Title
Waldo Road Sign Standards (B)
Explanation
This item deals with the provision of sign standards along the Waldo Road corridor and is being referred to the CRA by the City Commission after recommendation to the City Commission by the Economic Development University Community Committee (EDUCC).
Over the past several months, the EDUCC has reviewed the status of the City of Gainesville sign code as it pertains to the Waldo Road corridor. This analysis by the Committee was undertaken in anticipation of future development along the corridor. Current sign code provisions regarding existing and future signage along Waldo Road was of particular concern to the EDUCC representative from the University of Florida.
The EDUCC discussed the existing situation in the context of staff-provided background, as detailed in the October 26, 2006 memo, and directed that modifications in sign code provisions be made in an attempt to promote a pleasing aesthetic and economic development environment and that modification be made in the existing Eastside CRA funding program to provide encouragement in the improvement of signs. The November 21, 2006 memo drafted by staff regarding Waldo Road signage attempts to fulfill that direction.
The EDUCC felt it important to develop sign code revisions and incentive provisions for the Waldo Road Corridor from E. University Avenue north to the City limits. The Eastside CRA extends from E. University Avenue to 16th Avenue NE and provides a prospective funding source for sign improvement incentives but the remainder of the Corridor falls outside the CRA boundaries.
The City Commission recently provided funding for a planning process associated with the Waldo Road corridor. However, EDUCC felt that sign improvement should be pursued in a timelier manner. Planning staff is taking a petition regarding Waldo Road sign regulations to the City Plan Board at its June meeting.
On December 11, 2006, Economic Development Direc...
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