Minutes 02/28/1986 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~o FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1986 We first concentrated on the P-1, p-2 and RP-l zones and we have achieved full compliance. This involved the relocation of 18 signs. Our next target was the C-3 Commercial zone. This included streets such as Memorial Boulevard and the east and west portions of Church Street. There were a total of 103 signs not in compliance. As of today 68 have been brought into compliance with the City ordinance. We began giving notices to the owners and operators of businesses in the C-2 zone (CBD) February 24, 1986. There are 26 signs not in compliance as of today. Mr. Worthy's interpretation of Section 15-1.492 of the State Code indi- cates that Section X, Subsection G, Nonconforming Signs adopted in 1980 was not legal and, therefore, any signs erected before April 1980 are permitted to remain as they now exist in their present location so long as the buildings and signs are maintained in their initial structural condition. Except that if the use of a building on which a sign is erected is discontinued for a period of more than two years then all structures and signs must be brought into conformity with the Zoning Ordinance. Your attention is called to Section IV, Nonconformity of the Zoning Ordi- nance: A. Intent. Within the districts established by this ordinance, or amendments that may be later adopted, there exists lots, structures and uses of land and structures which were permitted before this ordinance was adopted or amended, but which would be prohibited under the terms of this ordinance or future amendment. It is the intent of this ordinance to permit these nonconformities, provided they are not otherwise unlawful, to continue until they are removed, but not to encourage their survival. Such uses are declared by this ordinance to be inconpatible with permitted uses in the districts involved. It is further the intent of this ordinance that nonconformities shall not be enlarged upon, expanded nor extended, nor be used as grounds for adding other structures or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district. It was our understanding that Section X, Subsection G, Signs, giving five (5) years to comply with the sign requirements was an effort to fill the overall objective of the Zoning Ordinance related to nonconformities. I am still of the opinion that the long-term objective of the Zoning Ordi- nance is to bring nonconforming structures, signs, etc., into uniform com- pliance with the ordinance. I feel that this was the intent of including Subsection X.D in the sign ordinance in 1980.