St. Charles businesses and property owners that have yet to bring their signs into compliance with city code will have the option to request an eight-month extension past an October deadline, officials decided Monday.
At a Planning and Development Committee meeting, aldermen voted in favor of a Plan Commission recommendation to amend the city’s zoning code to require property owners to submit a written request to extend the deadline to June 16, 2015, or else the current deadline — Oct. 16 — applies.
The council committee also recommended approval of an amendment to eliminate the city’s historic sign designation date of Jan. 1, 1966 and instead determine that signs are eligible for the designation 40 years after installation.
“It will continue to roll 40 years. It just seemed a bit easier to handle administratively,” said Plan Commission member Tim Kessler.
In October 2006, the city revised its zoning ordinance, which included a provision that all nonconforming signs be brought into compliance by Oct. 16, 2009. That provision was modified by City Council in 2009, 2011 and again in 2013 to give businesses until Oct. 16, 2014, to come into compliance.
Before 2006, nonconforming signs were allowed to exist.
“I don’t want to see us continue to move the date out,” said Ald. Art Lemke. “If (property owners) refuse discussion then the gate drops.”
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There are currently more than 40 free-standing signs that need to be changed in height or size or need to be set back in order to comply with the city’s zoning ordinance, according to a staff memo. Some businesses have obtained permits to install new signs.
Those that fail to meet the deadline or request an extension would be taken to court for adjudication, said Bob Vann, building and code enforcement division manager
The full City Council will vote on the recommendation for final approval later this month.