Fiscal Note
No appropriation is required.
Title
CHARTER ORDINANCE Creating Section 10.42 and Section 10.31(3)(f)3. of the Madison General Ordinances to allow decorative painting on pavement.
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DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This Charter ordinance creates a new permit that would allow eligible organizations to paint decorative designs on the surface of local streets with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less. A Charter ordinance is required to deviate from state statute and regulations of the Department of Transportation that would otherwise prohibit signage in the highway right-of-way. To the extent such decorative designs might be considered a sign, the City elects not to be governed by such statute and regulations.
This ordinance establishes a process that includes an application through Privileges in Streets, Traffic Engineer approval, and a Street Use Permit to close the street when the design will be painted. Eligible applicants are neighborhood associations and other non-profit organizations that would be eligible for a neighborhood grant through the City Planning Division.
The decorative design must be applied with acrylic water based traffic marking paint that includes anti-skid material, or the applicant may choose to do a temporary installation with water-soluble chalk. The design itself can include decorative designs and patterns only - no text, numerals, symbols, overt messages or any images designed to convey a message of any kind, including commercial messages. The design must not mimic any official traffic control signs, create a traffic hazard or interference, and must be reviewed and approved by the Traffic Engineer. The applicant, not the city, is responsible for maintaining the design. If the design fades or is damaged and the applicant fails to repair it, the City may require the applicant to remove it or remove it at the applicant’s expense.
If adopted, the Charter provisions of this ordinance shall take effect 60 days from th...
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