Columbus, Ohio Zoning Code Revision

GRAPHICS CODE UPDATE, PART 1ORD 0170-2014

July 16, 2014

Columbus Graphics Code Update

Project overview

A graphics or sign code promotes readable signage, safety, compatibility with surroundings, and reduces visual clutter by regulating the size, number, and location of private signs. Reasonable limits on special effects serve those purposes. Special effects have become much more common in Columbus and are drawing complaints from the public.

From 2011 to 2013 the Department of Building & Zoning Services hosted regular meetings to discuss recommended changes to the Graphics Code. Members of the sign industry and the Northland Community Council participated in the process.After developing many versions, the final draft is supported by the sign industry, the community groups, and the city.

Public outreach

Zoning staff published the draft code changes along with supporting material on the BZS web site for two months during October and November 2013. A link to the web documents and notice of public meetings was emailed to 133 external stakeholders including:25 Area Commission chairs and zoning chairs14 design professionals28 land use attorneys18 members of BZA, Graphics and Development Commissions1 ODOT reviewer17 members of other agencies (i.e., MORPC, Franklin Co.)18 real estate professionals12 sign industry professionals (including COSA).

Results of public meetings: • Graphics Commission approval October 15, 2013 • Development Commission approval November 14,

2013.

Graphics and government: A balancing act

Special effects with limits

Because rapidly changing digital technology allows an endless variety of special effects on commercial signage including animated, flashing, and scrolling text, municipalities usually either prohibit automatic changeable copy altogether or, as Columbus does, permit the signs with certain limits.

Focus of the proposed changes

This ordinance creates new limits on the brightness and motion of automatic changeable copy and makes other improvements to the Columbus Graphics Code. These code changes will maintain a business-friendly environment and allow for a variety of graphics which contribute to stimulating commercial districts, yet protect community image by imposing reasonable and enforceable limits on special effects of digital signs.

Visually appealing commercial environments attract both customers and businesses.

Brightness limits for automatic changeable copy signs (on-premise)

Excessively bright, rapidly changing copy on signs draws complaints from residents and motorists, and the current code offers few restrictions.

The new regulations will apply to automatic changeable copy signs that are permitted in certain commercial and manufacturing zoning districts.

The proposed code changes have already established guidance to the Graphics Commission regarding limits that can be imposed during a variance or graphics plan application. Except by variance, automatic changeable copy is not permitted in certain zoning districts, in commercial overlays, or directed to freeway.

The proposed limits include:• An 8-second hold time on images• A brightness limit of 0.3 fc above ambient light• And a specific measurement technique

The issue The solution

This automatic changeable copy sign required variances through a Graphics Plan because it is directed to a freeway.

Billboard brightness limits(off-premise)

Current code

Automatic changeable copy on billboards currently is subjected to a seven-second hold time and there is no brightness limit. We propose an eight-second hold time because it is the industry standard and is recommended by the Federal Highway Administration for traffic safety.

Under this ordinance, billboards will have the same hold time and brightness limits as on-premise signs.

Proposed changes

The proposed limits include:• An 8-second hold time on images• A brightness limit of 0.3 fc above ambient light• And a specific measurement technique

Brightness limits are in use now

In other cities

Limits on illumination are becoming more common across the country. We reviewed the codes of some cities that have created brightness limits, including:

• San Antonio, TX• Abilene, TX• Seattle, WA• Spokane, WA• Clay County, FL• Fargo, ND• Bismarck, ND• Atlanta, GA

At the request of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, we reviewed the regulations on sign brightness from the following additional peer and best-in-class cities:

• Austin, TX• Charlotte, NC*• Chicago, IL*• Cincinnati, OH*• Cleveland, OH• Indianapolis, IN• Kansas City, MO*• Minneapolis, MN*• Portland, OR• Raleigh, NC*• San Diego, CA• Louisville, KY*

The 7 cities marked with * have brightness limits in their zoning codes.

These 8 cities have developed brightness limits for digital signs and/or billboards.

Brightness limits are in use now

The city already applies brightness limits to automatic changeable copy signs that require Graphics Plans or variances from the Graphics Commission.

Below is part of the text from a recent Graphics Plan. It includes the 8-second hold time and 0.3fc above ambient light limit, based on the draft code.

In Columbus

Two ways to illuminate billboards

External illumination Internal illumination

In the past, static billboards were illuminated by lamp banks. Within 500 feet of a residential use, the code allowed these lights to be on when the sun went down at dusk until 11:00pm. Lighting was not needed during the day.

An internally illuminated digital billboard is not readable when the lights are off. The code change will allow a digital billboard to be readable during the same hours as a static billboard, which is illuminated by daylight during the day. Illumination will be permitted from 6:00am to 11:00pm.

Signs along the Interstate

Existing limits on special effects

within 660 feet of an Interstate

Currently, within 660 feet of an Interstate mechanical movement and flashing lights are not permitted. Sign copy is limited to name, logo, address, product or service under this section; and copy is limited to name, product or service by the Ohio Revised Code. Sign copy is limited to name, logo and address for any motorist services use in graphics code section 3377.16.

Therefore, except by variance, a price sign is not permitted within 660 feet of an Interstate for any use because it is not a name, address, logo, product or service.

Automatic changeable copy

With this code change, automatic changeable copy will require Graphics Commission approval for signs within 660 feet of an Interstate. The purpose is to clarify existing code and to reduce confusion arising from subtle differences between code sections.

These signs are examples of motorist services uses as defined in the code.The code limits sign copy to name, logo, and address. Price signs are enabled by the Graphics Commission for these uses.

Research and collaboration

Help from technical experts Field trip to measure brightness

City staff and stakeholders spent many hours drafting and reviewing options for revisions to the Graphics Code. Valuable assistance from the sign industry included a field demonstration that contrasted two prevalent brightness measurement techniques. Foot-candle testing is preferred because it represents how the human eye perceives brightness.

Because of questions raised by city code enforcement, Daktronics also developed a new method that allows the enforcement officer to stand at a convenient distance, and the sign does not need to be turned off to get an ambient light reading.

We measured a billboard from across a street using two different techniques.

References, reviewers and code team

Selected References

2010 ISA Brightness Guidelineshttp://www.signs.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ojOGTVXmiiw%3D&tabid=763

APA Context Sensitive Signage Designhttp://www.planning.org/research/signs/

APA Zoning Practice April 2008 Practice Smart Sign Codeshttp://www.planning.org/zoningpractice/2008/pdf/apr.pdf

Digital Led Billboard Luminance Recommendations: How Bright is Bright Enough?http://www.illinoislighting.org/resources/DigitalBillboardLuminanceRecommendation_ver7.pdf

Effects of Outdoor Advertising Displays on Driver Safetyhttp://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/research/docs/Digital_Display_Safety_Preliminary_Investigation_10-11-12_final.pdf

FHWA and HBA:Memorandum – Guidance on Off-Premise Changeable Message Signs - FHWAhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/offprmsgsnguid.htm

Reviewers and code team

City staff approaches these code changes mindful of the interconnectedness of the nine chapters in the Graphics Code. A change in one section can affect other sections or definitions.

Stakeholders:Architectural Design & Consulting, WRL Lighting Tech: William Logan, AIA, IESNA.CBS Outdoor: Tim Keaton.Clear Channel: Scott Hoover, Lou Musica.Central Ohio Sign Association: Steve Moore.Daktronics: Roger Brown, Terra Fisher, Angela Bailey.DaNite Sign Co: Michael Cox.International Sign Association: Kenneth Peskin.Lamar: Morgan Davis, Michael Smith.Moore Signs: Steve Moore.Northland Community Council: William Logan, Dave Paul.Watchfire Signs: Tim Fausel.

Columbus Ohio city staff:Chief zoning official: Chris Presutti.Code enforcement: Edgar Dillon, Dana Rose, Mike Schwab.Planners: Don Bier, Jamie Freise, Dana Hitt, Chris Mokris, Dave Reiss, Lisa Russell.Planning managers: Paul Freedman, Dick Makley, Warren Rhodes.Transportation planning engineer: Daniel Blechschmidt, P.E.

Lisa Russell, Project Planner llrussell@columbus.gov (614) 645-6975