HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1987/03/03 Item 12 COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 12
Meeting Date 3-3-8 7
ITEM TITLE: Public Hearing: Consideration of Municipal Code amendments to
require large street address numbers that are easily visible
from the street
J
Ordinance c-2', (67 5Revision to Municipal Code, Chapter 12.48
to require large street address numbers easily visible from
the street
S LA.;, &D ADOPTION
SUBMITTED BY: Director of Planning (k --
REVIEWED BY: City Manager 91.,x (4/5ths Vote: Yes No X )
On March 31 , 1986, the City received a request from a member of the public
requesting that Council amend the Municipal Code to require all buildings to
have large lighted street addressed placed on the building so that they are
easily visible from the street. The request was directed to staff for further
study and a response.
RECOMMENDATION: Conduct public hearing and place ordinance on first reading.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: Not applicable.
DISCUSSION:
On March 31 , 1986, the City received a request from Mrs. Lisa Starr that the
City require large, lighted street numbers placed on all buildings so that the
address is easily visible from the street. Currently, Municipal Code Section
12.48.030 requires all street numbers be placed in figures at least 2-1/2
inches in height at some place in front of the building where the numbers may
be easily seen from the street. Street addresses must be in contrasting or
reflective colors. Municipal Code Sections 12.48.010 through 12.48.080
further regulate both the placement of street addresses on buildings and the
painting of addresses on curbs.
In general , the Fire Department and Police Department have indicated that they
are in favor of measures which would result in more visible street addressed
for reasons of public safety, with particular emphasis on requiring commercial
and industrial buildings to show street addresses on the back of the building
as well as the front, especially in complexes where there is no easily
discernable separation between two businesses.
Page 2, Item 12
Meeting Date---- :3;= g 7
The letter height suggested by the Fire Marshal for optimal visibility is 3
inches in height. The addresses need not be lighted as long as they are
painted in contrasting or reflective colors and are large enough to be read
easily from the street.
A new ordinance incorporating these requirements could only be effectively
enforced for new construction or remodeling, when those buildings are subject
to inspections. Once the buildings have occupancy and are not subject to
periodic inspections, enforcement of continuing compliance with the
requirements would be difficult. Older developments which originally had
visible street addresses might have been altered later so that addresses are
no longer visible.
In six other jurisdictions that were contacted regarding visibility, all of
those cities experienced similar situations. Street numbers with letter
heights ranging from 2 to 3 inches were required to be placed on all buildings
so that numbers were visible from the street, but compliance was limited to
enforcement during the building inspection process.
Revision of the ordinance to require street addresses which are readily
visible from the street should be accompanied by a program of educating the
public about the need for upgrading and maintaining visible addresses to aid
public safety agencies in an emergency. Special emphasis should be placed on
educating residents of mobilehome parks and seniors only residential
developments, where the incidence of response to medical emergencies is
higher, and location of individual units is more difficult.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
WPC 3596P //at
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by the City Council of by the C y Council of
Chula Vista, California Chula Vista, California
Dated (--7 --) - Dated 3 3 �_