Agenda

Return

C.100

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Date:	January 15, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Wayfinding signs in County rights-of-way

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 01/15/2019

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

LEA CASTLEBERRY (925) 252-4500

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: January 15, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

DIRECT the Department of Conservation and Development to prepare amendments to the County Sign Ordinance to authorize wayfinding signs in County rights-of-way and to update the ordinance, as recommended by Supervisor Diane Burgis.

FISCAL IMPACT:

100% Land Development Fund. Conservation and Development, Public Works, and County Counsel staff costs associated with preparing amendments to the Sign Ordinance.

BACKGROUND:

The County Sign Ordinance (Chapters 88-6, 88-8, and 88-9 of the County Ordinance Code) prohibits signs in County rights-of-way. Recently, there has been interest in allowing wayfinding signs to be located in County rights-of-way. A “wayfinding” sign is a sign that is intended to help people unfamiliar with a geographical area find significant destinations and points of interest in that area. Wayfinding signs are often located in areas frequented by tourists.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

This Board order directs the Department of Conservation and Development to prepare amendments to the County Sign Ordinance to authorize wayfinding signs in County rights-of-way. DCD is directed to work with the Public Works Department to establish standards that will protect pedestrians and motorists from injury and property damage caused by unsafe, improperly constructed, and poorly maintained signs. This Board order also directs DCD to work with County Counsel to update the County Sign Ordinance. The ordinance has not been significantly updated since its adoption in the 1970s, and several court decisions have established new legal requirements for sign ordinances.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The Sign Ordinance would not be amended to allow wayfinding signs to be located in County rights-of-way.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

N.A.