An Ordinance amending Title 20 Zoning, Chapter 20.10 Supplemental Use Regulations, to create a Civic and Cultural District, and Chapter 20.18 Sign Regulations, Article IV On-Premises Sign Regulations, to create standards for Civic and Cultural District signs of the El Paso City Code. The penalty is as provided for in Chapter 20.24 of the El Paso City Code.

1. Downtown Cultural &
Entertainment District
Mathew McElroy, Director
March 3, 2014

2. Title 20 Zoning Amendment
• Chapter 20.10, Supplemental Use Regulations
• Chapter 20.18, Article IV (On-Premises Sign Regulations)
1. Background
2. Purpose of the Proposed Amendment
3. Proposed Amendment

3. Background
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In an effort to create a vibrant Civic and Cultural District, there needs to be
flexibility in the sign regulations which coincide with the design and types of
uses found in this area of the city.
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Flexibility in a ―Civic and Cultural District‖ is determined by an established
boundary.
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Within this boundary, signs are not subject to the sign regulations of the base
zoning district. Instead, they will be able to take advantage of the more flexible
sign standards established by the overlay.

4. Purpose of Proposed Amendment
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This District is intended to serve as a public gathering place where regulations
will allow for participants to move seamlessly between buildings, rights of
way, pedestrian facilities, and dedicated parks. Design standards and use
regulations are intended to allow for flexibility and innovation such that the
goal of creating a quality public space can be met.
• Will be achieved by:
• Allowing for a variety of sign sizes, types, and technologies
associated with uses such as: professional sports, cultural events,
festivals, outdoor markets and other entertainment events.

5. Proposed Amendment
• Add Chapter 20.10.146 Civic and Cultural
District to supplemental use regulations.
– Establishes the district and states its purpose.
• Regulations should allow for a variety of sign sizes, types, and
technologies associated with professional sports, cultural events,
festivals, outdoor markets and other entertainment events where
large numbers of people congregate, and where street closures
may regularly be required. The advertising and messaging allowed
within the district should be as varied as the events that take place
within it.
– Identifies the district boundary.

7. Proposed Amendment (cont.)
20.18 Article IV On-Premises Sign Regulations
A. Civic and Cultural District Signs are not subject to the sign regulations of the base zoning district.
1. Permit required: yes.
2. The property shall be zoned C-4 or C-5.
3. Off premise advertising shall be prohibited.
4. All CEVM displays shall be illuminated at a level no greater than 0.3 foot-candles over ambient
light levels for the location and time.
5. A CEVM display shall be equipped with both a dimmer control and a photocell which
automatically adjusts the display's intensity according to natural ambient light conditions.
6. The CEVM display shall contain a default mechanism to show a "full black" image or turn the
sign off in case of malfunction or shall be turned off within twelve hours of a reported
malfunction.
7. The CEVM shall not resemble or simulate any traffic control or other official signage.
8. The use of flashing, strobing lights on the CEVM or any portion of the frame or mounting
structure is prohibited.
9. The sign owner shall provide on the sign permit the contact information of a person who is
available at all times and who is able to turn off any changeable electronic variable message
sign promptly after a malfunction occurs.
10. The sign owner shall within twelve hours of receiving a written notification from the City of a
malfunction with the sign shall correct the malfunction, cause a "full black" image to be
displayed, or power off the sign.

8. Sports Stadiums

17. Museums & Cultural Venues

23. The Alternative
• 9 pages of
standards for
a similar
result

24. The Alternative
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Primary and Decorative Flags / Vertical Banners.
Maximum area
87 sq. ft. per flag or vertical banner
Minimum height
Six feet from pole base to the bottom of the flag/vertical banner
Lighting
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External
Spacing
None
Time limit
None
Permitted in right—of—way
Primary or Decorative Flags – Only when attached to a facility
Vertical Banners – Yes

25. The Alternative
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Up to 100% of each flag and vertical banner located within the Civic
and Cultural District may display the name and logo of any and all of the
following: (1) products, services and entities located within the Civic and
Cultural District, (2) teams at the ballpark facility and events (including
pre—event and post—event entertainment) within the Civic and Cultural
District, (3) any product, service or company having a promotional
relationship for such teams or events (including, but not limited to,
naming rights holders, multiple event sponsors and individual event
sponsors) and (4) special community sponsored events. For purposes of
this Section, a "special community sponsored event" is an event
sponsored by community based, nonprofit entities, approved by City
Council.

26. The Alternative
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Sponsor panels for products, services and entities located within the
Civic and Cultural District and products, services and companies having
a promotional relationship with teams at the ballpark facility or events
(including pre—event and post— event entertainment) occurring within
the Civic and Cultural District (including, but not limited to, naming
rights holders, multiple event sponsors and individual event sponsors)
shall be permitted on ground signs. A sponsor panel must be removed if
the sponsor product, service or company ceases to be located within the
Civic and Cultural District and/or all applicable promotional
relationships (with respect to such sponsor panel) with teams at the
ballpark facility or events occurring within the Civic and Cultural District
end.

27. The Alternative
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H. Air Balloons.
Maximum area
None
Maximum height of balloon
100 feet
Lighting
Internal or External
Spacing
50 feet
Time limit
Sixty (60) consecutive days for each special event.

28. The Alternative
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K. Archway Banners.
Permissible location: attached to the inside of an open archway.
Maximum area: 750 sq. ft.
Maximum height: top of open archway.
Maximum number: one per corner ticketed entrance and six per side of
the facility.
Torn or severely weathered banners shall not be permitted.
Sponsor panels displaying the name and logo of any and all of the
following may be located on any portion or all of each archway banner:
(a) products, services and entities located within the Civic and Cultural
District, (b) teams at the ballpark facility and events (including pre—
event and post—event entertainment) within the Civic and Cultural
District, and (c) any product, service or company having a promotional
relationship for such teams or events (including, but not limited to,
naming rights holders, multiple event sponsors and individual event
sponsors).