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Planning Commission sets Feb. 12 public hearing for sign ordinance revisions to ensure content neutrality
Summary
The commission set a public hearing for Feb. 12, 2026, on text amendments to Article 17 of the zoning ordinance to make sign rules content neutral (to comply with Reed v. Town of Gilbert) and to clarify temporary sign categories and enforcement; commissioners also discussed future consideration of pole and wall sign standards.
The Lapeer City Planning Commission voted Jan. 8 to set a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2026, to consider proposed text amendments to Article 17 (the city sign ordinance) that staff said will bring the rules into compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court's Reed v. Town of Gilbert decision and clarify temporary sign provisions.
Planner Mr. Keller told commissioners the draft removes content-specific language (for example, prohibitions that target advertising or employment messages) and replaces it with content-neutral criteria that regulate physical characteristics such as size, height, location, illumination and duration. Keller said the amendments will also split temporary freestanding signs into 'small' and 'large' categories to better address political and short-term signage and make the rules clearer for both the public and staff.
Keller cited several ordinance sections during his presentation, including a proposed update to the sign regulations table (7-17-05) and references to curb-cut and setback standards. He said staff had shared drafts with the Chamber of Commerce and the DDA and received minor clarifying feedback.
Commissioners unanimously approved setting the public hearing. During discussion, commissioners asked staff to research several related policy options that were not included in the current text amendments: whether to reintroduce pole signs (often called 'pole' or 'pylon' signs) in limited districts with size and design limits (examples discussed included a 15-foot height cap and 50–100 square-foot area limits), and whether to change the wall-sign formula from '10% of front-facing wall area applied to all walls' to a per-wall 10% standard with an overall cap to prevent oversized signage on large facades. Keller said such policy choices will require additional research and could be handled separately from the Reed-compliance amendments.
Staff also noted temporary feather/flag signs are currently allowed as temporary signs for 30 days twice per year and must be maintained and placed outside the right of way; enforcement typically proceeds on complaint.
The Planning Commission's Feb. 12 public hearing will provide an opportunity for public comment on the proposed changes and any additional revisions staff brings forward before the City Commission considers ordinance amendments.
