Label
Zoning & Planning Committee
Title
Amending Toledo Municipal Code (TMC), Part Thirteen, Subsection 1389.06, regarding the regulation of Electronic Message Centers in the Sign Code; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The request is a Text Amendment regarding TMC 1389.06 Animated Changing Signs. This section contains the current regulations for Electronic Message Centers (EMCs). EMCs are a type of sign that can change their content digitally and makes it easier to convey multiple pieces of information. The current interpretation of City regulations allow an EMC on any sign type, but only in two zoning districts: Regional Commercial areas with a Shopping Center overlay (CR-SO) and Downtown Commercial (CD) areas.
This referral was initiated due to the amount of waiver requests received by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and the lack of guidelines in the sign code for EMCs. The BZA requested that the Plan Commission and City Council study the issue further and provide additional guidance. Toledo City Council made an official request via Resolution 259-16, which included draft language for consideration. Planning staff reviewed the proposed legislation and conducted research on other communities and analyzed the impact of various policies in Toledo. Meetings were held with the sign industry and other stakeholders to better understand issues and concerns with this signage type. A forum was also held with local business members of the Toledo Chamber of Commerce to discuss the proposed legislation.
RESEARCH
Staff researched three different categories of communities: a) six (6) large cities in Ohio, b) seven (7) smaller, nearby suburban communities and c) seven (7) cities that are similar in population. These categories provide a qualitative look at various policies regarding EMCs and signage from different perspectives and populations.
A complete summary of research is included in Exhibit "A", but some of the findings are presen...
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