The Atlantic Beach City Commission held a workshop Feb. 24 to consider proposed amendments to the city’s sign code ordinance. City officials are seeking input from the community regarding proposed changes.
“One of the reasons this is important is that we’re approaching a political season and signs will be out in yards in force,” said City Manager Shane Corbin. “We will be receiving phone calls and neighbors will undoubtedly try to get us between any neighbors they don’t agree with, so we want to try and get this adopted so everyone understands the rules and we are able to get the rules out to the public so when the time comes everyone is on the same page.”
Amanda Askew, the city’s director of planning, cited the 2015 Supreme Court that "sent shock waves” through the sign community by requiring all municipalities to update existing sign codes. According to the ruling, the town of Gilbert was deemed in violation of freedom of speech for imposing “content-based restrictions.” Since 2016, Atlantic Beach ceased enforcement of sections of the code detailing sign content.
“All signage must be content-neutral however the cities are allowed to regulate the size of the signs, the number of signs and the duration of signs and the location of signs,” she said.
According to Askew, the proposed changes in Atlantic Beach include language to strengthen the intent of the sign code. This is primarily to define the purpose of the code and reasons for the amendments. Officials also removed content-based definitions, including language referring to political signs, directional signs and signs of public expressions.
Language was added to clarify the definition of public art, off site signs, illuminated signs and flags. The existing section regulating exempt signs was almost entirely removed because it dealt strictly with content-based signs, if approved.
“We allowed no trespassing sign, a vacancy sign, one garage sale sign and unlimited political campaign signs,” Askew said. “This entire section was entirely redone to remove all of that.”
Other proposed changes include added provisions allowing a sign for multi-family developments with a minimum of 12 units. The original language permitted signs for dwellings with three units. Askew said non-residential uses such as churches and schools have a free-standing monument sign.
In commercial and industrial zoning districts, signs can project out 12 inches from the front of the property. Proposed changes also include drive-thru signs that help circulate traffic and limit the number of flags.
“This is open to discussion,” she said.
The commission will vote on the proposed changes once community input is collected and reviewed.
