Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
First Reading of Billboard Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.330 (Signs) of the Westminster Municipal Code.
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publichearing
• Staff Report
• Comments or Presentation from Applicant
• Comments from Appellant (If Applicable)
• Mayor and City Council Questions for Staff
• Public Comments
• Mayor and Council Member Discussion
• Council Action
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From: Adolfo Ozaeta, Assistant City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Stephanie Tomaino, Contract Principal Planner
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
The Planning Commission and staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council consider and introduce for first reading an Ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT (CASE NO. 2024-0188) AMENDING TITLE 17 OF THE WESTMINSTER MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 17.330, SIGNS, RELATED TO ELECTRONIC BILLBOARD FREEWAY SIGNS (BILLBOARD ORDINANCE),” read by title only and waive further reading.
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BACKGROUND
Over the last several years, the City Council has discussed priorities and goals for the City. As part of the City’s three-year strategic plan, first discussed on January 17, 2022, the City Council developed Strategic Plan Goal #1 to “Achieve Financial Stability.” One of the revenue ideas generated from these strategic planning workshops was to explore the implementation of the electronic billboards to allow for outdoor advertising along the CA State Route 22 and Interstate 405 freeways. Staff has presented several items to the Mayor and City Council over the years to further progress on this goal. This includes City Council approval on May 24, 2023, for the selection of a qualified firm for the use of city-owned real property to develop, construct, operate, and maintain electronic billboards; and City Council approval on December 13, 2023, approving lease and operating agreements with the City’s selected billboard operator.
Billboards are defined by Section 17.700.010 of the Westminster Municipal Code (“WMC”) as “any sign that identifies or communicates a commercial or noncommercial message referring to an activity, service, commodity, product, person, or event at a location other than where the sign is located.” Billboards are currently permitted in the city, in accordance with WMC Chapter 17.330 - Signs, and subject to Planning Commission approval of a Conditional Use Permit. However, the current regulations are outdated, ambiguous, and allow for billboards to proliferate throughout the city.
The proposed Zoning Text Amendments (referred to as the “Billboard Ordinance”) represent the next step in the City’s ongoing effort to make progress on Strategic Plan Goal #1. The proposed Billboard Ordinance would accomplish the following:
• Create uniform development and design standards;
• Update regulations to reflect current market conditions;
• Limit billboards to be placed along the freeway;
• Address new technologies, such as the use of digital and electronic displays;
• Mitigate potential impacts related to lighting, glare, and traffic safety; and
• Establish public benefits such as revenue sharing, public service announcements, and promoting local businesses.
Billboard applications will still require a Conditional Use Permit from the Planning Commission and a development or operating agreement from the City Council. The proposed ordinance is provided as Attachment 1 to this report.
The proposed Billboard Ordinance was previously considered at public hearings before the City Council on October 9, 2024, and October 23, 2024. The item was not discussed at the October 23, 2024 meeting due to lack of quorum.
The ordinance was also considered by the Planning Commission at public hearings on August 21, 2024, and September 18, 2024. Copies of the previous staff reports and attachments are available for download on the City’s website or upon request from the City Clerk’s Office. The Planning Commission recommended various modifications to the proposed Ordinance. The City Council provided comments recommending one change to the proposed Ordinance. Attachment 2 summarizes these changes, which are reflected in the current Billboard Ordinance in Attachment 1.
FISCAL IMPACT
The adoption of the proposed ordinance is expected to have a positive fiscal impact. Any new billboards, subject to Planning Commission approval, would require an agreement between the City Council and the applicant outlining the community benefits of the project. This agreement would include a mitigation fee, payable annually to the City, which would contribute to funding general services on an ongoing basis.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The proposed Billboard Ordinance introduces clear development standards that prioritize public safety, establish appropriate separation from residential areas, and enforce strict operational guidelines. These updates provide greater certainty for future projects and create opportunities for economic growth. The Planning Commission and staff recommend introducing for first reading the proposed Billboard Ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft City Council Ordinance adopting Zoning Text Amendment (Case No. 2024-0188)
2. Summary of Revisions - Billboard Ordinance
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager