City of Madison - File #: 38645

• File #: 38645
• Version: 3
• Name: Billboard/Advertising Signs
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 5/27/2015
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• On agenda: 6/16/2015
• Final action: 6/16/2015
• Enactment date: 6/25/2015
• Enactment #: ORD-15-00069
• Title: AMENDED SUBSTITUTE Creating Sections 31.112 and. 31.11(2)(o) and amending Sections 31.11(1) and 31.05(2)(b) of the Madison General Ordinances to create a permit for a 50-year Replacement Advertising Sign using square footage from an advertising sign removed from a property to be redeveloped, and amending Section 31.04(5)(k)4.a. regarding illumination of certain signs.
• Sponsors: Chris Schmidt

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/16/2015	2	COMMON COUNCIL	Adopt the Following Amendment(s)	Pass
6/16/2015	2	COMMON COUNCIL	Adopt As Amended	Pass
6/2/2015	1	COMMON COUNCIL	Refer to a future Meeting to Adopt	Pass
5/27/2015	1	Attorney's Office/Approval Group	Referred for Introduction

Fiscal Note
There may be a small increase in General Fund revenues derived from additional sign permit fees.
Title
AMENDED SUBSTITUTE Creating Sections 31.112 and. 31.11(2)(o) and amending Sections 31.11(1) and 31.05(2)(b) of the Madison General Ordinances to create a permit for a 50-year Replacement Advertising Sign using square footage from an advertising sign removed from a property to be redeveloped, and amending Section 31.04(5)(k)4.a. regarding illumination of certain signs.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This ordinance establishes a “cap and replace” program to allow removal of an existing billboard (“Advertising Sign”) from a property to be redeveloped and construction of a replacement sign on another site. An Advertising Sign is a sign that advertises something unrelated to the premises upon which the sign is located. Advertising signs are typically owned by outdoor advertising companies. New advertising signs are prohibited by ordinance. This ordinance would allow construction of a replacement advertising sign under some circumstances.

A similar ordinance, ID # 35036, was defeated on January 20, 2015 after a Mayoral Veto. A challenge to the veto did not pass. The differences between the vetoed ordinance and this ordinance are:
(1) The property where the existing sign is located must be scheduled for redevelopment.
(2) The procedure is only available to signs in existence within the city as of February 2, 2015. (Future billboards that come into the city through annexation will not be eligible.)
(3) The replacement advertising sign permit will have a maximum lifespan of 50 years.
(4) The ordinance will sunset in eight years.

Under this ordinance, the owner of an advertising sign in existence within the City limits as of February 2, 2015, may remove the sign and bank the square footage, if the property is to be redeveloped and the sign must be removed to accommodate the redevelopment. (This option would not be available to remove an exis...