Wakulla County Board ofWakulla County Board ofCounty CommissionersCounty Commissioners

August 18, 2008August 18, 2008WorkshopWorkshop

Off-Premise Sign Existing Regulations & Off-Premise Sign Existing Regulations & Proposed Changes WorkshopProposed Changes Workshop

Department of Planning and Community DevelopmentDepartment of Planning and Community Development

Existing Off-Premise Sign Existing Off-Premise Sign (a.k.a. Billboard) Facts (a.k.a. Billboard) Facts

Original sign Ordinance adopted in 1996Original sign Ordinance adopted in 1996

Revised sign Ordinance adopted in 2005Revised sign Ordinance adopted in 2005

No new billboards approved since revised No new billboards approved since revised Ordinance adoptedOrdinance adopted

There are 44 existing billboards in CountyThere are 44 existing billboards in County

Existing BillboardsExisting Billboards

Current Billboard Current Billboard Placement RestrictionsPlacement Restrictions

Currently under Section 6-18 of Land Development Code, Currently under Section 6-18 of Land Development Code, placement is restricted as follows:placement is restricted as follows:

  No off-premises sign within 2,500 feet of any other off-No off-premises sign within 2,500 feet of any other off-premises sign premises sign

Signs shall not be permitted along or visible from scenic Signs shall not be permitted along or visible from scenic highways or roads being considered by the FDOT to highways or roads being considered by the FDOT to become scenic highways become scenic highways

No signs within 500 feet of a church, school, cemetery, No signs within 500 feet of a church, school, cemetery, public park, state or national forest, or residential district public park, state or national forest, or residential district

Effects of Ordinance Effects of Ordinance

There are currently two conforming billboards in There are currently two conforming billboards in Wakulla CountyWakulla County

So, almost all existing billboards can not be replaced if So, almost all existing billboards can not be replaced if destroyeddestroyed

Only one new billboard site available for permitting Only one new billboard site available for permitting Along HWY 319, the residential areas restrict most of Along HWY 319, the residential areas restrict most of

the potential billboard sitesthe potential billboard sites

Need for Change?Need for Change? In November 2007, the County In November 2007, the County

received a request for a “non-received a request for a “non-conforming” sign to be updated with conforming” sign to be updated with an electronic facean electronic face

Non-conforming means located in a Non-conforming means located in a spot not eligible for a new permit spot not eligible for a new permit todaytoday

The current codes prohibit The current codes prohibit enlargement or enhancement of enlargement or enhancement of existing non-conforming signs unless existing non-conforming signs unless they are changed to a conforming signthey are changed to a conforming sign

This sparked concern for additional This sparked concern for additional revisions revisions

Board direction to research ways to Board direction to research ways to cap and reduce number of billboards cap and reduce number of billboards given at December 3, 2007 meetinggiven at December 3, 2007 meeting

Potential Language Potential Language ChangeChange

Add maximum number of total billboards allowed within the CountyAdd maximum number of total billboards allowed within the County Example from Leon County Code of Laws Sec. 10-1833(b):Example from Leon County Code of Laws Sec. 10-1833(b): (1)   (1)   Maximum number of permitted off-site signs.Maximum number of permitted off-site signs.  The maximum   The maximum

number of permitted off-site signs allowed within the County shall be number of permitted off-site signs allowed within the County shall be limited to those existing on April 10, 2007; and those for which a limited to those existing on April 10, 2007; and those for which a complete application, including proof that the applicant has the valid complete application, including proof that the applicant has the valid legal right to place the sign on a parcel, has been received by May legal right to place the sign on a parcel, has been received by May 15, 2007. Off-site signs for which applications have been received 15, 2007. Off-site signs for which applications have been received shall not be included in the maximum number of permitted off-site shall not be included in the maximum number of permitted off-site signs unless a certificate of completion for the sign has been issued signs unless a certificate of completion for the sign has been issued by the Department of Growth and Environmental Management on or by the Department of Growth and Environmental Management on or before December 31, 2007.  before December 31, 2007. 

A maximum on electronic message signs could also be includedA maximum on electronic message signs could also be included

Cap and ReplaceCap and Replace

Cap and Replace restrictions can be added in the language as wellCap and Replace restrictions can be added in the language as well

Section 7-64 of the City of Tallahassee’s Code of Ordinances Section 7-64 of the City of Tallahassee’s Code of Ordinances implements Cap and Replace implements Cap and Replace

Tallahassee’s Cap and replace restrictions.Tallahassee’s Cap and replace restrictions.        (2)   (2)   New off-site advertising signs.New off-site advertising signs.  A building permit for the   A building permit for the

construction of a new off-site advertising sign may be issued only construction of a new off-site advertising sign may be issued only after the removal of one existing off-site advertising sign with its after the removal of one existing off-site advertising sign with its supporting structure. …Upon confirmation of the removal of an off-supporting structure. …Upon confirmation of the removal of an off-site advertising sign with its supporting structure, a certificate shall site advertising sign with its supporting structure, a certificate shall be issued … The owner of the certificate may hold the certificate, be issued … The owner of the certificate may hold the certificate, redeem it for a building permit to construct a new off-site advertising redeem it for a building permit to construct a new off-site advertising sign, or convey the certificate to a third party.  sign, or convey the certificate to a third party. 

Ratio could be remove 3 to get 1 or other number the Board sees fitRatio could be remove 3 to get 1 or other number the Board sees fit

Cap and ReplaceCap and Replace City of Tallahassee uses the following City of Tallahassee uses the following

incentives based on an elimination of existing incentives based on an elimination of existing signs under Section 7-64 Paragraph (f).signs under Section 7-64 Paragraph (f).

Incentive for tri-vision or variable message sign Incentive for tri-vision or variable message sign upon City's request for removal of off-site upon City's request for removal of off-site advertising sign(s). advertising sign(s).

a.   One tri-vision sign for removal of at least a.   One tri-vision sign for removal of at least three off-site advertising signsthree off-site advertising signs

b.   One variable message sign for removal of b.   One variable message sign for removal of at least five off-site advertising signsat least five off-site advertising signs

Topics for DiscussionTopics for Discussion

Proposed Changes to the OrdinanceProposed Changes to the Ordinance

Addition of Cap on Total Allowed Addition of Cap on Total Allowed Billboards in CountyBillboards in County

Addition of Cap and Replace RegulationsAddition of Cap and Replace Regulations

Next StepsNext Steps

Ratify today’s Ratify today’s Workshop at 9/22 Workshop at 9/22 meetingmeeting

Proceed with Proceed with direction given by direction given by CommissionCommission