DRAFT GUIDELINES ADVERTISING SIGNAGE ON ROAD RESERVATIONS ACCESSIBLE FOOTPATH ZONES April 2017 F17/39946 Version 2.1
1. Introduction Footpaths were traditionally designed for pedestrian traffic, however as the City has developed there has been an increased commercial demand on this community asset, including the placement of advertising signage. The City of Hobart is committed to working with traders to manage and maintain quality retail and commercial areas but also must consider the amenity of the area, accessibility and the streetscape appearance for the whole community. This document describes the guidelines for the placement of advertising signboards on streets that have been designated by the General Manager as Accessible Footpath Zones. 1.1 What is an Accessible Footpath Zone? Streets that have been designated as Accessible Footpath Zones as at April 2017, and therefore subject to this document are the following: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Liverpool Street (from Elizabeth Street to Murray Street); Morrison Street (from Elizabeth Street to Murray Street); Salamanca Place (from Gladstone Street to Montpelier Retreat) Effective Post Construction; Sandy Bay Road (from Byron Street to Russell Crescent) Effective Post Construction. These streets have recently been, or are in the process of being reconstructed and have been designed with upgraded footpaths, which provides an opportunity to reorganise how the footpath is managed. Other streets may be added to the schedule of Accessible Footpath Zones as they are reconstructed or rebuilt. 1.2 Why are Accessible Footpath Zones considered different? This is an interim phase in how the Council manages its footpaths and is the first step towards improving the accessibility of the City. By June 2018, the City of Hobart aims to transition from the current arrangements where signboards are placed against the building line, to a best practice approach where the building line is kept clear of obstructions to assist the equitable movement of pedestrians with disabilities. As part of this transition, certain streets (typically where the streets have been reconstructed and rebuilt) will be declared as Accessible Footpath Zones, all signboards will be managed in accordance with the best practice approach. 2. The Guidelines A person may place advertising signage on the public footpath in front of their business, provided the design of the signage and placement of the signage complies with the guidelines below: 2.1 What signs are allowed? Signboards that meet the following design guidelines: No larger than 1050mm high by 650mm wide; Advertising Signage on Road Reservations Accessible Footpath Zones April 2017 Page 1
A double sided opening sandwich board type with the two sides securely connected at the top and rigidly held open by a solid strut fixed in place against the inside of each side of the signboard; When placed, the bottom of the signboard must be no more than 20mm above the footpath surface, and; The legs of the sign must not protrude beyond the extremities of the signboard faces. An example of a conforming signboard design is shown in Figure 1, below: 0.65m 1.05m Figure 1 Example of Conforming Signboard Placement In special circumstances where signboards can be placed such that they are not causing a hazard to pedestrians or are in danger of falling over in high winds an alternative design may be permitted by the General Manager. 2.2 Where can signs be placed? The signboard is to be placed: On the area of footpath directly outside the premises owned or occupied by the person seeking to place the signboard which is bordered by the boundaries of the premises and the road; Only one sign board per premises is to be placed on the footpath unless an additional signboard is approved by the General Manager for corner sites; The signboard is to be placed such that the minimum clear pedestrian zone, minimum and maximum kerbside zones identified in Table 1, are maintained. Advertising Signage on Road Reservations Accessible Footpath Zones April 2017 Page 2
Table 1 Minimum Dimensions Declared Accessible Footpath Zones) Street Between And Footpath Liverpool Elizabeth Murray Morrison Salamanca Place Sandy Bay Road Elizabeth Brooke Brooke Murray Minimum Clear Pedestrian Zone (metres) Minimum Kerbside Zone (metres) Maximum Kerbside Zone (metres) North South 2.4 0.6 1.0 North 1.8 0.6 1.0 South 1.8 2.0 2.0 North South 2.4 0.6 1.0 Gladstone Montpelier South 3.0 1.5 - Byron Queen King Queen King Russell East West East West East West 1.8 0.6 - Signboards are not to be left on footpaths when the business is closed; Only those premises with a ground floor direct frontage to the public footpath may place a signboard on the footpath; At commercial arcades, up to two signboards advertising multiple businesses may be placed on the public footpath in front of the common area of the arcade, provided the signboards are manufactured, owned and managed by the Body Corporate, arcade owner, or equivalent representative body, and; Signboards may not be placed on a footpath adjacent to an accessible parking space, a bus zone or taxi rank. An example of a conforming signboard design placed on a footpath is shown in the Figure 2, below: Figure 2 Example of Conforming Signboard Placement Advertising Signage on Road Reservations Accessible Footpath Zones April 2017 Page 3
2.3 What signs are not allowed? Signboards that do not comply with one or more of the Design or Placement guidelines. These signboards may only be placed after obtaining a licence issued under the Highways By Law permitting that placement. When considering whether or not to issue a licence, the General Manager would consider matters including whether the design is suitably resistant to collapse and overturning in strong winds, whether the design assists pedestrians with disabilities avoid protrusions, and whether the placement of the sign is an obstruction to pedestrians and other road users. An Occupation Licence for a non-compliant signboard, should it be issued, would be charged at the annual fee as published in the Council s fees and charges booklet. Signboards that fail to comply with either the By-Laws or the permit conditions of any licence issued for that signage, are to be removed on request. Signboards that are not removed on request may be removed from the footpath by a Council officer. Traders may be prosecuted for failing to comply with the By-Law or permit conditions after receipt of one written notice. 3. Enquiries Should you have any questions, please contact the Council s Senior Engineer Roads and Traffic on telephone 6238 2128. Alternatively, enquiries can be made via email to coh@hobartcity.com.au. Advertising Signage on Road Reservations Accessible Footpath Zones April 2017 Page 4