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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Business Council Committee - Meeting Date: 5/16/2019MINUTES BUSINESS COUNCIL COMMITTEE CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM 2A 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019 2:00 PM CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 2 PM. ROLL CALL Committee members present: Vice Mayor Chairperson Joyce Clark, Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff, Councilmember Ray Malnar, Yvonne Knaack, Ricardo Toris, John Crow, and Dale Adams Committee members absent: David Coble and Vice Chairperson Bart Shea City staff present: Eric Fitzer (Development Services Director), David Williams (Planning Administrator), Justine Cornelius (Building Safety Administrator) CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizens present, so Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark did not call for citizen comments. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion to approve the April meeting minutes was made by Councilmember Tolmachoff and it was seconded by Councilmember Malnar. ITEMS A. Review of the Sign Ordinance, Section 7.100 Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark asked for any comments, questions, or concerns in regards to the sign ordinance, and Ms. Knaack suggested heavily devoting the committee to reviewing the sign ordinance. Ms. Knaack also suggested inviting speakers from sign companies to help the committee develop a solid understanding of the code and the needs and preferences that work best for the city. Councilmember Malnar asked when consultants could meet with the city staff to understand the codes, and Mr. Fitzer stated that a contract for the zoning and sign codes should be ready for review in June. Mr. Fitzer also stated that he would like to compile a list of policies that the committee would like to change, and then present these to the consultant for review and adjustment. Mr. Adams expressed concern with Glendale's advertising taxes, and after a brief discussion, Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark suggested discussing this further once more information is brought to the next meeting. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark suggested simplifying the diction and organization of the codes, and asked the committee to consider modeling their sign codes after Surprise or Peoria's codes. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark stated that temporary signage is an issue in Glendale because, more often than not, it's unsightly. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark would like to have Glendale create a process for handling signage better for older or remodeling businesses. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark then asked if there were any other comments, and Mr. Toris noted that there needs to be consideration for all types of signage: pedestrian signage and signage on a larger scale (freeways and major streets). Mr. Adams agreed with Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark's previous comment about creating simplistic sign ordinances and added that signs should be easier and more simplistic for citizens and visitors. Councilmember Malnar added that collaborating with consultants to help create a better sign ordinance would benefit everyone. Councilmember Tolmachoff asked how this process with consultants would work, and Mr. Fitzer suggested that the consultant would come to the Business Council Committee meetings to collaborate and update the sign code. Mr. Williams stated that the updating process of the sign ordinance to start in July. Mr. Toris added that codes regarding perimeter signage, internal signage, and pedestrian signage need stronger formatting and structure. This is due to the fact that, based on the current code, anyone can easily request amendments. Mr. Adams stated that signage size and color needs to have some restrictions as well. Ms. Knaack also stated that looking at character area zoning needs to be addressed. After a conversation of PAD zoning and modifications, the committee returned to the sign ordinance discussion. Ms. Knaack confirmed that the temporary sign issues are of great concern because 75% of the people who erect temporary signs do not go to the city for permits first. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark suggested that the committee invites representatives from the sign industry and a consultant to next BCC meeting. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark questioned the biased nature of the group since the representatives in the group would be within the sign industry. Mr. Fitzer explained that it's balanced well through the public process. In addition, Mr. Fitzer suggested having the consultant and sign industry professionals attend a committee meeting in a few months; Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark agreed to have the committee table the signage discussion and suggested focusing on another committee task in the June meeting. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark asked what the primary directive should be for the sign ordinances, and various people responded with a need for balance, ease of comprehension, retention, process, and the overall enforcement is challenging. Mr. Toris stated that time management, enforcement, and review are issues which need to be adjusted to make the sign ordinance more business friendly. Ms. Knaack noted that many people skip the city involvement by either going to Phoenix for signage or they order their signage online. The hope is that, with the updates of this outdated ordinance, many of these issues will naturally be fixed. Councilmember Tolmachoff wondered how businesses will be handled who may be in compliance currently but would be out of compliance with the new changes they will make. Mr. Williams stated that as long as the businesses are in compliance and have a permit prior to the changes, then their signs will be in compliance. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark expressed concern that many of the signs currently present are not permitted, so there will be many problems in the future. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark suggested an educational campaign for businesses to become aware of the necessary permits for signs (temporary or otherwise). Ms. Knaack stated that there should be a discussion regarding building owners' sign allowances for their tenants. 2 Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark stated that the June meeting will focus on city parking, and in the August meeting, there will be the sign ordinance discussion with sign industry professionals and a consultant. OTHER BUSINESS Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark made note of Dave Coble's retirement, and Mr. Coble's position needs to be filled by someone who is technically -oriented. STAFF REPORT No staff reports were discussed. COMMITTEE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Mr. Toris asked if the committee should review in regards to parking prior to the next meeting. Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark explained that largest issues with are sizes of spaces and the number of spaces available per business. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will take place on June 20th, 2019, at 2 PM. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Vice Mayor Chairperson Clark. The meeting adjourned at approximately 3:15 PM. Sherry Crapser, Recording Secretary 3