Downtown business urges council to loosen sign-area rules; council approves MX1 amendment to allow larger frontage signs

A downtown property owner identified in the meeting as Mr. Jes told the council the town's 2025 sign ordinance, which measures sign area as the smallest rectangle surrounding channel lettering, would reduce his proposed storefront signage substantially and harm storefront visibility.

"Under the current code the rectangle calculation cuts our sign down to under the size we wanted," Mr. Jes said, showing mockups and estimating the earlier standard allowed about 38 square feet while the new definition would limit many storefronts to 24 square feet or less. He asked the council to change the MX1 zone allowance from one square foot per linear foot of frontage to two square feet per linear foot so channel letters and multi-line business names would fit appropriately.

Council members discussed the proposed change, noting the intent of the per-linear-foot rule was to allow wider buildings to use more sign area while keeping narrow storefronts proportional. Several members supported the MX1-specific change and an additional tweak to let corner buildings place signage on two facades where appropriate.

The council moved, seconded and voted to amend the zoning update to allow two square feet per linear foot in the MX1 zone and to permit corner buildings to use signage on two sides. Staff said the modification is intended to better fit downtown storefront typologies and improve signage visibility.

Actions: Council approved an amendment to the proposed zoning/sign ordinance to change MX1 signage from 1 sq ft per linear foot to 2 sq ft per linear foot and to allow signage on two sides of corner buildings; the amendment was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote.