Tucson Sign Code Review – Be Heard – All Voices are Important!

tuscon-stock-imageTUCSON, ARIZONA – Have you ever wished for changes in Tucson’s sign code? Are you willing to join others and be heard regarding the City of Tucson staff proposal to update the Sign Code?  METRO PIMA ALLIANCE is encouraging everyone to do just that on Monday, December 5th.

On Monday, the Tucson Planning Commission / Citizen Sign Code Committee will be holding a meeting asking for public input. Bring your specific examples of positive or negative experiences you have had with the City of Tucson sign code since 1985, when the code was last updated!

At this meeting they will review proposed edits derived from the subcommittee’s comments from the last meeting and review and discuss the following City Sign Code Sections:

  1. Citizen Sign Code Committee (Section 7A.13 in Preliminary Draft; Section 3.141-3.148 in current Sign Code)
  2. Site Design Option (Section 7A.7 in Preliminary Draft)
    1. Master Sign Program – Permanent Signs (Section 7A.7.1 in Preliminary Draft)
    2. Master Sign Program – Portable Signs (Section 7A.7.2 in Preliminary Draft)
    3. Individual Sign Design Option (Section 7A.7.3 in Preliminary Draft)

ITEM: SIGN CODE
Planning and Development Services Department is currently working with the Sign Code Subcommittee on revisions to the City’s Sign Code to address the recent Reed v. Town of Gilbert Supreme Court Case as directed by Mayor and Council.  Additionally, as part of those revisions, staff is working to address overall simplification and process improvement items.

ISSUE:
On August, 9, 2016, Mayor and Council gave Planning and Development Services staff direction to initiate a Sign Code revision process to:

1) comply with the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision on Reed v. Town of Gilbert
2) simplify the Sign Code by integrating it into the Unified Development Code, and
3) make practical changes that modernize the Code, improve the quality of design and flexibility of the overall code, and ground it in technical standards.

As part of the process it is recommended that the Citizens Sign Code Committee and the Planning Commission hold joint study sessions and public hearings on the proposed changes to the Sign Code, and that staff return to the Mayor and Council with a recommendation no later than January 2017.

ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF THE SIGN CODE UPDATE INCLUDE:

  1. The Code is out of date (updated in 1985)
  2. Definitions are confusing and in conflict of each other.
  3. Process is cumbersome.

EXAMPLES OF PROPOSED CHANGES:

  • Place Sign Code in the UDC – revise to remove redundancies and add clarifications.
  • Place Sign Code Committee under Planning & Zoning Commission.
  • Clarify and update definitions.
  • Remove existing/natural topography deduction from sight height.
  • Remove redundant sign districts – rely on current UDC zones.
  • Review interpretations – alteration for non-conforming signs, roof signs, maximum sign area.
  • Develop a design option to include a Master Sign Program and design review process.
  • Allow a Planned Area Development (PAD) to have a Master Sign Program.

Improve graphics and special sign district maps.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE SIGN CODE DRAFT DOCUMENT INCLUDE:

  • Changes to the code would make the community less aesthetic.
  • Signs impact individuals and businesses equally and draft segregates individual rights and business rights.
  • The Code is not out of date and updates should only be related to Reed case.
  • Ordinance must be sensitive to dark sky protection and draft does not accomplish this.

ADDITIONAL PROJECT INFORMATION INCLUDED HERE.

Next Meeting, Monday, Dec. 5th, 2:00pm-5:00pm – CALL TO THE AUDIENCE WILL BE AT BEGINNING AND END OF THE MEETING BEING HELD AT:

Pima County Public Works Building
201 North Stone Avenue – Planning & Development Services –
3rd Floor Large Conference Room

Please note: All voices are important and should be heard. Do not assume your opinion isn’t needed at this call to the public!