Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners August 18, 2008 Workshop Off-Premise Sign Existing Regulations & Proposed Changes Workshop Off-Premise Sign Existing Regulations & Proposed Changes Workshop Department of Planning and Community Development

Existing Off-Premise Sign (a.k.a. Billboard) Facts  Original sign Ordinance adopted in 1996  Revised sign Ordinance adopted in 2005  No new billboards approved since revised Ordinance adopted  There are 44 existing billboards in County

Existing Billboards

Current Billboard Placement Restrictions  Currently under Section 6-18 of Land Development Code, placement is restricted as follows:  No off-premises sign within 2,500 feet of any other off- premises sign  Signs shall not be permitted along or visible from scenic highways or roads being considered by the FDOT to become scenic highways  No signs within 500 feet of a church, school, cemetery, public park, state or national forest, or residential district

Effects of Ordinance Effects of Ordinance  There are currently two conforming billboards in Wakulla County  So, almost all existing billboards can not be replaced if destroyed  Only one new billboard site available for permitting  Along HWY 319, the residential areas restrict most of the potential billboard sites

Need for Change?  In November 2007, the County received a request for a “non- conforming” sign to be updated with an electronic face  Non-conforming means located in a spot not eligible for a new permit today  The current codes prohibit enlargement or enhancement of existing non-conforming signs unless they are changed to a conforming sign  This sparked concern for additional revisions  Board direction to research ways to cap and reduce number of billboards given at December 3, 2007 meeting

Potential Language Change  Add maximum number of total billboards allowed within the County  Example from Leon County Code of Laws Sec (b): (1) Maximum number of permitted off-site signs. The maximum 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 complete application, including proof that the applicant has the valid legal right to place the sign on a parcel, has been received by May 15, Off-site signs for which applications have been received shall not be included in the maximum number of permitted off-site signs unless a certificate of completion for the sign has been issued by the Department of Growth and Environmental Management on or before December 31, (1) Maximum number of permitted off-site signs. The maximum 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 complete application, including proof that the applicant has the valid legal right to place the sign on a parcel, has been received by May 15, Off-site signs for which applications have been received shall not be included in the maximum number of permitted off-site signs unless a certificate of completion for the sign has been issued by the Department of Growth and Environmental Management on or before December 31,  A maximum on electronic message signs could also be included

Cap and Replace  Cap and Replace restrictions can be added in the language as well  Section 7-64 of the City of Tallahassee’s Code of Ordinances implements Cap and Replace  Tallahassee’s Cap and replace restrictions.  Tallahassee’s Cap and replace restrictions.  (2) New off-site advertising signs. A building permit for the construction of a new off-site advertising sign may be issued only after the removal of one existing off-site advertising sign with its supporting structure. …Upon confirmation of the removal of an off- site advertising sign with its supporting structure, a certificate shall be issued … The owner of the certificate may hold the certificate, redeem it for a building permit to construct a new off-site advertising sign, or convey the certificate to a third party.  (2) New off-site advertising signs. A building permit for the construction of a new off-site advertising sign may be issued only after the removal of one existing off-site advertising sign with its supporting structure. …Upon confirmation of the removal of an off- site advertising sign with its supporting structure, a certificate shall be issued … The owner of the certificate may hold the certificate, redeem it for a building permit to construct a new off-site advertising sign, or convey the certificate to a third party.  Ratio could be remove 3 to get 1 or other number the Board sees fit

Cap and Replace  City of Tallahassee uses the following incentives based on an elimination of existing signs under Section 7-64 Paragraph (f).  Incentive for tri-vision or variable message sign upon City's request for removal of off-site advertising sign(s).  a. One tri-vision sign for removal of at least three off-site advertising signs  b. One variable message sign for removal of at least five off-site advertising signs

Topics for Discussion Proposed Changes to the Ordinance  Addition of Cap on Total Allowed Billboards in County  Addition of Cap and Replace Regulations

Next Steps  Ratify today’s Workshop at 9/22 meeting  Proceed with direction given by Commission