways code to allow Highway 5 logo signs
throughout the state.
SECTION 2. Action, That the attached resolution be forwarded for consideration
by the League of California Cities, assembled in Annual Conference in San Fransisco,
October 22 - 24, 1989, to support legislation to give cities or counties the option to
develop business logo sign programs, similar to that used along Interstate Route 5, to
allow for a uniform method of business identification at convenient locations within the
state highway right-of-way in lieu of larger advertising signs and devices along the
highway.
I
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Freeway signing resolution
Page 2
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On motion of seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT'.
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this _day of 1984'
� Mayor
ATTEST:
Citi' Cl--rk
APPROVED:
C
Qity Ad inistrativc Officer
City Attorn y
16a za
Community Development Director
VIII III city -osAn buts OBISPO
990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100•San Luis Obispo,CA 93403-8100
5 September 1989
TO: League of California Cities
FROM Ron Dunin, Mayor
SUBJECT: Freeway signing legislation request
The City of San Luis Obispo is asking for your help in developing legislation that would
allow cities to develop and install a business logo sign program for the state highways.
We have found that our sign regulations, which we feel in part makes San Luis Obispo an
attractive place to visit, do not provide the visibility needed by freeway-oriented
businesses, such as service stations or motels. Since 1977, when the city adopted a new
set of sign regulations, we have been working to eliminate the large pole signs that '
existed before the regulations. But business owners tell us that the travelling public
search for specific logos ("Motel 6"). They are concerned that without the large signs
the public will not find them easily and their businesses will be significantly affected.
Getting these highway-oriented businesses to remove their large nonconforming signs or to
install smaller signs that conform with our current regulations has been a long,
difficult process involving countless applications for exceptions to the regulations. We
have spoken to representatives of cities throughout the state and found that similar
conflicts between esthetics and economics exist elsewhere as well.
The city's Architectural Review Commission appointed a subcommittee to explore ways to
address businesses' concerns without allowing the sign blight to continue. The option
that looks most promising to the subcommittee and the City Council is uniform signing
including logos within the highway rights-of-way. The California Department of
Transportation (Cal Trans) initiated such a program several years ago. A pilot program
on Interstate Route 5 is in place. After analysis of this program, Cal Trans determined
that this type signing would only be appropriate in rural areas, where distances between
exits are great and existing signing visible from the freeway is limited. Cal Trans
finds that a logo signing program would not be appropiate anywhere on Highway 101.
Our subcommittee has looked at Cal Trans' objections to the logo signing program and
developed conditions to respond to them. The attached resolution outlines the program we
think would work.
We are now asking that you support legislation allowing cities to develop logo signing
programs at their own cost, with Cal Trans' review and approval. We feel that many
cities would benefit from this legislation, that freeway clutter would be reduced and
highway signing standardized, a boon to the travellers. Please refer the attached
resolution to your Transportation and Public Works Policy Committee for review. If you
have questions about the proposal, please call Gary Price. Associate Planner, at (805)
549-7169, or write to the above address.
6
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