Fiscal Note
No significant fiscal impact is anticipated.
Title
SUBSTITUTE Amending Section 31.13 of the Madison General Ordinances modifying method of approval of signs in Historic Districts, Landmarks, and Landmarks sites, creating new procedures for sign approval in PD Districts, and designating the UMX district as a District of Special Control; amending Section 31.043(1) regarding Zoning Administrator Appeals; amending Section 33.24 (the UDC ordinance); and Section 28.098(6) consistent with the foregoing changes to Chapter 31.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This ordinance amends Sec. 31.13 in two ways. First, sub. (1) is amended to modify the rules for signs in Historic Districts. The current ordinance relies on an outdated procedure regarding Historic District plan documents, which do not usually address signage. Under this amendment, all proposed new signage in a Historic District, on a Landmark building or Landmark site must be approved by the Landmarks Commission prior to a sign permit being issued. Such signs are subject to all requirements of the sign ordinance and any requirements for signs in Chapter 41, Historic Preservation.
This ordinance also creates a new procedure for sign approval in a Planned Development District (PD). Currently, there are no criteria for signs in a PD. Signs are approved by the UDC on a case-by-case basis through the PD approval process, with no criteria to guide the UDC. Under this amendment, the Zoning Administrator (ZA) would choose a comparable zoning district for the PD, solely for the purposes of applying the criteria of this chapter to applications for signs in the PD. The ZA would review the location, characteristics, uses, building forms, and design of the proposed PD and its relationship to abutting land uses in deciding which district to choose. The selection of zoning district and final decision on each sign permit will become part of the SIP or GDP recorded for the PD. Modifications to the approved sign p...
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