Council hears options, concerns about full-window vinyl coverings and off-site advertising

Charles Bloom, planning and development director, told the council a property owner had requested permitting of vinyl window coverings that would cover entire storefront windows to advertise an off-site business. Under the Unified Development Code, Bloom said, such treatments are effectively considered billboards and complying would require substantial amendments to both billboard and on-premises sign regulations.

Seth Lloyd, Planning and Development Department, said current rules allow window treatments related to the on-site business and limit coverage in the ground-floor pedestrian area to 25% of the window. He noted that some existing downtown examples conform to that standard.

Council members discussed aesthetic tradeoffs for vacant downtown storefronts, with Dr. Aldridge saying using vinyl coverings can be “more aesthetically pleasing than having just an empty building with filthy windows.” Council Member Seagrave expressed concern about permitting advertising for off-site businesses, saying, “that could get pretty wild,” and asked for more thought about appropriate parameters.

Lloyd explained the Board of Adjustment route remains available, but he cautioned that the required findings for a variance — a hardship unique to the site — make approval of full-window advertising “very challenging.” The council did not direct staff to prepare an immediate ordinance change; staff said they would include affected licensing and health agencies in any future outreach.