On July 23, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1995 , which amended the Vacaville Municipal Code to include new policies, procedures, and standards for regulating digital freeway billboards. The City will begin accepting applications after the ordinance becomes effective on August 22, 2024. Project staff reports and public hearings can be viewed at the following website: https://www.cityofvacaville.gov/government/agendas-and-minutes
Where are digital billboards allowed?
New digital billboards are only potentially allowed in two areas in Vacaville through an entitlement process including a Development Agreement:
Interstate 80 between Leisure Town Road and Midway Road
Interstate 505 (west side only) between Vaca Valley Parkway and Midway Road
Digital billboards are not allowed along Interstate 505 within the Nut Tree Airport Area of Influence (AIA). New digital billboards along Interstate 80 within the AIA must be referred to the ALUC for a consistency determination. Signs are only allowed in Commercial and Employment zoning districts. The billboard must be at least 3,000 feet away from another digital billboard and cannot be located within 300 feet of any residences or lodging, such as hotels or motels.
What is the application process?
Digital billboards require approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), Major Design Review (DR), and Development Agreement (DA), which are subject to review by the Planning Commission and approval by the Vacaville City Council. Applications for new or converted digital billboards must participate in a DA, and applications must include clear provisions that result in substantial benefits to the community, such as the removal or relocation of existing static billboards; one-time installation fees with ongoing revenue-sharing; and/or community beautification.
Submitted applications are reviewed for completeness in accordance with the submittal checklist. Projects that are missing required information would be deemed incomplete and issued a completeness and design comments letter within 30 days of the submittal date.
As part of the application review, the City will evaluate applications to determine compliance with objective design standards, provisions for community benefits, and consistency with required findings. These include that the billboard (1) will not create a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic; (2) will comply with State and Federal law; (3) will provide public benefits to Vacaville through a Development Agreement that offset the billboard’s impacts; and (4) will have a design that reflects Vacaville’s identity, character, and history. Billboards that fail to meet these findings, and/or fail to provide substantial community benefits will not be recommended for approval.
What level of environmental review is required?
In 2024, the City of Vacaville prepared and circulated a draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Digital Freeway Billboards Zoning Text Amendments. The analysis disclosed the potential for 16 new billboards along Interstate 80 and Interstate 505, which was adopted by City Council on June 25, 2024. Each new application would be reviewed to determine consistency with the previous environmental analysis. Projects that fall within the previous analysis would not be required to conduct further environmental review. New projects that are outside the scope of the original analysis would be evaluated to determine the appropriate approach for conducting subsequent analysis in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
How do I apply to construct or convert a new digital billboard?
The City will begin accepting applications for digital freeway billboards on August 22, 2024. All development applications must be submitted in-person or via mail to Vacaville City Hall. Applications must include a completed Master Planning Application, the required application fees, and all required submittal items identified in the submittal checklist.
The Planning Division highly recommends reaching out to a planner prior to submitting an application to ensure a smooth application process. Please feel free to contact a planner by phone at (707) 449-5140 or by email at communitydevelopment@cityofvacaville.com.
What will digital billboards look like?
The ordinance outlines minimum design standards that all digital billboards must achieve. For example, all digital billboards must have City identification, such as the word “Vacaville,” the words “City of Vacaville,” or the City logo. Additionally, all billboard structures must incorporate Vacaville-specific designs and themes, such as golden hills, biotechnology, and/or agriculture.
The Digital Freeway Billboards Ordinance also updated the Vacaville Gateways Master Plan, which provides standards to create a unique and memorable visual experience along the Interstate 80 and Interstate 505 freeway corridors. The updated plan revised policies regarding digital billboards, adding Policy G1-2, which allows digital billboards if they enhance the freeway experience and provide offsetting community benefits. The design of new digital billboards and the landscaping surrounding billboard structures must be designed in compliance with the Vacaville Gateways Master Plan.
The ordinance also defines objective design standards for digital billboards, such as the maximum dimensions of the sign, the maximum number of sign faces, and the maximum height allowed.
Will static (standard) billboards need to be removed?
All proposals to establish new digital billboards or convert existing billboards must include the removal of at least three static (standard) billboard structures or four sign faces, whichever is greater.
Alternatively, if a digital billboard applicant does not have sufficient existing billboard structures or sign faces to meet the minimum removal ratio, an applicant may offer additional community benefits that offset the impacts of the project proposal. For example, a billboard applicant may choose to offer additional funding for parks, city beautification, or infrastructure.
How bright will digital billboards be?
Vacaville Municipal Code Section 14.09.260.100.B.4.c requires that digital billboards not operate at a brightness of more than 0.3 footcandles above ambient light. Additionally, digital billboards must incorporate techniques such as recessed illumination and automatic dimming devices to ensure that the light exhibited by the billboard does not impair the safety of travelers on the freeway and the surrounding area. Malfunctioning digital billboards must also be capable of being remotely shut off.
In addition to the requirements outlined in the ordinance, future digital billboards must also comply with all applicable State and Federal regulations.
Background
PUBLIC MEETINGS
City Council Meeting
The City of Vacaville City Council held a meeting on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at Vacaville City Hall, 650 Merchant St, Vacaville, CA 95688. The City Council voted 5-2 to approved the project; you can view the recording here.
Planning Commission Meeting
The City of Vacaville Planning Commission held a meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at Vacaville City Hall, 650 Merchant St, Vacaville, CA 95688. The Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend approval to the City Council; you can view the recording here.
Prior Meetings
The Planning Commission held a study session during their regular meeting on March 19, 2024, regarding digital freeway billboards and the proposed amendments to the Sign Ordinance and the City Gateways Design Master Plan (“Gateways Plan”).
On Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 6 pm, the Community Development Department hosted acommunity meeting.
On Monday, October 30, 2023 at 6:00 pm the City facilitated a Community Meeting to solicit comments on the proposed ordinance. You can view the video below.
STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS
Monday, March 11, 2024 at 4 pm - The City held a Stakeholder Meeting with interested groups to solicit comments on the draft amendments to the Sign Ordinance and City Gateways Design Master Plan.
Prior Stakeholder Meetings
On Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 4:00 pm the City facilitated a Stakeholder Meeting with interested groups to solicit comments on the proposed ordinance. You can view the video below.
Environmental Review Documents
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City of Vacaville is the Lead Agency for the project. The City has prepared an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Digital Freeway Billboards Zoning Text Amendments and Clear Channel Outdoor’s proposed digital billboard conversion.
Public Review Period
The Digital Freeway Billboards Zoning Text Amendments and Clear Channel Outdoor Digital Billboard Conversion Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was circulated for public review and comment from April 18, 2024 through May 20, 2024, and comments on the IS/MND were provided to decision-makers. Written comments on the scope of the IS/MND were sent to the following contact:
Noah Rumbaoa (he/him) Assistant Planner City of Vacaville 650 Merchant Street Vacaville, CA 95688 Phone: (707) 449-5430 Noah.Rumbaoa@cityofvacaville.com
Copies of the final IS/MND are available for review in-person at the City of Vacaville Community Development Department offices located at 650 Merchant Street, Vacaville, CA 95688.
On March 13, 2023, the City of Vacaville received a development application from Clear Channel Outdoor to convert an existing 672 sq. ft. static billboard into a 672 sq. ft. digital freeway billboard. The billboard structure is part of a trio of static billboards located along eastbound Interstate 80 and north of Kilkenny Road in the Northeast Growth Area. Clear Channel’s application included a request to amend the City’s Sign Ordinance to convert existing static freeway billboards into digital billboards. Additional information on Clear Channel’s application can be found at the following link: cityofvacaville.gov/23-027.
On August 22, 2023, the Vacaville City Council held a study session to discuss removing the prohibition on digital freeway billboards and to provide direction on key considerations regarding aesthetics, legal ramifications, and financial support. The Council indicated that they would like to allow digital freeway billboards in Vacaville and asked staff to conduct public outreach and create development standards for new digital freeway billboards.
Following meetings with stakeholders and the community, City staff will be returning to City Council to review community feedback and to discuss options for a Digital Freeway Billboard Ordinance. Interested parties are encouraged to attend this City Council meeting to provide input on the future Ordinance.
The table below provides some guiding questions that will be considered throughout the Ordinance development process.
ORDINANCE BUILDING BLOCKS
GUIDING QUESTIONS
REVENUE
What monetary obligations should the City require for new digital freeway billboards?
How should revenue generated from digital freeway billboards be used?
LOCATION
Which parts of Vacaville are most suitable for digital freeway billboards?
Should digital freeway billboards be allowed in Lagoon Valley? Between Alamo Drive and Leisure Town Road? In the Northeast Growth Area?
PLACEMAKING
What kind of City theming and branding should new digital freeway billboards be required to provide?
STATIC BILLBOARD REMOVAL
How many existing static (standard) billboards should be removed before allowing a new digital freeway billboard?
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
What times of the day should digital freeway billboards be allowed to operate?
How long should each billboard message be displayed?
Should digital freeway billboards adjust their brightness depending on the time of day and season?
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
How tall should digital freeway billboard structures be?
How much distance should be required between billboards?
PLANNING ENTITLEMENTS
What type of Planning approvals should be required for digital billboard development in Vacaville? Director level, Planning Commission, or City Council?
