Collegedale staff proposed several targeted changes to the city’s sign ordinance intended to reduce burdens on small businesses while improving overall aesthetics.

Planning staff said an ongoing complaint is that new tenants in an older strip center must remove existing cabinet signs (an aluminum backlit box) and replace them with higher‑cost channel‑letter or monument signage. Staff proposed allowing cabinet signs to remain for existing centers while requiring higher‑quality signs for new construction. Commissioners generally supported grandfathering existing cabinets for buildings, not individual tenants, and discussed thresholds (for example, remodeling triggers) that would remove grandfathering.

Commissioners also discussed monument signs, noting current material requirements (stone facades) and size limits that can make monuments expensive for developers. Staff proposed increasing size allowances for larger centers and relaxing required stone facades to reduce cost. Several commissioners said the ordinance should be a standalone document rather than embedded in the zoning code to make updates easier.

On temporary signage, staff reported updates that now permit banners and sandwich boards under defined conditions. Commissioners asked staff to draft clear “grand opening” temporary signage language (for example, limited duration and examples) so new businesses can advertise without inadvertently violating the code. Commissioners asked staff to prepare draft language for review and to create an informational flyer for business owners outlining permitted temporary signage options.