CITY OF SARATOGA Memorandum
CITY OF SARATOGA Memorandum
To: Saratoga Planning Commission From: Sung H. Kwon, Senior Planner Date: September 13, 2017 Subject: Sign Ordinance – Supplemental Attachment 1 Correspondence was provided to the Chair of the Planning Commission which was forwarded to staff. Please see attached.
From: To: Cc: Subject: Date:
Tina Walia Chuck Page Curtis Williams; Sung Kwon RE: Sign Ordinance Wednesday, September 13, 2017 9:48:36 AM
Hi Chuck, Thanks for the information. I am forwarding this email to Curtis and Sung. Regards, Tina From: Chuck Page [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 9:26 AM To: Tina Walia Subject: Sign Ordinance
Tina, I read the packet for tonight’s agenda item regarding the sign ordinance with great interest. What amazed me was the lack of support for the “information” that staff provided. I strongly recommend, especially after the last meeting, when it was clear that the planner for this item did not know the code that he was proposing nor did he know the existing code, that you require backup documentation for many of the assertions that staff has made, especially those regarding the First Amendment.
Not only can the city specify rules for different kinds of signs, it has done so for many previous sign ordinances and continues to do so. You have a responsibility to do so!
If the goal of the ordinance is to eliminate the clutter of these signs, allowing one on every single lot in Saratoga is NOT the way to do it. There are some simple and probably more elegant ways to do it. Although the Town of Los Gatos does not limit open house signs, the effectively cut down on the clutter by removing the advertising component of the open house signs that we see all over Saratoga on weekends (with no regard to the time of day or night or location of the signs). This is the Town of Los Gatos Municipal Code regarding Real Estate and Open House signs: Los Gatos
Sec. 29.10.110. - Exceptions. (5) Real estate. One (1) nonilluminated sign on each street frontage for any lot or building which serves solely to advertise the sale, lease or rental of or an offer to build to suit on the premises where the sign is located, provided the sign does not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area if the sign is in a commercial, professional or industrial zone, or six (6) square feet in area if the sign is in a residential zone. This exception is only available when all or part of the premises is actually available for the transaction advertised. (6) Open house. Nonilluminated, off-site, portable signs directing customers to the location of an open house which is for sale are permitted, unlimited in total number, but limited to one (1) doublefaced sign per corner of an intersection or zoning plot. The signs shall not exceed an area of one (1) square foot per face and shall not be more than four (4) feet high. Open house signs shall contain no individual, or individual company advertising. Prior permission shall be obtained from the property owner if the sign is to be placed on a privately owned parcel. The signs shall be removed each day after the closing of the open house. Open house signs are an exception to the rule
prohibiting off-premises signs and signs on public property.
If Saratoga were to modify its code to something like this, then I recommend removing the last 5 words of item (6). Don not allow them on public property AT ALL. I am sending this message to each commissioner. Thank you, Chuck Page Please redact my address and contact information from public records:
To: Saratoga Planning Commission From: Sung H. Kwon, Senior Planner Date: September 13, 2017 Subject: Sign Ordinance – Supplemental Attachment 1 Correspondence was provided to the Chair of the Planning Commission which was forwarded to staff. Please see attached.
From: To: Cc: Subject: Date:
Tina Walia Chuck Page Curtis Williams; Sung Kwon RE: Sign Ordinance Wednesday, September 13, 2017 9:48:36 AM
Hi Chuck, Thanks for the information. I am forwarding this email to Curtis and Sung. Regards, Tina From: Chuck Page [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 9:26 AM To: Tina Walia Subject: Sign Ordinance
Tina, I read the packet for tonight’s agenda item regarding the sign ordinance with great interest. What amazed me was the lack of support for the “information” that staff provided. I strongly recommend, especially after the last meeting, when it was clear that the planner for this item did not know the code that he was proposing nor did he know the existing code, that you require backup documentation for many of the assertions that staff has made, especially those regarding the First Amendment.
Not only can the city specify rules for different kinds of signs, it has done so for many previous sign ordinances and continues to do so. You have a responsibility to do so!
If the goal of the ordinance is to eliminate the clutter of these signs, allowing one on every single lot in Saratoga is NOT the way to do it. There are some simple and probably more elegant ways to do it. Although the Town of Los Gatos does not limit open house signs, the effectively cut down on the clutter by removing the advertising component of the open house signs that we see all over Saratoga on weekends (with no regard to the time of day or night or location of the signs). This is the Town of Los Gatos Municipal Code regarding Real Estate and Open House signs: Los Gatos
Sec. 29.10.110. - Exceptions. (5) Real estate. One (1) nonilluminated sign on each street frontage for any lot or building which serves solely to advertise the sale, lease or rental of or an offer to build to suit on the premises where the sign is located, provided the sign does not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area if the sign is in a commercial, professional or industrial zone, or six (6) square feet in area if the sign is in a residential zone. This exception is only available when all or part of the premises is actually available for the transaction advertised. (6) Open house. Nonilluminated, off-site, portable signs directing customers to the location of an open house which is for sale are permitted, unlimited in total number, but limited to one (1) doublefaced sign per corner of an intersection or zoning plot. The signs shall not exceed an area of one (1) square foot per face and shall not be more than four (4) feet high. Open house signs shall contain no individual, or individual company advertising. Prior permission shall be obtained from the property owner if the sign is to be placed on a privately owned parcel. The signs shall be removed each day after the closing of the open house. Open house signs are an exception to the rule
prohibiting off-premises signs and signs on public property.
If Saratoga were to modify its code to something like this, then I recommend removing the last 5 words of item (6). Don not allow them on public property AT ALL. I am sending this message to each commissioner. Thank you, Chuck Page Please redact my address and contact information from public records:
