CITY OF LAFAYETTE
City Statement Regarding the Memorial Display on Deer Hill RoadThe memorial display on the private residential property across from the BART station has two components – the crosses and other markers and a free-standing sign. The crosses and markers are considered to be memorial or historic signs which are exempt from permit requirements and are considered legal. However, the free- standing sign is not allowed by the Lafayette Municipal Code, because its size exceeds the maximum allowed area. The Municipal Code restricts the size of a sign on residentially zoned property to a maximum of four square feet. The Municipal Code does not regulate a sign’s content. The property owner’s representative was notified of this size requirement. The owner has the following options:Remove the sign and install one that meets the four square feet requirement, Apply for a sign permit along with a request to exceed the four square foot requirementRemove the sign altogetherThe sign is currently in violation of the Code. Lafayette intends to enforce its code in a consistent manner. It is important to note that it is not the content of the sign that is under scrutiny, but its size. Therefore, the City cannot and will not base any decision or action on whether people agree or disagree with the message on the sign.The Lafayette City Council will receive an update on this matter on Monday, November 27th. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m., at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette.
