Agenda Item # 4
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
12/11/2012
Agenda Report # 130
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Wynnbrook Baptist Church - Variance Construct New Monument
Sign on Right-Of-Way
INITIATED BY: Engineering Department
Recommendation: Approval is requested for a variance to City Code Section
4.4.8. Signs in Public Right-of-way; to allow the continuance and structural
improvements to the existing monument style church sign located within the
right-of-way of River Knoll Way and River Road, State Route 219.
Background: Wynnbrook Baptist Church installed a monument style church sign
prior to the adoption of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The existing
monument sign is located in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of River
Road and River Knoll Way located within the right-of-way. This sign location
is on the opposite side of River Knoll Way from property owned by the church.
The face of the sign is 35 feet from the River Road edge of paving and 18 feet
from the curb face of River Knoll Way. You will find photos of the existing
church sign and the proposed new sign attached in Ecap.
Analysis: The UDO allows non-conforming signs to remain in place to include
performing normal maintenance. Any non-conforming sign that is upgraded shall
meet all current City Code requirements. Since the existing sign is not on
church property, a permit cannot be issued for the proposed improvements. The
church owns property along the north side of River Knoll Way that provides them
the opportunity to construct a new monument sign on private property meeting
the requirements of the UDO. The church does not own any property along the
south side where the existing sign is located.
The new monument sign includes an LED style screen which creates considerable
concern to traffic safety because of the brightness and glare to motorists. To
allow this nonconforming sign to be improved and located within public
right-of-way, a variance has to be approved by Council. Should Council
consider approving a variance, there are conditions that need to be included in
the variance.
1. The LED screen shall automatically dim to a lower lighting level for night
time and low light conditions to reduce glare to motorists. The Traffic
Engineering Manager shall meet with the owner to determine the acceptable
lighting levels during low light conditions for the LED screen.
2. The LED screen shall not display any flashing messages, displays, noise or
music.
3. Should the Federal, State or City provide any improvements to the roadway
and/or right-of-way for which this sign becomes a conflict, the sign will be
removed and/or relocated at no expense to any governmental agency.
The Georgia Department of Transportation agrees to issue a permit for the new
sign provided that the City approves an encroachment permit.
Financial Considerations: There are no costs to the City beyond administrative
cost for permitting and inspections.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: There are not future fiscal impacts
to the City.
Legal Considerations: A variance to the City Code requirements for private
signs on public right-of-way requires Council approval.
Recommendations/ Actions: Since Wynnbrook Baptist church has the ability to
build a new sign on private property meeting the City Code requirements,
neither the Engineering nor Inspections and Code Departments support the
requested variance.
RESOLUTION
NO.____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A VARIANCE TO CITY CODE SECTION 4.4.8 SIGNS IN
THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY; TO ALLOW WYNNBROOK BAPTIST CHURCH TO REBUILD THE
EXISTING NONCONFORMING MONUMENT CHURCH SIGN LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
OF THE INTERSECTION OF RIVER ROAD, S.R. 219 AND RIVER KNOLL WAY WITH A NEW
MONUMENT CHURCH SIGN WITH AN LED SCREEN.
WHEREAS, City Code Section 4.4.2 prohibits privately owned monument
signs to be installed within public rights-of-way other than those defined by
said section; and,
WHEREAS, the reconstruction of the existing monument sign shall meet
all other requirements of the UDO for Ground and Monument Sign Size and Height;
and,
WHEREAS, the new monument sign shall conform to the following
requirements:
1. The LED screen shall automatically dim to a lower lighting level for night
time and low light conditions to reduce glare to motorists. The Traffic
Engineering Manager shall meet with the owner to determine the acceptable
lighting levels during low light conditions for the LED screen.
2. The LED screen shall not display any flashing messages, displays, noise or
music.
3. Should the Federal, State or City provide any improvements to the roadway
and/or right-of-way for which this sign becomes a conflict, the sign shall be
removed and/or relocated at no expense to any governmental agency.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
THAT A VARIANCE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO CITY CODE SECTION 4.4.8 SIGNS
IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY; TO ALLOW WYNNBROOK BAPTIST CHURCH TO REBUILD THE
EXISTING NONCONFORMING MONUMENT CHURCH SIGN LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
OF THE INTERSECTION OF RIVER ROAD, S.R. 219 AND RIVER KNOLL WAY WITH A NEW
MONUMENT CHURCH SIGN WITH AN LED SCREEN. SAID MONUMENT SIGNS SHALL CONFORM TO
THE REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED HERE WITHIN.
_____________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia,
held on the _____ day of December 2012, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____ members of Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
___________________________________ _____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
Attachments