Committee advances amended sign‑code change to allow temporary feather signs in industrial districts; public hearing set

The Planning, Licenses and Development Committee voted unanimously to advance an amended version of an ordinance that would allow temporary feather (also called blade or sail) signs in the Industrial and Industrial Park districts, with limits on placement, spacing and duration.

Mary Brunner, community development staff, told the committee the change would create an exception in the sign code to permit feather signs — currently prohibited — in the two industrial districts as a temporary tool for businesses. “The intent here is to kind of help strike that balance between orderly, safe, aesthetically pleasing development and also allowing businesses to do what they need to do to be successful,” Brunner said.

Nut graf: The committee amended staff’s draft to add a 25‑foot minimum setback from intersections and then voted to ask the mayor to set a public hearing. The ordinance as revised would allow feather signs 20 square feet or smaller, with a sign permit required, displayed for up to 30 days at a time and no more than four times per property per year; signs must be spaced apart (staff’s draft used a 10‑foot spacing standard) and set back 15 feet from the property line, with a 25‑foot minimum from intersections added by the committee.

Staff and members discussed enforcement and potential spillover: Brunner said enforcement could be more complex if the rule is limited to only certain districts because code officers would need to verify zoning and permit status for complaints. She also flagged a fairness concern: other businesses in districts not covered by the change might expect the same permission. “There may be … a transition period where everyone kind of gets used to this new rule,” Brunner said.

The committee asked staff to prepare an A‑version reflecting the committee’s edits (including the 25‑foot intersection setback) and to present the amended draft at a public hearing. Councilor Phil Jones moved that the mayor set a public hearing; the motion passed unanimously.

Ending: The committee set the item for public hearing and requested staff return with an A‑version that incorporates the intersection setback and any additional adjustments to spacing or numerical limits staff recommends based on enforcement considerations.