Bristol City Council adopts sign rules, allows auto repair in M2 zone and approves multiple contracts

Bristol City Council on April 1 approved multiple ordinances and resolutions affecting zoning, public works and city contracts, including adoption of a new sign ordinance and a zoning change to allow automotive repair as a permitted use in the M2 industrial district.

The council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 25-4, which creates a new chapter of the zoning code dedicated to sign regulation and largely preserves rules for permanent signs while tightening rules for temporary signs, adding a definition for off-premise signage and prohibiting drone signs and advertising “sky dancers.” Planning staff said the work began in 2020 and the planning commission recommended the ordinance after more than 18 meetings and two work sessions.

Council also approved Ordinance 25-5 to amend Chapter 5 of the zoning ordinance to permit automotive repair and maintenance in the M2 zone. The measure passed on second reading following a public hearing; one council member abstained on the second-reading vote.

Council approved a first-reading ordinance to update pollutant limits in the city sewer code (Ordinance 25-6) after staff said the changes reflect periodic engineering reviews of plant capacity, industrial dischargers and state and EPA expectations. A rezoning request (Ordinance 25-7) to reclassify parcels along Bellbrook Road from R1A to R2 (single-family and duplex) passed first reading and will return for a second reading and public hearing.

On resolutions and contracts, council authorized an agreement with Pillar Design Studios to design a skate park master plan (Resolution 25-33, design phase budget $38,000), approved a not-to-exceed $24,000 professional design contract with HDLA to develop schematic concepts for the Shelby Lot event space (Resolution 25-36), and authorized a memorandum of understanding with Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center (Resolution 25-35). The council also approved a first-step resolution to begin the notification process for up to $10 million in general obligation bonds for capital projects (Resolution 25-34). Several procurement awards and operational agreements were approved through a consent agenda and separate resolutions, including sanitary sewer study services, generator purchase, tape library purchase, bids for Fire Station 3 restroom improvements, water-treatment equipment purchases and mowing/property maintenance contracts.

Council approved a first amendment to the wastewater operation and maintenance agreement with Inframark LLC and BVU Authority to add flexibility for biosolids disposal (Resolution 25-46). The amendment allows transfer of some biosolids to landfill disposal during adverse weather when land application is not feasible.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 25-4 (sign ordinance): adopted (roll call: 5–0 yes) - Ordinance 25-5 (allow auto repair in M2): adopted (second reading; roll call recorded with one abstention) - Ordinance 25-6 (sewer pollutant limits): approved on first reading (roll call recorded: 5–0 yes) - Ordinance 25-7 (rezoning, Bellbrook Road): approved first reading (roll call: 5–0 yes) - Resolution 25-33 (Pillar Design Studios – skate park design): approved (roll call: 5–0 yes) - Resolution 25-34 (initial bond resolution, up to $10M): approved (roll call: 5–0 yes) - Resolution 25-35 (agreement with Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center): approved (roll call: 5–0 yes) - Resolution 25-36 (HDLA Shelby Lot design services, NTE $24,000): approved (roll call: 5–0 yes) - Resolution 25-37 (support for regional airline recruitment; no dollar commitment): approved (roll call: 5–0 yes) - Resolution 25-38 (sale of small parcel to GW Mullins): approved (roll call: 5–0 yes) - Resolution 25-46 (first amendment to wastewater O&M agreement with Inframark): approved (roll call: 5–0 yes) - Consent items (Res. 25-39 through 25-45): all approved as presented

Why it matters

The sign ordinance consolidates sign rules into a zoning chapter and narrows the city’s regulatory approach to temporary and off-premise signs, bringing Bristol’s code into alignment with legal guidance cited by staff. Allowing automotive repair in selected industrial zones responds to a property owner request and changes permitted uses in the M2 district. The bond authorization begins a multi-step financing conversation for capital projects the city may choose to fund via general-obligation borrowing.

What council said

Planning director Ms. Young said the sign work started in 2020 and that the planning commission and staff conducted public outreach; she described the change as primarily affecting temporary signs and off-premise signage. Director of Utilities Mark Quickel said the sewer-limit update follows periodic engineering reviews and is intended to protect plant operations and compliance.

Next steps

Items passed on first reading will return for later readings or implementation dates specified in the ordinances. The bond resolution establishes the notification step only; if council chooses to proceed, staff said additional briefings and financing details will be presented at a future work session.

Ending

Council placed several items from the consent agenda and contract approvals on the consent calendar and completed a full docket of land-use, utility and procurement votes before adjourning.