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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: January 22, 2015 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 6 -f <br />1 <br />SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Amendment <br />Outline and Schedule for Sign Regulation Amendments <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />1. Amendment Outline for Sign <br />Amendments (UDO /Zoning 2015 -01) <br />2. Copy of Future Land Use Element Map <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Michael Harvey, Planner III, (919) 245- <br />2597 <br />Craig Benedict, Planning Director, (919) <br />245 -2585 <br />PURPOSE: To consider and approve process components and schedule for a government <br />initiated Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendment for the February 2015 <br />Quarterly Public Hearing regarding sign regulations. <br />BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in inquires and interest with respect to <br />development of large -scale commercial operations within the County. Staff is concerned <br />current sign regulations do not offer a suitable distinction between allowable signage for <br />projects developed in urbanizing areas versus rural areas and do not take into consideration the <br />size of the parcel being developed or the amount of road frontage the parcel has. <br />There is also a noticeable lack of clarity within the UDO addressing the development of large - <br />scale properties with multiple tenants necessitating the need for a larger, freestanding sign, <br />advertising local businesses and on what constitutes a blinking /flashing sign leading to <br />enforcement concerns. <br />The proposed amendment seeks to address these concerns. For more background information <br />please refer to Section B.1 of Attachment 1. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: Consideration and approval will not create the need for additional funding <br />for the provision of County services. Costs for the required legal advertisement will be paid <br />from FY2014 -15 Departmental funds budgeted for this purpose. Existing Planning staff <br />included in the Departmental staffing budget will accomplish the work required to process this <br />amendment. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the attached <br />Amendment Outline form and direct staff to proceed accordingly. <br />