Council approves change to downtown projecting-sign rules, citing business flexibility and spacing concerns

The Brookings City Council approved an amendment to downtown's sign code that changes how projecting signs are permitted in the B-1 Central District.

Community Development Director Mike Strzok told the council the amendment would allow one projecting sign per 25 feet of street frontage, which would enable additional projecting signs where buildings were combined into larger storefronts. Strzok said the change responds to requests from downtown business and building owners and a local sign manufacturer; the planning commission recommended approval 9-0.

Strzok outlined standards including a 48-square-foot maximum for projecting signs, a required clearance of 10 feet above the sidewalk and a minimum setback of 2 feet from the back of curb. He also said the State Historic Preservation Office does not review projecting signs because they are not considered permanent structures.

Council members asked about spacing. Strzok said staff considered numeric spacing rules but found inconsistent existing sign patterns downtown and that adopting a strict distance requirement would make many existing signs nonconforming. "The downtown businesses have done a really good job of self-policing themselves," he said, noting staff wanted to avoid creating a restriction that would require many signs to be moved when repaired.

The council approved the ordinance by roll call; recorded votes in the transcript were "Aye" from Avery, Doran, Hager, Niemeyer and Specker.

What happens next: The amended code will allow additional projecting signs in multi-tenant storefronts under the new frontage-based standard; staff will oversee permitting, and nonconforming signs will be addressed when signs are repaired or replaced.