BAN Electronic Message BILLBOARDS in the entire City of Oceanside CA (LCP Article 33) and Protect Our Coastal Identity

The following highlights some key elements of the City of Oceanside's
Sign Ordinance & the ALLOWANCE OF ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARDS (BILLBOARDS)

http://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2016/1/Th16b-1-2016.pdf
LCP-6-OCN-15-0041-4 (Sign Ordinances)
ARTICLE 33a,b,c City of Oceanside [72 pages long!] since 72 pages I am using the LCP text bc it has to be in line with Land Use Plans but trust me, the devil is the details of Article 33 abc
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Please pay attention to WORDING USED in COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PACKAGE in LCP & Article 33 There is consistently verbiage added that says that billboards are allowed BUT follows w/ a reference to not being allowed in the coastal zone. The redundancy is repeated in each sub-article which may confuse if read quickly or at a glance.
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i.e.. "would facilitate review & approval for OTHERWISE PROHIBITED Electronic Message Signs"
ie. " ...HOWEVER as proposed, these Electronic Message Signs would NOT be permitted in the coastal zone."
i.e.. "again, SUCH PROPOSALS would NOT be permitted in the coastal zone"

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In addition pay attention to the close wording of CITY-WIDE vs CITY OWNED.
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ie. The “City-owned Parcels” ordinance contains a policy that would permit the construction of four “private party” signs or billboards, to be approved at the City’s discretion, located on public land.
ie. City-wide lands” and “Downtown District” lands also include descriptions and regulations for Comprehensive Sign Packages,

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Excerpts Article 33 City Signage
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"The City new and revised Article 33 now be divided into three separate sub-articles to address different sign regulations within
a) Sub-Article 33A Citywide lands outside the downtown area
b) Sub-Article 33B - City-owned Parcels
c) Sub-Article 33C - Downtown District properties.

Each sub-article is comparably detailed and includes the basic principles guiding the review and approval of proposed signage, definitions for different types of signs, lists of allowable signs, lists of prohibited signs, procedures for sign approval (including applicable coastal development permits), and description of how non-conforming signs will be addressed.

The articles for the “City-wide lands” and “Downtown District” lands also include descriptions and regulations for Comprehensive Sign Packages, whereby certain properties are required to submit one comprehensive sign package instead of single sign permits.

The Comprehensive Sign Package would facilitate the review and approval for otherwise prohibited “Electronic Message Signs.”

Electronic Message Signs are defined in the ordinance as ‘[a] sign using electronic or digital technology, including but not limited to, LED (Light emitting diodes) or CCD (charge emitting diodes) or plasma, or their functional equivalent, which is capable of displaying, changing words, or changing images.

However, as proposed, these Electronic Message Signs would not be permitted in the coastal zone.

In addition, the Downtown District and Citywide sections also contain a policy that prohibits the construction of new billboards.

The “City-owned Parcels” ordinance contains a policy that would permit the construction of four “private party” signs or billboards, to be approved at the City’s discretion, located on public land.

However, again, such proposals would not be permitted in the coastal zone. The relocation of existing billboards into the coastal zone is prohibited under all three subsections.

Sub-Article 33B – City-owned Property Sign Ordinance
Sub-Article 33B applies only to those properties *** owned by the City of Oceanside;*** thus, the opportunity for signage is limited to the *************Harbor District,
*************City-owned parcels,
************* rights- of-way
************* and sidewalks.
As proposed, the article would allow for government signs, commercial mascots (on sidewalks during business hours) and special event and community signage.**** In the Harbor District, pole, ground, monument, wall, and courtesy signage are permitted. *****Courtesy signs are ***defined as signs whose message provides functional information for the convenience of the public, such as hours of operation, open/close, credit cards accepted, etc. Thus the majority of courtesy signs will be exempt from CDP requirements and will not result in impacts to coastal resources. Billboards (both new construction and relocation) and *************** digital display signage are prohibited both in the Harbor District and all other City-owned property.

As proposed, all non-exempt signage is required to obtain a coastal development permit. Through this process, land use plan policies are implemented and findings are required to be made that any development, either as proposed or as conditioned, will be found consistent with the certified LCP.

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LCP AMENDMENT Staff to CCC MISC EXCERPTS

"While the articles would allow new signage in the coastal zone, the amendment contains provisions that limit the types and size of signage permitted in the coastal zone in order to avoid or minimize impacts. Specifically, the proposed article will prohibit the construction of billboards and digital display signs (digital versions of billboards), and would not allow the relocation of any existing billboards within the coastal zone. In addition, the proposed amendment includes language that clarifies that **unless otherwise exempt***, all signage proposals located in the coastal zone must be authorized through a coastal development permit.

E. Signage
1. All signs should conform to the Oceanside Sign Ordinance.
2. In the coastal area, special consideration should be given to lowkey [sic] attractive signage that is subordinate to the coastal view.
3. ** Dignified and well maintained signs designed with respect for the scale and character of the street can enhance commercial areas.
When signs do not relate to the area, when they reach excessive size and when they feature blatant discordinant [sic] designs, they reflect poorly upon the overall quality of a commercial area.

... through the coastal development permit process, all smaller-scale proposals will have to be found consistent with the City’s LCP. In this manner, the certified land use plan policies are invoked, as applicable, and provisions for protection of public views or community character are implemented.

"...Historically, the Commission’s primary *****concerns with sign ordinances*** is that the provisions would allow signs that could ***adversely impact *** scenic resources & viewsheds to & along the ocean,add to general ****visual clutter***, or be ****out of character with the surrounding development***.