DRAFT Resolution on Electronic Billboards

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Don Zimmerman
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Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:05 am

DRAFT Resolution on Electronic Billboards

Post by Don Zimmerman »

DRAFT RESOLUTION NO _______________

WHEREAS, electronic billboard technology has become the best available and most environmentally-appropriate mechanism for displaying outdoor advertising over the past ten years; and

WHEREAS, electronic billboards are more efficient than non-electronic billboards so can allow businesses to have the benefit of the same amount of advertising as with non-electronic billboards but with a smaller number of billboards throughout the city; and

WHEREAS, because electronic advertisements are more efficient and do not require the same volume of materials, labor, and time to produce, small and local businesses uniquely benefit from them because they allow these businesses advertise at more affordable rates; and

WHEREAS, electronic billboards are currently prohibited under the City Code; and

WHEREAS, on November 30, 2015, the City Council Public Safety Subcommittee considered amendment of Section 25-10 of the City Code to make electronic billboards legal within the city of Austin; and

WHEREAS, the Committee voted to recommend that the full Council consider such amendment at its next available opportunity.

WHEREAS, on January 28, 2016, the City Council approved a resolution directing the City Manager to:

(a) seek community stakeholder input to ascertain support for these proposed amendments to Section 25-10 of the City Code; and

(b) bring a recommendation to City Council no later than May 27, 2016; and

WHEREAS, the result of the stakeholder process was that the majority of stakeholders were in support of the proposed amendments.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN:

The Council hereby initiates amendment of 25-10 of the City Code to incorporate the following changes thereto:

1. eliminate the prohibition of conversion of current non-electronic billboards to electronic billboards;

2. change the regulations regarding separation of billboards from residences, historic sign districts, and mixed use buildings to require that the distance between such uses be measured along the roadway on which the billboard is erected;

3. clarify that billboard height shall be measured from the highest travel lane adjacent to the billboard rather than from the ground level street pavement;

4. prescribe a review timeline for billboard relocation applications, billboard replacement applications, and applications to convert non-electronic billboards to electronic billboards;

5. add regulations regarding the maximum brightness in lumens and image movement that will be required of electronic billboards and how the same will be measured;

6. clarify that only the owner of a billboard may apply to relocate or change the billboard, including applying to convert it from non-electronic to electronic;

7. allow the sign face size of a relocated sign to be up to the maximum allowed sign face size permitted under Section 25-10; and

8. eliminate the requirement that an additional sign must be removed within 25 years following a sign relocation.


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED

The City Manager is instructed to present a recommended ordinance amendment to the Planning Commission at the Commission’s next available meeting and to present the recommended ordinance amendment and Planning Commission recommendation to the Council by February 2, 2017.


ADOPTED:____________________, 2016 ATTEST: ____________________
Jannette S. Goodall
City Clerk
Don Zimmerman
Council Member District 6 (northwest Austin)