Fountain Hills planners debate expanding downtown sign rules; no formal change adopted

The Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission on May 12 discussed potential revisions to Chapter 6 of the town zoning ordinance that governs sign types and display limits in the downtown and commercial areas.

Commissioners heard staff present a range of options — from allowing more A-frame signs and lengthening banner-permit durations to creating rules for railing signs and setting different limits on yard signs during election season — and took public comment from a Chamber of Commerce representative and a resident who raised safety concerns about railing signage.

The discussion matters because any change would affect downtown visibility for businesses, the town’s visual character along avenues such as the Avenue of the Fountains, and homeowner and public-safety concerns.

Staff summarized current rules and suggested edits. Under the existing ordinance for A-frame signs staff said each commercial business may place one A-frame sign (two if the business has two public entrances); one sign may be up to 6 square feet, or a cumulative 9 square feet if two signs are allowed, and display is restricted to between sunrise and sunset. At the January Council meeting, a council member proposed…