COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, February 04, 2016

MOTION NO. 110

MOTION: Councillor M. Devine

"That this council establish a “task force” that will actively survey areas that are proliferated with signage that detracts from the local area and may well be illegal. To follow up with a report/ headed item that will be included at each council meeting"

Co-sponsored by Cllr J Graham

REPORT:

The Chief Executive acknowledges the content of the motion and advises that the Draft Plan has extensive references to signage and the quality of the public realm in the Draft Plan:

UC1 Objective 5: To promote and facilitate environmental and public realm improvements in existing town, village, district and local centres to address environmental quality, urban design, safety, identity and image.

TM3 Objective 4: To prioritise the upgrade of footpaths, lighting & public realm maintenance and supporting signage on public roads/paths where a demonstrated need exists for busy routes used by runners & walkers.

HCL 4 Objective 4: To reduce and prevent visual and urban clutter within Architectural Conservation Areas including, where appropriate, traffic management structures, utility structures and all signage.

11.2.8 SIGNAGE – ADVERTISING, CORPORATE AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

Signage relates to all signs erected on the exterior of buildings, within windows, as stand alone structures or attached to public utilities. Signage has the potential to give rise to visual clutter and to alter the character of an area and as such will be carefully assessed. Development proposals that include signage should take account of the following:

• In general, signs on a building should only advertise goods or services that are associated with the premises and no more than 2 advertising signs should be erected on any elevation.
• Signs should generally be limited to the ground floor of a building unless located directly over the entrance to a major commercial or retail building.
• Signs should be simple in design and integrate with the architectural language of the building and not obscure any architectural features.
• Signs should be proportionate to the scale of the building to which they are attached and sensitive to the surrounding environment.
• Signs attached to Protected Structures and in Architectural Conservation Areas should be in keeping with the character of the building and adhere to best practice conservation principles (see Section 11.5.3 Architectural Conservation Areas).
• Any sign or associated structure should not create an obstruction to pedestrian or cyclist movement or create a traffic hazard. Careful consideration should be given to the materials used in the construction of a sign and the methods used to light it.
• All signage within the traditional historical villages of the County must be respectful and enhance the historical context of the Architectural environment of these villages.

The issue of illegal signage in areas is a planning enforcement issue. In this regard, it is noted that Part VIII of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) sets out the legislative requirements for enforcement. The issue of enforcement is not addressed in Part II of the Act, which relates to the making of a County Development Plan. The establishment of a 'task force' would require the allocation of staff resources and is not a matter for the Development Plan.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.