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Council divided on proposal to create two "commercial tourism" no-sign zones in Glendale
Summary
Staff sought council consensus to designate two commercial tourism zones that would limit political signs under ARS 16-1019; council members were split and did not reach consensus at the workshop.
City staff asked the Glendale City Council on Tuesday to consider creating two municipal "commercial tourism" zones that would restrict political signs in high‑tourism commercial areas during election periods.
Tim Bowling, the city's code official, told the council that Arizona Revised Statute 16-1019 allows municipalities to designate commercial tourism or resort zones where political signs in the public right-of-way may be regulated to preserve scenic appeal for tourists. Bowling said staff worked with economic development to propose two contiguous zones near Arrowhead Mall/Bell Road and the Westgate area, and showed comparative photos of sign-filled corridors on the Glendale side of Bell Road versus the Peoria side.
Bowling and other staff cited examples of other local jurisdictions that have adopted similar districts, including Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Prescott, Scottsdale and Peoria. Staff said the combined area of such zones cannot exceed three square miles and a city may identify up to two such zones.
Council members split sharply in reaction. Council Member Goodman said the measure "looks like government overreach and I will not support that," arguing that high-traffic retail areas are important campaign locations for candidates. Vice Mayor Tomochoff and other council members raised First Amendment concerns and said restricting sign placement specifically during heightened political periods risks uneven treatment of challengers and incumbents; Tomochoff said she was "not feeling warm and fuzzy about this" and worried the rule would disadvantage challengers.
Other council members said the proposal would improve aesthetics in major commercial corridors and align Glendale with neighboring jurisdictions. Mr. Bailey (staff/legal) told the council the authority to create commercial tourism zones is provided by ARS 16-1019 and that jurisdictions have used the statute without successful legal challenge, noting that local zoning authority derives from state law. Bowling said the zones would regulate "time and place" of signs during an election period rather than content, citing the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert when answering free-speech questions.
After extended discussion and multiple speakers on both sides, the council did not reach a workshop consensus to forward the proposed zone designations to the voting meeting; staff said the proposal can be refined and returned. No formal vote occurred at the workshop.
The proposed maps and boundary details remain under staff consideration pending further direction from the council.
