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Horace planners outline broad rewrite of city sign rules, commission agrees to hear public comment
Summary
Planning staff presented a package of amendments to Horace's sign regulations—covering permit timing, temporary signs, wall-sign area limits and prohibitions on off-premise signs—and the commission consented to notice a public hearing on the draft.
Planning staff presented a proposed rewrite of Horace’s sign regulations that would tighten permit rules, clarify temporary-sign time limits and set a percentage cap on wall signs in commercial districts.
Staff member (speaker 7) said the changes are intended to reduce ad hoc variance requests and add clarity to the rules adopted with the land use ordinance in 2024. "The 1st 1 we added was permitting, the signs as accessory permits only," the staff member said, describing a rule that would generally allow a sign permit only when tied to a primary use (exceptions for land-for-sale and development signs were proposed). The staff presentation also proposed a 12-month expiration for sign permits so that signs are not erected years before construction begins.
Commissioners asked for clarification on enforcement, measurement and how the changes would affect examples such as Circle K and Dairy Queen; Commissioner (speaker 6) warned regularly granting variances could create legal risk. Staff (speaker 2) asked the commission for direction to notice the draft for a public hearing and commissioners consented to publish notice; staff said they expect to bring the item back for public hearing on August 25.
This article is based on the commission’s discussion and staff presentation; no ordinance was adopted tonight. The commission agreed to publish notice for a hearing so members of the public can comment at a future meeting.
