DeKalb Times

City of DeKalb Committee of the Whole met Feb. 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 5 p.m.

City Clerk Lynn Fazekas called the roll, and the following members of the City Council were present: Alderman Carolyn Morris, Alderman Bill Finucane, Alderman Tracy Smith, Alderman Greg Perkins, Alderman Scott McAdams, Alderman Mike Verbic, Alderman Tony Faivre, and Mayor Jerry Smith.

Also present were: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Principal Planner Dan Olson, City Attorney Matt Rose, and Management Analyst Jason Blumenthal.

B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOTION

Alderman Finucane moved to approve the agenda. Alderman Smith seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried 8-0 on roll call vote. Aye: Morris, Finucane, Smith, Perkins, McAdams, Verbic, Faivre, Mayor Smith. Nay: none.

C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

DeWayne Brown talked about signs, irresponsible advertising, and some history of signage. He said DeKalb has lost restaurants due to content restrictions to their signs, and the City should “proceed with caution ahead” in amending the rules.

D. CONSIDERATIONS

1. Consideration of Suggested Revisions to Chapter 23, “Unified Development Ordinance,” Article 13, “Signs.”

City Manager Nicklas said sign regulations must be amended to bring them in line with a Supreme Court decision that struck down content restrictions, but there are also considerations within the City’s purview as well.

Principal Planner Olson showed graphics of buildings, one with signs represented and labeled by type, another to help illustrate how sign area is calculated. Current restrictions such as numbers of signs and sizes of signs will be eased according to the proposed amendments, as would restrictions on temporary sign permits both commercial and non- commercial; variances would be granted based on unique need.

Planner Olson, City Attorney Matt Rose, and City Manager Nicklas then answered questions from Council that clarified the proposed amendments, including:

• Signs in special shapes (e.g., in the shape of a tool) and signs with characters on them would be allowed.

• Sign permit fees generally would not cover the administrative costs completely.

• Restrictions in the proposal would generally not apply to vehicles.

• Permanent signs are distinguished from temporary signs by types of materials and how they are anchored.

Council members expressed interest in the following measures:

• Informing the community of responsibilities when it comes to signage.

• A requirement for sandwich-type signs to be able to stand alone, unpropped.

• The ability to submit sign permit forms online.

Mayor Smith asked if there was consensus to proceed to move this proposal to Planning & Zoning Commission. No one voiced objections.

E. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO 5 ILCS (120/2)

No executive session was authorized during this meeting.

F. ADJOURNMENT

At 5:45 p.m., Mayor Smith asked for a motion to adjourn.

MOTION

Alderman Morris moved to adjourn Committee of the Whole. Alderman Faivre seconded.

VOTE

Motion carried by majority voice vote. Mayor Smith declared adjournment at 5:45 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02102020-1767