Politics & Government

Council Agenda: Signs, White Flint, Transit and Trees

A report by REDI and a first look at the city employee pension system also are scheduled.

 

Changes to the city’s sign ordinance, a discussion of the city’s pension plan and presentations by REDI, the county’s transit task force and on plans for White Flint are on the Rockville City Council’s agenda for Monday. 

The Council at . The meeting will be broadcast live on Rockville 11.

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Sign ordinance hearing

The Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the city’s sign ordinance.

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The proposed revisions:

  • Allow one illuminated sign to extend above a roof by up to 15 percent of the building height.
  • Allow one off-premises sign up to 35 square feet in area and up to 25 feet tall.
  • Allow up to 18 off-premises signs, limited to 4 square feet in area and up to 10 feet tall, to be installed on existing light posts within an original preliminary development plan area.
  • Allow one freestanding off-premises monument sign up to 200 square feet in area. The sign is not to exceed 40 feet tall, and is only allowed on an adjoining property that also is subject to an approved preliminary development plan.

More signs

The Council also is scheduled to introduce other changes to the city’s sign ordinance.

The  address leasing contact information, signs in windows and logos and colors. City staff is advising against a proposal to allow different types of signs within new development projects. The Council discussed the proposed changes July 9 and plans to hold a final vote on the proposal on July 30.

Changes to the sign ordinance have been in the works since late 2010, when the Rockville Chamber of Commerce raised signs issues with the Council.

Pensions

The Council is scheduled to hold an initial discussion on a study of the city’s retirement plan. The study being considered would examine the costs and benefits of redesigning the defined benefit plan offered to city employees as part of their benefits package.

City staff recommends that the Council delay a decision on whether to commission a study until a Council work session on employee compensation and benefits. The work session is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 15. Such a study should cost no more than $40,000, staff recommended.

Councilman Mark Pierzchala, who represents the Council on the city’s Retirement Board, requested the discussion.

Presentations

The Council is scheduled to hear a number of presentations. Among them:

Tree care service

The consent agenda includes one item: A vote on approval of a contract for tree care services. The contract, to Olney Gardens Inc. T/A Pogo Tree Experts of Olney, is for up to five years and $3 million.


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