Atoka moves to change commercial sign rules; ordinance passes first reading

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Atoka advanced an amendment to the town zoning code on first reading that changes how wall signs are measured in commercial zoning districts, omitting the current 10%-of-wall-area rule (with an 80-square-foot cap) in favor of a linear-foot-based formula.

Planning staff said the change is intended to produce signs that look proportionate on large buildings and to simplify administration. “So say you have a Kroger with 300 feet of linear frontage, they'd be permitted to have 300 square feet of signage,” planning staff member Jim said, describing the 1-to-1 linear-foot-to-square-foot approach. Jim said the measure applies separately to each wall face so a multi-faced building would have a separate allotment per wall.

The change applies to three zoning districts (neighborhood center, highway corridor and industrial) with identical language in each section. Jim said staff reviewed existing signs and did not expect widespread nonconformities under the new formula and that existing grandfathering provisions in the zoning code would address legacy signs.

Alderman Harbor, who serves as the board's representative to the Planning Commission, and other board members said the Planning Commission recommended the amendment. The ordinance passed on its first reading by roll call; all members present voted yes.

The board discussed potential alternatives — for example, allowing larger ratios for buildings set back farther from the roadway — but did not include such changes in the current draft. Jim said the town could consider a different ratio or a variance process in the future if needed.

As a first-reading ordinance, the measure will return for a second reading and final consideration at a future meeting.

Provenance: Planning staff introduced the zoning amendment and discussion began at the planning item; the board took a roll-call vote to pass the ordinance on first reading.