07/14/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mark Virtue, 4410 Fox Hollow, said back-lit awnings are considered wall signs in Salem. He said the Eugene Sign Code should be changed to permit e back-lit awnings. He said the proposed awning with lettering will be back-lit and will upgrade the image of the business. It is economically more advantageous than both an awning and a sign. He said rain protection is needed in a 11 sign districts in Eugene. He said back-lit awnings ill umi nate the sidewalk at night and assist police offi cers and firefighters. Mr. Virtue said the Eugene Sign Code does not address back-lit and down- lit awnings and should do so. He said many of the businesses on 13th and 11th have awnings and wall signs and the appearance is messy. He said back-lit awnings would be more attractive. He said the alley between 12th and 13th Avenues divides the Outlying Commercial and the Pedestrian Auto sign districts but the stores on both sides of it have the same clientele. He suggested the council review the Sign Code and designate back-lit awnings to be wall signs or exempt them from regulations. There being no additional requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Ms. Ehrman said back-lit awnings were not considered when the council reviewed the Sign Code recently. Mr. Reed asked if he could respond to some of the comments made in the testimony. He said the staff tries to help businesses but the proposed projecting sign over the public sidewalk at that location is not permitted by the code. He said the Sign Code currently permits back-lit awnings. The Gracens were told they could request a change in the sign district for the Alder Street Market or seek e an amendment to the Si gn Code. In addition, he wished the Planning Commission had heard the comments about awnings when the Sign Code was updated last May. Ms. McDonald said projecting signs were permitted in the Pedestrian Auto District because of pedestrian traffic. They probably were not permitted in other districts because signs close to the street are distracting to vehicles and because of clutter. Replying to questions from Ms. Wooten, Ms. McDonald said the proposed awning would be similar to the one at Humphrey Yogurt and the Muffins in the downtown. The vinyl is a new material. She said the downtown core area, Willamette Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, Fifth Avenue from High to Pearl Streets, and the downtown mall are designated the Pedestrian Auto Sign District. Projecting signs are permitted in that district. Answering questions from Mr. Rutan and Ms. Bascom, Ms. McDonald said sign district boundary change requests are submitted to the Planning Department. Mr. Beaurline said the proposal is to add small lettering to the awning to identify the store. Replying to a question from Ms. Schue, Ms. McDonald said the initial design was for an awning with lettering. It was to be the identifying sign. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 14, 1986 Page 9