Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council splits on sign variance for large industrial building, urges a rewrite of sign code
Summary
After a split 3–2 vote, council approved a variance allowing two ~400‑sq‑ft wall signs on a large industrial building while several council members said the city needs a rewritten sign ordinance to treat industrial corridors and downtown differently.
The City Council narrowly approved a variance April 13 that allows an applicant to place two wall signs of approximately 400 square feet each on a large building, exceeding the standard maximums in the existing sign code.
Building official Calvin Spicer explained that the current code caps wall signage at 150 square feet (or 300 square feet under certain circumstances); staff recommended approval for this larger industrial user because the building’s scale makes the standard limits impractical. Several council members nonetheless said the underlying code is inconsistent across corridors and has produced ad‑hoc variance requests.
Councilman Lance Smith voiced support for a pragmatic approach, noting that large buildings along higher‑speed roads need proportionally larger signage for visibility. Other members argued the city should not ‘cherry‑pick’ and should instead adopt distinct rules for industrial corridors versus the downtown CRA and major corridors. Council discussion referenced prior enforcement actions where painted signage or temporary flutter signs created enforcement headaches.
Councilman Smith moved to approve the variance and the motion passed 3‑2. Multiple councilmembers asked staff to return quickly with a comprehensive sign ordinance update that differentiates industrial, highway and downtown contexts, clarifies temporary‑sign rules and addresses temporary flag/feather signs popular with small businesses and developers.
