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Smithville aldermen review proposed updates to city sign ordinance
Summary
At a work session Oct. 21, Development Director Jack Hendrix outlined proposed updates to Smithville's sign ordinance, highlighting rules for temporary and advertising signs; Alderman Kelly Kobylski argued businesses should not be forced to remove permitted temporary signs to accommodate short-term event signage.
Development Director Jack Hendrix outlined proposed updates to Smithville's sign ordinance at the Board of Aldermen work session on Oct. 21, tracing the code back to its initial adoption in 1968 and noting major revisions in 2008 and 2011.
Hendrix described how the ordinance categorizes signs — permanent, ground (monument), pole, wall, projecting and roof signs — and said temporary signs (made of vinyl, cardboard or corrugated plastic) are the most controversial element under review.
“A temporary sign is not meant to last forever,” Hendrix said as he explained staff recommendations to clarify definitions and permitting requirements. Under current rules, staff noted, each business or lot is allowed one temporary sign; that means a strip mall with four businesses on one lot could have one temporary sign per tenant.
Alderman Kelly Kobylski said the board should avoid forcing businesses to remove paid, permitted temporary signs to make room for nonprofit or event signage. “She felt it was unfair to require a business to take down its sign—especially when it has paid for a permit—just to accommodate another short-term event sign for a week or two,” the record shows.
Hendrix also described common temporary types the board is reviewing, including small metal-framed “snipe” signs (typically about 18 by 24 inches) and feather or fin flags, and reviewed categories that are exempt from permitting such as subdivision, real estate and directional signs.
Mayor Boley raised a local example at the intersection of Highway 169 and Second Creek Road, where overlapping event and business signage has created conflicts during Farmers and Makers Market and Lakefest.
No formal vote was taken. Hendrix said staff will work with city legal counsel to draft ordinance language that responds to the board's concerns and will return the item for further consideration at a future meeting.
