HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem V
PLAN COMMISSION STAFF REPORT JUNE 20, 2023
ITEM V: PUBLIC HEARING: TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE
RELATED TO PROJECTING SIGNS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Applicant: Department of Community Development
Actions Requested:
The City of Oshkosh Department of Community Development requests review and approval of
amendments to the Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance.
Applicable Ordinance Provisions:
Section 30-380 of the Zoning Ordinance establishes the ability of the Common Council, on its
own motion or on petition after first submitting the proposal to the City Plan Commission, to
amend, supplement or change Zoning District boundaries or regulations of the Zoning
Ordinance.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The City of Oshkosh adopted a new zoning ordinance which went into effect on January 1,
2017. Since the adoption of the ordinance, staff has noticed code sections that should be
modified following further examination and discussion with the public, City staff, and
developers. Planning staff has recently received requests for allowing blade signs in addition to
the currently allowed wall signage, specifically for businesses in the Central City. In an effort to
accommodate these pedestrian-oriented businesses, revisions are being proposed to the zoning
ordinance.
ANALYSIS
Staff proposes amendments to the following Zoning Ordinance code section:
Section 30-271 (B)(3)(c) regarding Projecting Signs
Create Section (vi) to include “blade signs” and describe as located near the ground floor,
typically hanging below awnings or canopies, and intended to provide information to
pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Create Section (vii) to specify that blade signs are allowed in addition to the total permitted wall
signage for a given site, each business is permitted one (1) blade sign with a maximum area of 2
sq. ft. Renumber existing Section (vi) to Section (viii).
These amendments are intended to allow an additional 2 sq. ft. blade sign for businesses in
buildings that are already at the maximum wall signage area, as often seen for buildings in the
Item V - Text Amendments-Zoning Ordinance 2
downtown area with relatively narrow storefronts. This will provide businesses the ability to
display a pedestrian-oriented projecting sign. All projecting/blade signs that extend over the
public right-of-way must be approved by the Department of Public Works through an
encroachment agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Plan Commission recommend approval of the proposed
amendments to the Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance.
(c) Projecting Sign. A sign mounted at any angle other than parallel to the wall
on which it is mounted and/or extends more than 18 inches from the wall.
(i) Projecting Signs shall clear sidewalks by at least 8 feet, as measured from
the grade immediately below the sign.
(ii) Projecting Signs shall project no more than 4 feet beyond the structure
to which they are mounted or no closer than 3 feet from an established
curb line, whichever is less.
(iii) No Projecting Sign shall extend above the topmost edge of an exterior
wall.
(iv) The top of the Projecting Sign shall not be installed above the window
sill of the second story or 18 feet, whichever is less.
(aa) Exception: The sign may be raised to within 18 inches of the
window sill if it is determined that the sign cannot reasonably be
placed within the sign band area.
(v) Projecting Signs shall not be placed within 15 feet of another Projecting
Sign. If the 15-foot separation cannot be maintained, the City may
permit a lesser distance to obtain the maximum separation distance.
(vi) This sign category includes “blade signs”, which are located near the
ground floor, typically hanging below awnings or canopies, and
intended to provide information to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
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(vii) In addition to the total permitted wall signage for a given site, each
business is permitted one (1) blade sign with a maximum area of 2
square feet.
(viii) Permitted sign lighting: external and internal character/cabinet