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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7.1 County Fair Banners CITY CLERK File # D~[5JQJ-[2J~ AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 3, 2007 SUBJECT: Proposal to display Alameda County Fair Banners on City-owned light poles in Dublin Report Prepared by: Christopher L. Foss, Economic Development Director ATTACHMENTS: 1. 2. 3. 4. September 19,2006 Staff Report September 19,2006 City Council Minutes March 16, 2007 letter from Alameda County Fair Proposed Banner Design RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Alameda County Fairground's request to display promotional banners on 12 selected light poles in Dublin from May 23 to July 7,2007 and approve the banner design. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: There is no financial impact to the City. DESCRIPTION: Background: The Alameda County Fair is a regional event held each summer (June 22 to July 8, 2007) at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. The Alameda County Agricultural Association operates the fair, which is completely self-supporting and receives no public tax revenues to support the operations. The Fair advertises widely throughout the Bay Area, with radio, TV, and print advertisements. Those print advertisements often take the form of temporary signs placed on both public and private property throughout Alameda County. The Fair has, for some years, displayed these temporary signs within the Dublin City limits, which is considered prohibited off-site advertising (Sections 8.84.020 of the Dublin Zoning Ordinance - definition of Off-site advertising). Due to the prohibition, the City's Code Enforcement Officer removes any prohibited Alameda County Fair signs located in the public right-of-way (Section 8.84.150 of the Dublin Zoning Ordinance - prohibition of Off-Site Advertising signs in the public right-of-way) and works with private property owners to abate any sign violations. COPY TO: Page 1 of2 ITEM NO. '1, L G:\Chris\Alameda County Fair\Staff Report - Fair Banner 2007.doc C/ On September 19, 2006, the City Council considered an informational report on Off-Site Signage/Advertising for the Alameda County Fair within the City limits (see Attachment 1). At that meeting, the City Council agreed to co-sponsor the Alameda County Fair and include the Alameda County Fair Banners in the City's Banner Program and directed Staff to bring back the design for approval and to place 12 banners throughout the City at the appropriate time (see Attachment 2). With that direction, Staff met with Alameda County Fair officials on September 27, 2006 to discuss the City Council's actions relative to the banner program. Staff requested that the Fair review the location of the City's banners and to identify their 12 preferred sites. The Alameda County Fair Association, in a March 16,2007 letter to Staff (see Attachment 3), requested the opportunity to display banners on the City's light poles to advertise the Alameda County Fair event. The Association's request called for twelve (12) poles and a total of 24 banners (two banners on each pole). The Association's 12 requested locations include (west to east): Amador Valley Boulevard / Amador Plaza Road ( east) Dublin Blvd. / San Ramon Road intersection (east and west) Dublin Blvd. / Village Parkway intersection (east and west) Dublin Blvd. / Dougherty Road intersection (east and west) Dublin Blvd. east of Iron Horse Trail Dublin Blvd. / Hacienda Drive (east and west) Dublin Blvd. / Tassajara Road (east and west) The Association has also requested that the banners be displayed from May 23, 2007 to July 7, 2007 - which corresponds to the City's Summer Concert Series Banner schedule. It would allow the banners to be hung at the same time as the City banners. The Fair Association has also provided a design of the Alameda County Fair banner to be displayed for City Council review and approval (see Attachment 4). The Fair Association is also requesting a link to the Alameda County Fair on the City of Dublin' s website. Staff has determined that the request is in conformance with the City's Internet Web site Policy (Section 8.C.ii). Staff has reviewed the requested banner locations and can accommodate the Alameda County Fair's request. Staff can also include a link to the Fair from the City's web site, if so directed. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Alameda County Fair's request to display promotional banners on 12 selected light poles in Dublin from May 23 to July 7,2007 at the proposed locations and approve the banner design. z 2 , Db'lO AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: September 19, 2006 SUBJECT: Informational Report on Off-Site Signage/ Advertising for the Alameda Fait within the City limits. Report Prepared by Mamie R. Nuccio, Associate Planner ATTACHMENTS: 1) June 6, 2006 City Council Meeting Minutes 2) Alameda CQ~ty Fait Signage within the City of Dublin 3) Posters displayed inside a window of a Dublin-based business 4) Examples of Prohibited Off-Site Advertising Signs 5) Alameda Banner under City of Pleasanton Sign on Main Street 6) Banner Signs on City owned light poles in the City of Pleasanton 7) Prohibited Off-Site Signage advertising the ~ameda Fair in unincorporated Alameda County (Castro Valley) 8) City of Dublin Banner Schedule July 2006-August 2007 RECOMMENpATION: .!'.:, 1) Receive Staff Report and provide Staffwith direction. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None at this time. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Background At the June 6, 2006 City Council meeting, the City Council directed Staff to review the Sign Regulations, pertaining to off-site advertising and return to the City Council with potential options for allowing the Alameda County Fair to display signage within the City (Attachment 1). The Alameda C6;W.jty Fair is an annual event held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds located in the City of Pleasanton. The Fair is operated by the Alameda County Agricultural Association, a private, non-profit ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COPY TO: ""'- Page 1 of 4 G:\Agendas\2006\Off-Site Advertising Signage\CCSR Off-Site Signage 09-19-06 (2).doc.DOC ITE fll Attachment 1 4 ---:'>-01 (l corporation. The Association is completely self-supporting and receives no funding from tax revenue. Advertising for the annual Fair includes the placement of temporary signage on public and private property throughout Alameda County. In the past,' including this past year, such temporary off-site 5j signage has been displayed within the City limits of Dublin (Attachment 2). Since the Alameda County - Fairgrounds are located within the City of Pleasanton, any signage displayed in Dublin advertising the If? annual Fair event is considered off-site advertising. Pursuant to Section 8.84.150 of the Dublin Zoning .....1 Ordinance, off-site advertising signs, signs placed on public property and temporary signs are prohibited. '''l Therefore, the Fair signs that have in the past been placed in Dublin are not allowed. There is a provision in the Sign Regulations that allows Dublin-based businesses to display signage in theit windows; Fair posters and/or flyers placed in the windows of a Dublin-based business is not considered off-site advertising and therefore is allowed (Attachment 3). ANALYSIS: The City of Dublin Zoning Ordinance provides standards for the regulation and control of all signage within the City limits (Chapter 8.84, Sign Regulations). Signage is regulated for the health, safety and general welfare of the public and to preserve the aesthetic quality of the community. The Sign Regulations address the design, quality of materials, construction, location, and maintenance of an signs and their supporting members and also includes the following: definitions of various types of signage; the process by which signage is reviewed and approved; exempt signage and prohibited signage; and, enforcement of illegal signs. The City actively enforces the prohibition on off-site advertising signs on both public and private property. Any off-site advertising sign located in the public right-of-way is immediately abated by the City's Code Enforcement Officer and/or the Public Works Department. Examples of off-site advertising signs that are commonly found being displayed within the City include work from home advertisements, weekend work, business services, and social groups to name a few (Attachment 4). Off-site advertising signs placed on private property are also enforced and are typically placed without the permission of the property owner. Property owners are generally responsive and cooperative in having the prohibited signs promptly removed once they have been notified of a violation by the Code Enforcement Officer. Unlike most areas of land-use law, the regulation of signs is subject to significant federal constitutional restraints due to the fact that signage necessarily involves "speech" and the First Amendment generally prohibits the regulation of speech. In general, the regulation of signage may not be content-based. However, the courts have indicated that it is appropriate to allow signage advertising a business on-site and prohibit it off-site. Section 8.84.020 of the Dublin Zoning Ordinance defines off-site advertising signs as, any sign which advertises or informs about a business, organization or event, goods, products, services or uses, not available on the property upon which the sign is located. Section 8.84.150 of the Zoning Ordinance generally prohibits Off-Site Advertising Signs and signage in the public right-of-way. Off-Site Advertising Allowances in Surrounding Jurisdictions A survey of surrounding Tri-Valley cities revealed that neighboring communities do not allow off-site advertising (See Table 1). Similar to Dublin's Public Service Banners Program (which is described under Option 1 on Page 3), the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton allow the display of banners on public property for civic events and events conducted by non-profit organizations. The Alameda County Fair has utilized the City of Livermore's Street Banners and the City of Pleasanton's Main Street Banner to Page 2 of 4 advertise for the annual Fair event. In Livermore, Street Banner locations include 4th Street and the North ..s Livermore railroad overpass. In Pleasanton, the Main Street Banner is displayed below the City of Pleasanton sign over Main Street (Attachment 5). The City of Pleasanton also allows the Fair to displayrC\ banners on the City's light poles (Attachment 6). Banners displayed on these light poles are typically I;:;}...... limited to City-related events; however, the City has made an exception with respect to the Alameda r<1 County Fair. T bl 1 Ofr SOt Ad f 0 . th T . V II A a e . - I e ver ISIllg III e rI- a ev rea Local Tri- Valley Does your jurisdiction What city code/ Does your jurisdiction Jurisdictions permit the display of ordinance sections permit the Alameda Off-Site Advertising restrict the display of County Fair to display Signs? Off-Site Advertising Off-Site Advertising Siens? Siens? City of Dublin No Sections 8.84.150 (F) No and (S) City of Pleasanton No Section 18.96.020 (A) Yes City of Livermore No Section 3-45-040 (H) Yes City of San Ramon No Section D4-307(E) No Unincorporated No Sections 12.08.120 and No Alameda County 17.52.520 Staff conducted site visits in neighboring jurisdictions to determine whether the types of signage being displayed in Dublin (Attachment 2) was also being displayed in other Tri- Valley cities. No prohibited off- site signage advertising the Fair was observed in the cities of Livermore or Pleasanton. A site visit was not performed in the City of San Ramon. Since San Ramon is located within Contra Costa County, Staff presumed that advertising for the Alameda County Fair was unlikely. In unincorporated Alameda County, specifically the Castro Valley area, numerous Fair signs were observed (Attachment 7). Discussions with Alameda County confirmed that such signage was not permitted within the County. Recommended Options for the City Council's Consideration Based on StafPs research and consideration of past enforcement of off-site advertising signage within the City of Dublin and the review of the Dublin off-site signage regulations and other neighboring jurisdictions off-site signage allowances, Staff is recommending two options related to off-site signage for the Alameda County Fair for the City Council's consideration. Staff recommends that the City Council review and discuss these options as well as any additional options the Council deems appropriate and direct Staff accordingly. The following options are not listed in order of preference. Option I The first option would be to co-sponser the Fair and include Alameda County Fair banners in the City's banner program. Currently there are 12 different banner designs which are displayed on City-owned light poles throughout the community. The banners are displayed seasonally on a rotating schedule and include activities such as Day on the Glen, St. Patrick's Day, Dublin Pride Week, and the Summer Concert Series Page 3 of 4 to name a few (Attachment 8). Incorporating Fair banners to the City's banner program would require that the City re-evaluate the banners being displayed under the current rotation in order to accommodate..9 additional banners. The Alameda County Fair occurs annually, generally between the end of June through C early July. Should the City Council decide to incorporate Fair banners into the City's banner program, the 6 Parks and Community Services Department would bring a design of the Fair banners before the City:r- Council for review and approval. Furthermore, the City Council would need to direct Staff to appropriate funds for the fabrication and installation and removal of the banners, or direct Staff to request that Alameda County pay for the fabrication and installation of the signs. Staff has contacted Alameda County Fair Staff in an effort to determine if the Fair would be interested in participating in the City's banner program if the Council were to incorporate this annual event into the City's Banner Program. The Fair Staff has indicated that they would be interested in inclusion of the City's Banner Program, if Council determines the inclusion is appropriate. Option 2 The second option would be to take no action and direct Staff to continue enforcing the Sign Regulations as adopted which would only allow for posters and/or flyers to be placed in the windows of Dublin-based businesses to advertise for the annual Fair. Any other type of signage would be prohibited. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council receive the report and provide Staffwith direction. Page 4 of 4 .6 6b' lO Alameda County Fair Signage within the City of Dublin ..'~>':iY;~'S-' -::~., " ~ ~~ Location: North side of Dublin Blvd, West side of San Ramon Road -;;. Location: North of Amador Valley Blvd, East side of San Ramon Road .- Location: East side of Village Parkway at The Village Green shopping center Attachment 2 ..,.. o(<<Ur (ef- ~r ;'l _,I' to Db lle' Posters Displayed Inside a Window of a Dublin Based Business . t. t\~~: l' << .\ -- ..... . "~:"".~'.', " -~ ... "":y,.,.:.. '::, '~.;.~~ .,.f ~..~ . i . I I I' " ! ....... ". '. J ..' :J!fi", ~ Attachment 3 -to~t.".~ ..t , . - . 7 ob' l.f> Examples of Prohibited Off-Site Advertising Signs .. .... .'.'c': "" '.i.:~ Location: West side ofTassajara Road, North of Central Parkway . "' Location: Amador Valley Boulevard, East of Village Parkway ....3;~> . ~~~~~ ~:: ..; ~ it'~~::. Location: West side of Village Parkway, North of Amador Valley Boulevard ". ~"" ~. I' North side of Dublin Boulevard, East of Regional Street \1.l.1l ~J!~L .1: ... Attachment 4 ... .II~. 'If'" ~ ~ ~\\t, Alameda County Fair Banner City of Pleasanton Sign on Main Street ATTACHMENT 5 it .~ "'- ~ Of ~'Lo Alameda County Fair Banner Signs City owned light poles in the City of Pleasanton ATTACHMENT 6 +t ~. CI,.- ~ IODt}lr P-t I' _, Prohibited Off-Site Signage Unincorporated Alameda County (Castro Valley) _'~",V"'f.' ."'!": ~(. 'l~l:/~~. , ; ~~'\ ~~'a "'~'~:''1'j , . :'; '':.\f~#;f~r~ "(;' :~?;:lt: .1," '":"~~~r' . .:, ..... ~ ;.:.., . Attachment 7 +.~~~ Spare the Air New Banner Fall Day on the Glen Red Ribbon Holiday Youth Art St. Patrick's Day Dublin Pride Shop Dublin Dublin Salutesl Patriotic Summer Concert Series > ...... ...... ~ ~ =- a rD = ...... 00 7' . l ~ .. 't ~ ~ IIOQ\LD City of Dublin Banner Schedule July 2006 - August 2007 Oct '06 Dee '06 Ma Jan '07' Feb '07 Noy '06 Mar '07 Apr'07 12 \\J) Jesus Orozco, Casa Orozco, urged the Council to approve the request and stated that denial would send a negative message to small businesses in Dublin that were trying to expand. John Steinbuch, Colliers International, discussed the marketing of the site involved and encouraged the City Council to approve the study to allow the project to move forward. Ken Harvey, Dublin Honda, indicated that Walt Ligon had been a good neighbor over the years and encouraged the Council to approve the Specific Plan Amendment Study. The Council discussed the proposed Specific Plan Amendment Study and agreed that, although the comprehensive Specific Plan update was important, this project would benefit the community and fit in with the downtown vision. On motion of Cm Hildenbrand, seconded by Vm. Oravetz and by unanimous vote (Cm. McCormick absent), the City Council adopted RESOLUTION NO. 185 - 06 APPROVING THE INITIATION OF A DOWNTOWN CORE SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT STUDY FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7099 AMADOR PLAZA ROAD (APN 941-0305-026) ... Informational Report on Off-Site Signage/ Advertising for the Alameda County Fair within City Limits 8:51 p.m. 8.2 (450-20) Associate Planner Marnie Nuccio presented the Staff Report and advised that the City Council would provide Staff with direction on regulating and controlling off-site signage within City limits. The Council agreed that it would be beneficial to co-sponsor the event, and engaged in a question and answer session with Staff regarding banner fabrication and placement within the City. The Fair should pay for the fabrication of the banners, as it did in Pleasanton. On motion of Mayor Lockhart, seconded by Cm. Hildenbrand and by unanimous vote (Cm. McCormick absent), the City Council agreed to co-sponsor the Alameda County DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES VOLUME 25 REGULAR MEETING September 19, 2006 PAGE 320 Attachment 2 \~ \\.p Jesus Orozco, Casa Orozco, urged the Council to approve the request and stated that denial would send a negative message to small businesses in Dublin that were trying to expand. John Steinbuch, Colliers International, discussed the marketing of the site involved and encouraged the City Council to approve the study to allow the project to move forward. Ken Harvey, Dublin Honda, indicated that Walt Ligon had been a good neighbor over the years and encouraged the Council to approve the Specific Plan Amendment Study. The Council discussed the proposed Specific Plan Amendment Study and agreed that, although the comprehensive Specific Plan update was important, this project would benefit the community and fit in with the downtown vision. On motion of Cm Hildenbrand, seconded by Vm. Oravetz and by unanimous vote (Cm. McCormick absent), the City Council adopted RESOLUTION NO. 185 - 06 APPROVING THE INITIATION OF A DOWNTOWN CORE SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT STUDY FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7099 AMADOR PLAZA ROAD (APN 941-0305-026) .. Informational Report on Off-Site Signage/ Advertising for the Alameda County Fair within City Limits 8:51 p.m. 8.2 (450-20) Associate Planner Marnie Nuccio presented the Staff Report and advised that the City Council would provide Staff with direction on regulating and controlling off-site signage within City limits. The Council agreed that it would be beneficial to co-sponsor the event, and engaged in a question and answer session with Staff regarding banner fabrication and placement within the City. The Fair should pay for the fabrication of the banners, as it did in Pleasanton. On motion of Mayor Lockhart, seconded by Cm. Hildenbrand and by unanimous vote (Cm. McCormick absent), the City Council agreed to co-sponsor the Alameda County DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES VOLUME 25 REGULAR MEETING September 19, 2006 PAGE 320 IY~\lP Fair and include Alameda County Fair banners in the City's Banner Program, and directed Staff to bring back the design for approval, and place 12 banners throughout the City at the appropriate time. .. Location of St. Patrick's Day Events 9:01 p.m. 8.3 (950-40) Parks & Community Services Director Paul McCreary and Recreation Coordinator Lorri Polon presented the Staff Report and advised that, due to the limited amount of space available along Amador Valley Boulevard for the S1. Patrick's Day Festival, the Council would consider options for downsizing the event or relocating it to Civic Plaza or another location. The Council would also consider alternative routes for the Parade and Fun Run. Staff recommended that the Council: 1) Determine if Festival would remain on Amador Valley Boulevard or be relocated to Civic Plaza or direct Staff to evaluate other specific locations for Council consideration; 2) If Festival would be at Civic Plaza, select Alternative A as the preferred parade route or provide alternate direction; 3) If Festival would be a Civic Plaza, approve proposed Fun Run route or provide alternate direction. Council and Staff engaged in a question and answer session regarding the options presented and discussed the various pros and cons of each. The need for adequate parking, as well as continuity between the parade route and the Festival were a concern. Bill Burnham, Lions Club Parade Coordinator, advised that the Lions Club preferred Parade Route Option A, and asked that the City work closely with them regarding the details. The Council agreed that the festival location needed to accommodate the growing event, and having it at the Civic Center might take a while to catch on but would be a positive step in the long run. On motion of Cm. Zika, seconded by Cm. Hildenbrand and by unanimous vote (Cm. McCormick absent), the City Council determined that the Festival would be relocated to Civic Plaza; selected Alternative A as the preferred parade; and approved the proposed Fun Run route. ..... DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES VOLUME 25 REGULAR MEETING September 19, 2006 PAGE 321 lilt SOUNDS OF SU/M\ER las: 22 hI 8 \~ \l.D March 16, 2007 City of Dublin City Council c/o Chris Foss Economic Development Director 100 Civic Plaza Dublin, California 94568 Subject: Revised Proposal for Banners in Downtown Dublin Dublin City Council; The Alameda County Fair Association respectfully requests the opportunity to display banners on the light poles in the City of Dublin's downtown area to promote the annual Alameda County Fair event. The Alameda County Fair, the largest event in the Tri-Valley, exists to showcase the people, talents and achievements of the region. It is with this purpose in mind that we embark on creating and continuing partnerships with our local communities. The Association is interested in creating a closer synergy with the City and Community of Dublin. For your approval, the Association proposes to promote the Alameda County Fair with the City of Dublin in the following ways: · 12 poles in Dublin's downtown area (See locations listed below) · Amador Valley Blvd. - East · Dublin Blvd./San Ramon Rd. - East & West · Dublin Blvd./Village Pkwy - East & West · Dublin Blvd./Dougherty Rd. - East & West · Dublin Blvd. - East · Dublin Blvd./Hacienda Dr. - East & West · Dublin Blvd./Tassajara Rd - East & West · 24 banners on poles (Two on each side of poles) · A link to the Alameda County Fair website on the City of Dublin's website. . Banners to be displayed from May 23rd to July ih 2007. We're excited about the opportunity to partner with the City of Dublin to announce the Fair's arrival in 2007 and for years to come. If you have any questions regarding this proposal, please contact April Mitchell at 925.426.7565. Since~, ..... 6}1W7~LveJj} Apriltrit:hel; Event Sales & Marketing Manager ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR - 4501 PLEASANTON AVE - PLEASANTON, ( TEL: (925) 426-7600 - FAX: (925) 426-7599 Attachment 3 \ l,s) ~ \ It> ~ALA I JUNE JULY JUNE JULY I , ; ., '~'.~,;rn I: :1 J~- T - -- ~Jfff ~ ~_____~6 JUNE JUL~ Attachment 4