Springdale planning commission recommends allowing A-frame portable signs with conditions

The Springdale Planning Commission voted 4-0 on Sept. 17 to recommend that the Town Council amend Chapter 10.24 of the Springdale Town Code to allow A-frame and other portable signs on commercial property, with limits on materials, colors, overnight display and maintenance.

The change would allow one portable sign per property unless multiple businesses occupy the same parcel; in that case each business would be allowed one sign provided each business has at least 1,000 square feet of business floor area. The proposed language would require sign faces and frames to comply with the town's color palette (black, white, or town-approved colors), prohibit inflatables attached to the signs, require frames to be constructed of wood or metal, and include a maximum dimension in the draft (discussed at about 50 inches).

Town staff member Nile Connolly summarized the draft ordinance during the public hearing: "Frame and portable signs would now be allowed on commercial properties. . . . The signed frame must be constructed of wood or metal." Business owner and former mayor Stan Smith told the commission he supported allowing A-frame signs and urged the commission to consider practical details such as materials and hours: "I wholeheartedly support, that we have a frames back into the into for the businesses." He said plastic faces are more durable than untreated wood for Springdale's sun and heat and asked that the commission require signs be kept in good condition.

Commission discussion centered on three practical conditions that the commission asked staff to include when drafting the ordinance for the council: permit plastic sign faces so long as they conform to the town color palette; require signs be removed overnight (the commission asked staff to mirror the town's existing illumination curfew language tied to sunset/close of business and sunrise/1 hour prior); and require signs be maintained in "good repair" and be of sturdy construction. Staff noted related enforcement language already exists in the town code: section 10.24.2 lists "dilapidated signs" and signs that are not in compliance with safety and maintenance standards as prohibited.

Commissioner Terry Kruschke made the motion recommending approval, Commissioner Rich Swanson seconded, and the commission voted "aye" from Kruschke, Tom, Kosh and Swanson; the motion passed. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Town Council after staff edits. Nile Connolly said he would "make edits to the proposed language, based on your recommendations and then present back to the town council."

Staff and commissioners discussed enforcement limits: code enforcement officers are not typically on night patrol, so the commission framed the overnight rule to create a clear obligation for businesses while acknowledging enforcement would be complaint-driven unless a widespread problem emerges. Commissioners also discussed limiting sign placement so signs do not obstruct the right-of-way or pedestrian flows and noted the draft already restricts signs that block entries or pedestrian circulation.

Next steps: staff will prepare revised ordinance language reflecting the three conditions and present it to the Town Council for consideration. The commission did not set a council date during the meeting.