CPC-2009-1583-ICO Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary .......................................................................... 3

Appendix A: Proposed Ordinance ……………………..……………. A-1

Attachments:

1. Findings ……………………………………………..………….1-1

2. CEQA Notice of Exemption ………………………………….2-1

CPC-2009-1583-ICO Page 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The initial ICO pertaining to supergraphic signs and off-site signs, including off-site
digital displays, was approved by the City Planning Commission on November 13, 2008.
The City Council adopted the ICO on December 17, 2008, and it became effective on
December 26, 2008 (Ordinance Number 180,445). The term of the initial ICO was 90
days with the possibility of two 45-day extensions. Both extensions have been granted
by the City Council, carrying the ICO to a final expiration date of June 24, 2009.

The purpose of the ICO has been to put a hold on the recent proliferation of visually
intense signage, giving the City time to revise its sign regulations to better control
signage on a long-term basis. A motion from the City Council on July 28, 2008 (Council
File 08-2020) set the course for the new citywide sign regulations, to “toughen and
create easily enforceable time / place / manner restrictions citywide to protect
neighborhoods”, and to “provide clear criteria related to land use designations for sign
districts.”

At the City Council’s first hearing of the revised citywide sign regulations on May 26,
2009, numerous members of the public provided testimony, and several City
Councilmembers introduced motions calling for targeted revisions to the sign ordinance.
Several people testified that additional time should be allowed to consider changes, and
to allow the newly elected City Attorney to review the sign ordinance. A motion was
introduced (Amending Motion 13F, Hahn-Rosendahl-LaBonge-Zine) referring the item
back to the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee for a period of 90
days, to allow consideration by the new City Attorney and new Councilmember for the
5th District. An additional motion (Amending Motion 13I, Rosendahl-Zine-Reyes-Hahn-
Garcetti-Perry-LaBonge) introduced a new ICO to allow more time for the City Council
to consider the sign ordinance, beyond the expiration of Ordinance No. 180445.

The attached draft ICO (Appendix A) will pick up where the previous ICO leaves off,
with the same temporary prohibitions. The proposed operative date is June 25, 2009.
The ICO would be effective for a period of 90 days, or until a permanent ordinance
amending the citywide sign regulations becomes effective, whichever occurs first.
 APPENDIX A

Proposed Interim Control Ordinance (ICO)

CPC-2009-1583-ICO 1-1

ATTACHMENT 1

LAND USE FINDINGS

1. In accordance with Charter Section 556, that the proposed ordinance (Appendix
A) is in substantial conformance with the purposes, intent and provisions of the
General Plan in that it will support Goal 5A of the Citywide General Plan
Framework by helping to further the shaping of “a livable city for existing and
future residents and one that is attractive to future investment,” and also
Objective 5.5 to “enhance the livability of all neighborhoods by upgrading the
quality of development and improving the quality of the public realm”; and

2. in accordance with Charter Section 558 (b) (2), that the proposed ordinance
(Appendix A) is directly related to the General Plan, specific plans or other plans
being prepared by the Department of City Planning. This ordinance will support
Citywide General Plan Framework Objective 5.5.3 to “formulate and adopt
building and site design standards and guidelines to raise the quality of design
Citywide”, as well as Policy 5.8.4 to “encourage that signage be designed to be
integrated with the architectural character of the buildings and convey a visually
attractive character”; and

3. in accordance with Charter Section 558 (b) (2), that the proposed ordinance
(Appendix A) is in substantial conformance with the public necessity,
convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice in that it will control the
proliferation of supergraphic signs and off-site signs, including off-site digital
displays, giving the city time to adopt fair and coherent permanent sign
regulations.

ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING

The proposed ordinance (Appendix A) is exempt from the requirements of the

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article II, Section 1 of
the City CEQA Guidelines and Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA
Guidelines as it can be seen with certainty that the proposed ICO will not have a
significant negative effect on the environment (see Attachment 2, CEQA Notice
of Exemption).
 ATTACHMENT 2

CEQA Notice of Exemption