Rio Dell — The city council voted 4-0 to direct staff to amend municipal sign regulations to allow community-oriented billboards on the west side of Highway 101 and to pursue rezoning of small slivers of city-owned or adjacent land for that purpose.

Community Development staff told the council that current municipal code allows freeway-oriented billboards only in the Humboldt Garberville Business Park area and that accommodating additional signs near the wastewater disposal field would require rezoning small parcels from public-facilities to industrial or commercial and an amendment to the sign regulations.

The council motion instructs staff to send the amendment to the planning commission for consideration and to return to council following the commission’s review. The motion carried 4-0.

What was said and why

The item followed a request from local property owners and the chamber of commerce seeking a small, community-facing billboard to advertise services and provide direction for motorists exiting Highway 101. Community Development staff explained that the ordinance’s current setback/distance provisions effectively prevent any new signs on the west side of the highway without the zone and code amendments.

Property owner comments

Property owner Jesse Jeffries (identified in the meeting) and another local property owner (identified in the record as Wally) spoke in favor of changing the regulations, describing potential revenue and civic uses. Staff and council members noted an LED sign could also provide emergency messages for the city; council members said they would prefer a modest community sign and emphasized working with the chamber and property owners on design and operations.

Timeline and next steps

Staff advised the council the planning-commission review and city-council ordinance process would take approximately 60–75 days, including the commission hearing and two council readings if the council elects to proceed. The council’s approval at the meeting was only direction to prepare and refer the ordinance package; no sign permits were issued and no permanent changes were adopted at the meeting.

Ending

Staff will prepare an amendment to the municipal sign regulations, analyze necessary rezones for up to three small parcels near Highway 101, and place the item on the planning commission agenda at the council’s direction.