On December 15, 2020, City Council adopted Ordinance 2020-2193 that established standards for outdoor displays in commercial zoning districts. At the time of the City Council adoption of the ordinance, City Council directed staff to bring back a separate ordinance for outdoor displays in the Downtown zoning district.
Numerous businesses within the Downtown district are displaying their products for sale or rent outside an enclosed building in conjunction with sales conducted within the building. The unregulated display of products outside an enclosed building creates a safety hazard, visual blight, and opportunities for criminal activity. The principal purpose of outdoor displays should not be to provide additional retail space but to allow retailers the opportunity to attract the public by displaying a sample of the products available within the building. Presently, the Land Development Code does not have specific standards relating to outdoor displays in the Downtown zoning district.
The proposed ordinance addresses this omission by establishing a set of standards for the outdoor display of merchandise within the Downtown zoning district. The ordinance amends Subsection 4 Section 7.22.05 of Chapter 7 of the LDC by providing standards for outdoor displays in the Downtown zoning district.
The Land Development Review Board reviewed the proposed ordinance at their meeting on January 21, 2021 and recommended approval with the following changes:
1. Add a cap of 20 feet to the calculation of the 40% area for the placement of outdoor displays.
2. Outdoor displays in front of a window is limited to 3 feet unless approved by the Development Review Committee to extend the height to 5 feet with a finding of no public hazard.
3. Clarify that the signage limitation is related to the maximum allowed signage for the building.
4. Clarify that both the merchandise and the display units must be removed at the close of business each day.
The recommended changes by the LDRB have been incorporated into the proposed ordinance which is attached for Council's consideration.
The changes that City Council requested at first reading on February 2, 2021 have been incorporated by the City Attorney into the proposed ordinance which is attached for Council's review and approval.