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Middleville planners discuss reclassifying feather flags as temporary signs
Summary
Commissioners discussed reclassifying commercially styled feather flags from a prohibited sign to a regulated temporary sign, proposing a no‑fee permit system (four permits per year, up to 30 days) and asking staff to draft zoning text amendments for council review.
A planning commission member asked the commission to re-evaluate the village’s sign ordinance prohibition on feather flags and similar temporary banners, and commissioners directed staff to draft text amendment language for council consideration.
The chair opened the discussion noting, “the current sign ordinance as it reads, the temporary signs and flags, those feather flags are not allowed, period.” Staff and commissioners discussed reclassifying those flags as temporary signs subject to record‑keeping via a no‑fee permit (four permits per year, not to exceed 30 days each) so the village can track use without imposing a fee.
Why it matters: commissioners said selective enforcement and exemptions (such as government-owned flags) have created inconsistent application of the code. Reclassifying certain temporary display flags would allow the village to set defined start/end dates and limit displays at sensitive locations, while preserving enforcement options.
Staff noted enforcement capacity is a concern: if a no‑fee permit system is adopted, staff (code enforcement or administration) would be responsible for verifying compliance and sending notifications when displays exceed permitted time frames. One commissioner raised concerns about staff workload and long-standing trailers or displays in front yards that have been in place for months.
Next steps: commissioners agreed the first step would be asking the council to consider reclassifying these devices from “prohibited” to a temporary‑sign category and asked staff to prepare language for a zoning text amendment. That amendment would be reviewed by the ordinance committee and then by council.
