Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signs Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff previews rewrite of Denison sign code; proposes lower pole heights, bans on new billboards and certain banners
Summary
City staff previewed a comprehensive rewrite of Denison's sign code, proposing illustrated standards, a cap on new pole sign heights at 40 feet, and prohibitions on new billboards and defined wind devices.
City development services staff presented a high‑level update on a complete rewrite of Chapter 19 of the City of Denison code of ordinances, which sets rules for signage across the city.
"This new graphic will be will provide an illustration of this sign type as well as development standards, which relate to size, location, whether the sign is permitted or not, if there's a fee associated with it," said Miss Short, a development services staff member. She said the rewrite moves many of the current text‑based standards into illustrated tables to make requirements easier for residents, contractors and staff to understand.
Key proposals discussed include a prohibition on new pole billboards throughout the city (existing billboards would become nonconforming and could not be relocated), a prohibition on wind devices under a defined term, and a limit to pole sign height from the current 70 feet to a proposed 40 feet. Short said poll signs (pole signs) would still be allowed only on property adjacent to U.S. 75 and that the ordinance would address political signs and temporary banners by moving permissible banner mounting away from T‑posts toward fences or buildings for promotional displays.
Councilmembers asked for more context on existing tall signs along U.S. 75 and whether reducing allowable new heights could disadvantage new businesses compared with existing, taller signs. Short suggested staff could assemble a map showing which poles are at 70 feet. She also referenced regional trends and conversations with the Texas Department of Transportation; staff said some nearby cities are removing or limiting tall freeway signage and that TxDOT has asked permit jurisdictions to pause issuing new permits along the service road in some locations.
Short said the draft rewrite is under legal review to check free‑speech considerations and staff hopes to present a complete ordinance for council action at the next meeting; if additional time is needed the item could be scheduled for March.
