TITLE: Title
Request-to-Set a Public Hearing on a Land Use Ordinance Amendment Relating to Signage
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Board of Aldermen to consider setting a public hearing on a text amendment to the Land Use Ordinance regarding signs for places of worship.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christina Moon - 919-918-7325; Bob Hornik - 919-929-3905; Patricia McGuire - 919-918-7327
INFORMATION: Article XVII of the Land Use Ordinance contains the provisions relating to signage. Section 15-272 describes those situations where signage is exempt from regulations such as residential property identification (address and owner names), governmental signs for information, traffic, directions, and church identification. In the case of rural churches, the existing maximum size for these signs may not always provide sufficient space to include identification, directional and bulletin board information.
Section 15-321 of the Land Use Ordinance provides an opportunity for staff to suggest an amendment to the text of the LUO for public benefit. A draft ordinance has been prepared which, if adopted, would increase the maximum sign size for church identification from sixteen square feet to twenty-four square feet. The description of the applicable use classification has been changed from "church" to "house of worship" to be more inclusive, and the description of the land use classification 5.200 in the Table of Permissible Uses has been expanded to include the term, "house of worship" in addition to church, synagogue and temple.
The Board of Aldermen must receive public comments before adopting amendments to the Land Use Ordinance. Orange County and Planning Board review are also needed.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Public hearings involve staff and public notice costs associated with advisory board and Board of Aldermen review.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Board of Aldermen consider the attached...
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