CC Ordinance 2055
ORDINANCE NO.
2055
BEING AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCil OF
THE CITY OF CAMPBELL ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM FOR
THE PROCESSING OR APPROVAL OF ANY PERMIT FOR ANY
SIGN THAT INCLUDES IN WHOLE OR IN PART A
READERBOARD SIGN.
THE CITY COUNCil OF THE CITY OF CAMPBEll DOES ORDAIN AS FOllOWS:
SECTION 1: Definitions: The following terms are defined as follows for purposes of this
Ordinance:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
"Electronic message center" is a sign capable displaying changing text
and/or images
"Electronic readerboard sign" is a sign capable displaying changing text
and/or images;
"Manual readerboard sign" means a sign intended for periodically
changing message whereby the individual letters, words or images are
manually changed from the exterior of the sign;
"Programmable display sign" is a sign capable displaying changing text
and/or images typically controlled by means of electronic programming;
"Programmable message board" means is a sign capable displaying
changing text and/or images typically controlled by means of electronic
programming;
"Readerboard sign ~ means a sign intended for a periodically changing
advertising message, including but not limited to an electronic message
center, electronic readerboard sign, manual readerboard sign,
programmable display sign, or programmable message board.
SECTION 2: Moratorium for the processinQ or approval of anv permit for anv siQn that
includes in whole or in part a readerboard siQn. During the effective dates of this
Ordinance, no readerboard sign can be erected or installed; and the processing or
approval of any permit for any sign that includes a readerboard sign, in whole or in part,
is prohibited.
SECTION 3: Effective Dates: This Ordinance shall remain in effect until it is repealed
by the City Councilor until it terminates by operation of law, whichever comes first.
SECTION 4: FindinQs: This Ordinance is declared an urgency measure and shall be in
full force and effect upon its enactment. There is an urgent need for enactment of this
ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare
in that there is a current and immediate threat to the public health, safety or welfare
City Council Urgency Ordinance
Moratorium on Reader Board Signs
Page 2 of 3
such that the approval of additional subdivisions, use permits, variances, building
permits, or any other applicable entitlement for readerboard signs which is required in
order to comply with a zoning ordinance of the City would result in that threat to public
health, safety, or welfare, as follows:
. The City Community Development (planning) Department is in the process of
developing revised zoning regulations for readerboard signs for consideration by the
Planning Commission and City Council, regarding their prohibition or location, size,
features and placement to enable the public to locate goods, services, and facilities
without difficulty and confusion, to prevent the wasteful use of resources in
competition among businesses for attention, to prevent hazards to life and property,
to assure the continued attractiveness of the community, and to protect property
values;
. Approval of readerboard signs prior to the development of the regulations now under
study would create inconsistent and conflicting use of readerboard signs in a manner
and in locations that would be injurious to the aesthetics of the community, and
would create potential traffic hazards;
. Electronic readerboard signs are inconsistent with the General Plan goals for the
community's character including the following:
Goal LUT -4: A colT)munity that has strong identity, community
image and "sense of place"
Policy LUT-4: Ensure projects comply with the recommendations of
the Campbell Community Design Study.
Strategy LUT-5.3a: Commercial Centers: Review the design, use
and upgrading of commercial centers via the discretionary permit
process, and ensure that conditions of approval are adopted that
require businesses to be well kept and operated in a way that limits
impacts to adjacent uses.
Goal LUT-6: Strong and identifiable City boundaries that provide a
sense of arrival into the City and its districts to reinforce Campbell's
quality small town image.
Readerboard signs do not contribute to a strong community identity, do not comply with
the Campbell Community Design Study in that these types of signs are typically found in
the center of large urban areas and are inconsistent with Campbell's quality small town
image when used for commercial purposes.
Electronic readerboard signs are inconsistent with the purpose statement of the Sign
Ordinance including the following:
A. To preserve and improve the visual quality of the City;
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City Council Urgency Ordinance
Moratorium on Reader Board Signs
Page 3 of 3
B. To eliminate hazards to pedestrians and motorists brought
about by distracting sign displays;
C. To ensure architectural compatibility with adjacent buildings
and the surrounding environment;
D. To promote the economic vitality of the City by maintaining
the identification, visibility and individual character of each
business.
The proliferation of manual and/or electronic readerboard signs would detract from the
visual quality of the City due to their potential to be visually cluttered and distracting.
These types of signs also have the potential created distractions to pedestrians and
motorists if used in an animated fashion at inappropriate locations. The over
proliferation of such signs will create a chaotic environment that is not architecturally
compatible with the buildings and their surrounding environment within the community.
The use of readerboard signs does not promote the economic vitality of the City by
maintaining the identification, visibility and individual character of each business in that
the use of readerboard signs creates distracting visual environment the makes the
identification of businesses more difficult.
SECTION 4: Exception to the Moratorium. Approved Applications:
Readerboard signs that have received final approval of all permits, other than Building
Permits, required by Title 21 of the Campbell Municipal Code prior to the effective date
of this Ordinance that are not the subject of a pending appeal and that have not expired
are exempt from the terms of this moratorium.
t
SECTION 5: Publication Clause: The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be
published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation and circulated in the City
within 15 days after its adoption in accordance with Government Code Section 36933,
shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause this Ordinance and her
certification, together with proof of publication, to be entered into the Book of
Ordinances of the Council of the City of Campbell.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this
call vote:
7th
day of
June, 2005, by the following roll
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
COUNCILMEMBER$:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
APPROV
~
Anne Bybee, City Clerk
Burr, Hernandez, Furtado, Watson, Kennedy
None
ATTEST:
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