Planning Commission backs code changes to allow low-profile signs in historic overlay, moves recommendations to council

The Morgan City Planning Commission voted unanimously April 15, 2025 to forward recommended amendments to the historic commercial overlay sign rules and to the city’s sign code to the City Council for final approval.

Jake (planning staff) summarized the two related items at the start of a joint public-hearing segment: amendments to the historic overlay zone to permit “low profile” signs (the code’s term for monument signs) with design limitations, and changes to chapter 10.32 of the sign regulations to accommodate off-premise low-profile signs under controlled conditions. The public hearing drew no public comment, and the commission approved a positive recommendation to the council for both items.

What the changes would do - Allow low-profile (monument) signs in the historic commercial overlay district if they meet design standards and sit on a minimum 18-inch base surfaced in brick, stone or an approved historic material to match the district’s architecture. Jake said the intent is to “use brick or stone or whatever materials exist” to tie signs to the historic character. - Move approval authority for signs in the historic overlay from the planning commission to city planning staff (staff review), while retaining the ability to involve engineering or public-works input when appropriate. - Clarify prohibited sign types in the historic overlay: pole-mounted signs, animated/digital signs and other signs that would overpower or obscure historic architecture; flashing window signs are explicitly called out as not allowed. - Change separation and off-premise rules in the sign code: the minimum separation between detached low-profile signs would be 75 feet (reduced from 150 feet in certain commercial contexts), and the code would allow off-premise low-profile signs only if: (a) they are adjacent to the property they advertise, (b) they are within 250 feet of the advertised property, (c) the property owner records a temporary, revocable sign easement in the county courthouse and retains the right to remove the sign later, and (d) only one low-profile sign is permitted per property (multiple parties may be displayed on a single sign).

Legal and administrative context Gary (staff/legal counsel) and Jake explained the temporary, revocable-easement mechanism as a way to prevent permanently encumbering a developing property. As Gary described in the work session, permanent billboard easements can run with the land indefinitely and create conflicts as property redevelops; the temporary, revocable easement is intended to give the landowner the ability to remove the sign if the property later develops.

Commission action and public input - The commission opened a combined public hearing for the two sign items; staff reported no public commenters online or in person. Commissioners debated a few clarifying points before voting — for example, whether a small, non-flashing “open” sign in a window would run afoul of the flashing-sign prohibition. Commissioners agreed that the code’s explicit “not permitted” language should be clear; one commissioner suggested adding “not permitted” after language referring to “inappropriate” sign types to remove ambiguity. - On a motion to recommend the historic-overlay amendment to City Council, the commission voted unanimously in favor. The commission then voted unanimously to forward the proposed changes to chapter 10.32 of the sign regulations (low-profile sign language and off-premise rules) to the City Council for final action.

What this means locally If the City Council adopts the recommendations, property owners in Morgan’s historic commercial overlay could use architecturally compatible low-profile signs reviewed by city staff rather than the full commission. The temporary/revocable easement approach for off-premise signs is intended to permit adjacent promotional signs while preserving property owners’ future development rights.