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Council narrows portable-sign rules (feather flags/A‑frames): 10‑foot spacing, 7‑foot curb setback, limits near intersections
Summary
After extensive public comment from local merchants, the council approved introduction of a zoning amendment creating a new portable‑sign category (feather flags, A‑frames) with standards including a 10‑foot minimum spacing between signs, a 7‑foot setback from the curb, a 10‑foot maximum height and business‑hours display limits.
The City Council on Tuesday agreed to new rules for portable signs — the category that includes feather flags and movable A‑frame signs — after lengthy public comment from local businesses and several council amendments to staff’s recommended standards.
Deputy City Manager Waters and planning staff proposed creating a new “portable sign” definition distinct from temporary signage and laying out display and material rules: a maximum height of 10 feet, maximum display area roughly 16 square feet per sign, a requirement that signs be weather‑resistant and professionally maintained, and a rule that portable signs must be removed from the public-right‑of‑way and must not obstruct sidewalks or sight lines. Staff proposed that portable signs be allowed in non‑residential zones (not in the downtown MXD zone for feather flags) and displayed only during business hours (including 30 minutes before opening and 30 minutes after close).
Local auto dealers and other business owners said feather flags are an important and cost‑effective tool to attract customers. Steve Olivera and George (Shogon Auto) told council their businesses rely on flags and urged a practical rule set. “If you remove the 100‑foot restriction and allow them 7 feet back from the curb, we can live with that,” one business owner said during public comment; others asked the council to avoid a one‑size‑fits‑all limitation that would effectively ban flags on many parcels.
Council members debated multiple technical details and ultimately asked staff to make several changes to the draft: reduce the required distance between portable signs to 10 feet (staff had proposed 20), remove the blanket 100‑foot exclusion measured from permanent freestanding signs, and clarify that portable signs must not be placed where they block intersection sight triangles (the council retained the intersection sight‑triangle protection but agreed the driveway‑approach rule would accommodate a 7‑foot curb setback). The council left in a prohibition on portable feather flags in the downtown MXD zone, consistent with prior direction for that overlay.
Council moved to introduce and waive the first reading of the revised zoning text amendment with the council’s amendments. (Clerk roll call shows the motion carried by a slim majority.) Staff said the ordinance will return for a second reading and final adoption; staff will also publish clear placement diagrams and an implementation guide for businesses and code enforcement.
Ending: The council’s amendments reflect business concerns over narrow commercial frontages while protecting pedestrian paths, curb clearance and intersection sight lines. Staff will prepare final ordinance language and outreach materials before the second reading.
