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The Supreme Court Reed decision has broad implications on local sign ordinances nationwide, in that <br />most local sign ordinances contain some level of sign regulation based on content, and interpretations of <br />the full impacts of the decision are still evolving. Although some localities in Florida have revised their <br />sign ordinances following the Reed decision, most local ordinances have yet to be revised. The City of <br />Sebastian has begun some incremental changes (i.e., to address political signs), but otherwise local <br />ordinances in this county and region are pending revision. Regarding Indian River County's sign <br />ordinance, the County's regulations currently contain a number of sign defmitions that are based on <br />content, and the County's ordinance makes distinctions in its regulation of temporary signs that appear to <br />be inconsistent with the Supreme Court Reed decision. Those distinctions include regulation of political <br />campaign signs differently than other types of temporary signs. <br />At the Board of County Commissioners' July 5, 2016 meeting, Commissioner Peter O'Bryan raised the <br />issue that the County's sign ordinance needs to be reviewed and revised in light of the Supreme Court <br />Reed decision. The Board agreed and directed staff to revise the ordinance, particularly LDR Section <br />956.15, Regulations for temporary signs requiring permits (see minutes, Attachment 3). <br />Staff' has since reviewed the County's sign regulations in coordination with the County Attorney and has <br />drafted proposed amendments narrowly focused on content -neutral items (see Attachment 5 to this <br />report). Staff is now presenting those proposed amendments to the Board for consideration. <br />Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendations <br />At a public hearing opened at a December 8, 2016 meeting and continued to a January 26, 2017 meeting, <br />the County Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) considered the proposed ordinance (see minutes, <br />Attachment 4 to this report). <br />At the December 8, 2016 meeting, PZC members reviewed the proposed revisions presented at that time <br />and provided comments and recommendations, summarized as follows: <br />• Temporarysigns on construction sites: revise to require a separation distance from easements (as <br />well as rights-of-way); allow signs closer to property line's (10 foot setback instead of 20 foot <br />setback); and accommodate a sign for a small developer/builder who owns fewer than 10 lots in a <br />subdivision. Staff revised the initial draft to address these issues. <br />• On -premises yard or window signs (such as/including_ political signs): during periods of election, <br />allow one sign per each candidate, issue, or topic on an election ballot rather than a set limit such <br />as a maximum of 4 signs per lot or parcel; allow opportunity for more signs on parcels with <br />extensive road frontage than allowed on standard sized lots. Staff revised the initial draft to <br />address this item. <br />• Regulations for active subdivision or real estate development: in addition to allowing one sign for <br />each authorized agent representing 10 or more lots within a development, allow signage for an <br />agent representing less than 10 lots. Staff revised the initial draft to address this item. <br />• Temporary signs of limited geographic scope and number (permit exempt) consider allowing <br />display of such signs for more days per year so as not to constrain frequent use of signs for real <br />estate sales (e.g., off -premises signs for open houses). To address this comment, staff changed the <br />initially proposed 18 day sign display cap to 24 days, which allows more opportunity for off - <br />premises display of such signs but retains a cap to deter proliferation and clutter. <br />At its January 26, 2017 meeting, the PZC concluded its public hearing and voted 5-0 to recommend that <br />the Board of County Commissioners adopt the proposed (revised) ordinance with some suggestions to <br />staff to consider adding certain details. Since the January 26 meeting, consistent with suggestions <br />P189 <br />