Council members split over proposed temporary‑sign rules; staff to take feedback before Planning Commission

City planning staff presented a revised draft to regulate temporary signage and sandwich‑board signs; councilmembers made extensive comments and asked staff to gather more feedback before sending the draft to Planning Commission.

What staff proposed: Courtney (planning staff) summarized eight main changes in the draft. Among them, the proposal would:

- Allow each business up to four temporary sign periods per year for a combined total of up to 56 days; Courtney said this could be taken as any combination across the year. She described the rule as "each business is eligible for up to 4 temporary signs per year for a total amount of up to 14 days, so 56 days a year."

- Reintroduce placards for temporary sign permits so enforcement staff can quickly verify authorized displays during drive‑by inspections.

- Keep a 3‑foot height cap for temporary signs in C3 and C4 commercial districts and require right‑of‑way permits and a hold‑harmless indemnification for certain frame signs placed in the right of way.

- Limit temporary signs in strip‑mall settings to one sign per 100 linear feet of frontage or up to four temporary signs, whichever is less, to reduce visual clutter.

Council discussion and concerns

Councilmembers and staff debated enforcement logistics, business impacts and exemptions. Key points included:

- Roger Sandow and other councilmembers warned the proposed limits could hinder businesses that use frequent banners and temporary signage to promote sales and services; several members said many businesses “leave signs up” and asked whether the city should allow more flexibility for businesses that operate daily.

- Staff said that, under the current code, many temporary signs in rights‑of‑way are already illegal but are frequently in place; the draft would create a limited, permit‑based way to legitimize some sandwich boards and small A‑frame signs but would require staff time for education and enforcement.

- Council members raised specific operational questions about: (a) whether signs smaller than 3 feet would still count toward temporary sign limits; (b) how the city would handle trailer‑mounted advertising or large feather flags; and (c) whether making small A‑frame signs legal would create administrative burden.

Next steps

Staff asked council members to submit comments within two weeks and said the item would be pulled from the immediate Planning Commission agenda to allow revision. Several councilmembers asked staff for a ride‑along to observe current enforcement practices and to help the council shape a narrower set of changes rather than an overhaul.

Ending

Courtney asked for written comments in two weeks so staff could revise the draft; councilmembers agreed to follow up. The item will return to staff and the council before being scheduled for Planning Commission.