Community Input Meeting #1 March 25 & 26, 2009

March 25, 2009 Introduction City Staff & Project Team Sign Code Update focus: signage regulations for the Downtown Sign Zone and other commercial and industrial areas –Assess current signage regulations –Update, reorganize –Make easier to use and understand

March 25, 2009 Introduction Purpose of Today’s Meeting –Provide information on signage regulation –Review the update process –Foster discussion and get feedback

March 25, 2009 Signs: Ultimate Considerations Legal Considerations Signs are a form of speech Regulations cannot control content

March 25, 2009 Signs: Ultimate Considerations Legal Considerations The City can only regulate the time, place, and manner of sign displays. –Time: Duration for which a sign is displayed. –Place: Where a sign is located. –Manner: What size and type of sign is displayed.

March 25, 2009 Signs: Ultimate Considerations Clarity and Ease of Use Good codes are reader friendly and logically organized

March 25, 2009 Signs: Ultimate Considerations Purpose of all Good Codes No universal sign code – tailored to the community A good code allows the level of signage that supports the community’s objectives for urban design and economic development.

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Free-standing Sign –Not attached to a building

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Billboard/Supergraphics –Billboard: A sign that is either a poster panel (12’ x 24’) or a painted bulletin (14’ x 48’) –Supergraphics: vinyl signs with images that are larger than billboards typically put on sides of buildings

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Monument Sign –Free-standing sign resting on the ground or on a monument base designed as an architectural unit with the sign

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Pylon Sign –Large free-standing sign that is supported by one or more structural elements designed as an architectural unit with the sign

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Pole Sign –Free-standing sign supported by metal or wood posts, pipes, or other vertical supports

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Banner Sign –Sign on cloth or other flexible material which projects from or hangs from a building, pole, or wire

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Attached Sign –Sign that is part of a building or other improvement or is attached to a building or other improvement

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Awning Sign –Sign on an awning

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Fin Sign/Arcade Sign –Fin Sign: Two-sided projecting sign intended to be viewed from the side –Arcade Sign: A sign suspended from the ceiling of a covered walkway and oriented perpendicular to the building.

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Marquee –Projecting sign that is part of a permanent entryway or entry canopy and traditionally associated with theaters

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Vertical Projecting Sign –Projecting sign located vertically along several floors on the façade of a building

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Flat-Mounted Sign –Sign mounted flush against or parallel to the surface of a building facade

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Skyline Sign –Flat-mounted sign at the top floor of a building which does not project above the cornice or parapet of the building

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Roof Sign –Sign that projects above the wall of a building or is attached to a structure located on a roof

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Inflatable or Balloon Sign –Sign consisting of a flexible envelope of nonporous materials and shaped from inserted air or other gas

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Programmable Display Sign –Animated sign consisting of individual electronic elements or mechanical grids that create still or moving images or words

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Temporary Sign –Sign placed for a limited duration of time

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Types Window Sign –A sign applied directly onto a window or internal to the window within 12” of the window –Visible from public right- of-way

March 25, 2009 Basic Sign Terminology Sign Lighting Lighting options: –Internal lighting –Indirect (external) lighting

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose We would like your input on the key issues identified so far.

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose Billboards/supergraphics in Downtown –Currently not allowed. –To what extent should they be allowed?

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose Electronic signage (programmable display signs) –Currently allowed on a very limited basis. –To what extent should they be allowed Downtown and elsewhere in the City?

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose Freeway/pylon signs for shopping centers –Currently not allowed. –To what extent should they be allowed?

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose Appropriate amount of signage –What type, size and number of signs should be allowed?

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose Placement of signage –What is the appropriate location of signs on a building?

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose Quality of design and materials –How can regulations encourage creative and high quality signs?

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose Art displays in Downtown –How to allow for art displays that are considered signs?

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose Signage on news racks in the public right-of- way –Should they be allowed?

March 25, 2009 Key Issues in San Jose A-Frame Signs –Currently allowed in the Downtown and the Lincoln Avenue and The Alameda Neighborhood Business Districts (NBDs) –Should they be allowed in all NBDs?

March 25, 2009 Discussion Are there other key issues that should be added? What signage issues are important to you?

Next Steps Send additional comments to: Carol Hamilton at Phase II - April 22 and 23, 2009