HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOC Minutes 2014-10-08TOWN OF ITHACA CODES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE
Meeting of October 8, 2014
6:30 - 8:15 pm
Present: Bill Goodman, Chair; Eric Levine; Pat Leary via FaceTime; Eva Hoffmann; Bruce Bates,
Director of Code Enforcement; Susan Ritter, Director of Planning; Chris Balestra, Planner; Susan
Brock, Attorney for the Town; Paulette Terwilliger, Town Clerk.
Absent: Fred Wilcox and Bill King.
1. Member Comments/Concerns. None
Approval of September 10, 2014 COC Minutes. Changes made to draft. Motion made
by Eric, seconded by Eva. Unanimous.
Continued Review of New and Improved Draft Sign Law, Redlined Draft Dated
September 18, 2013.
Continued Discussion of §221-19 -Terminology (beginning with "flagpole" from the
"Updated Definitions for 9/10/14 Meeting").
Discussion of enforcement as it pertains to the removal of illegal roadside signs.
Flag Pole - Left off talking about replacing the word "sole" with the word "primary" in the
definition. One member suggested to not use either word because the implication was already
in the definition and there were few instances where a flag pole could have something else on it.
An occurrence of the word was looked at in the draft law and it focusses on the height of a flag
pole, not what is hung from it, so the Committee agreed to remove the word "sole" and not
replace it with "primary."
Freestanding Sign - Chris suggested adding monument sign to the definition because it is a type
of freestanding sign. Discussion followed and someone suggested not adding it to the
freestanding sign definition, but instead adding a picture of monument sign to the other two
pictures used as examples. Committee agreed.
Illuminated Sign - Chris noted that the draft sign law referenced the Outdoor Lighting Law but
that there was no definition of an illuminated sign in the Outdoor Lighting Law. She thought it
was odd that the term did not occur in the Outdoor Lighting Law. Discussion followed on
whether it should be there. The Committee tabled the discussion for now.
Susan suggested tweaking the definition to say "a sign illuminated internally or externally, by
artificial light, or which is composed of luminous tubing or other artificial lighting devices."
Committee agreed.
Luminous Tubing - Committee discussed whether luminous tubes were always made with
glass. Committee recommended removing the word "glass" to encompass any luminous tubing.
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Chris will look up the terms "cold cathode light" and "luminous tubing" to see if there might be
better definition language to use.
Marquee - Continued from last meeting. After some discussion, Susan B suggested limiting the
definition to the use at a theatre since all other uses could be defined as a canopy.
The Committee agreed on the following definition: "A permanent roofed structure that is
attached to and projects from a theatre building's entrance. Marquees are supported entirely by
the building and are generally designed to provide protection from the sun and rain."
Monument Sign - Discussion on the types of monument signs that are around town. Committee
modified the definition to read: "A type of freestanding sign, with a sign face or its base resting
on the ground."
Multiuse or Multi -tenant Facility- Committee replaced the word "enterprises" with
"establishments."
Off -Premises Sign - Susan B. will bring a definition to the next meeting that will address some of
the Committee's concerns about allowing some events, such as the AIDS Ride for Life, while
prohibiting commercial off -premise signage. Lengthy discussion on State and County rules for
signs included in their regulatory programs, such as the NYS Sign Program and the Tompkins
County Wayfinding Program. Chris noted that the Town could go ahead and permit temporary
off -premises signs for agricultural signs, but that it would not be considered content -neutral and
even those types of signs would be considered commercial signs.
Owner - Committee may modify or delete this definition - need to wait until the Enforcement
section of the law is complete.
Person - May not need to be defined. Chris will search the draft sign law for the term.
Committee will re -visit next month.
Prohibited Sign - Committee deleted.
Projecting Sign - Lengthy discussion regarding the use of the term "angle" in the definition,
since not all projecting signs protrude from a building at an angle. The Committee decided
define it as: "A sign with two faces that protrudes from a building or structure."
Public Information Sign - Committee deleted. The term wasn't located in the draft law anyway.
Many public information signs are considered public safety or emergency signs now and those
are self-evident.
Right-of-way Public - Discussion on how circular the current definition is. Will be re -worked
and discussed next month.
Roof Sign - There are none in the Town right now. It does not appear in the draft law, so the
Committee deleted the definition.
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Self -Illuminated Sign - Duplicates the illuminated sign definition. Committee deleted.
A virus warning came up on the transcription computer, so the Committee stopped and will pick
up with the definition of Sign at next meeting.
4. Other Business.
Next meeting date tentatively scheduled for November 12, 2014.
Adopted11/12/2014
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