Huron council asks staff to draft ordinance on business signs in public rights of way

Huron City Council members on Tuesday, Jan. 14, agreed to ask city staff and the law department to draft an ordinance to address business signage located in public rights of way, after staff said the city’s existing code generally prohibits such signs but does not specify how to handle signs already in place.

City staff told the council the measure would aim to balance safety and maintenance needs with the reality that some signs have existed for decades. The proposed approach discussed at the work session would treat qualifying existing signs as nonconforming uses — allowed to remain while the use continues unless there is a zoning or building violation, a public-safety problem, or an extended lapse in use — and would give the city clear authority to require removal when necessary.

Staff member Mr. Schroeder opened the discussion with an overview of right-of-way principles and the legal background…