Sign ordinance set for first reading
By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter
Holmes Beach city commissioners hope to hold a first reading on a revised
sign ordinance on Sept. 18.
The commission dedicated
time at work sessions throughout the summer to drafting
the proposed ordinance, which drew far less public comment than city
officials anticipated.
The proposed measure spells out
the size, number and location of signs allowed in commercial
and residential areas.
“It
is the purpose and intent of this article to create a comprehensive and balanced
system of sign control that accommodates both the need for a well-maintained,
safe and attractive community, and the need for effective business identification,
advertising and communication,” the
measure states.
City planning consultant Bill Brisson said
he strived to comply with commissioners’ push to reduce the proliferation
of signs in the city and to keep the ordinance as “content neutral” as
possible.
The ordinance would amend the city’s
land-development code. Key revisions include a new definition of a flag, regulations
for advertising in murals and changes in real estate signage.
A flag, in the proposed
ordinance, is a “sign
made of a piece of cloth or material” that is secured on one side, usually
on a flag pole, and at two points, leaving the “remainder of the cloth
or material hanging limply or drooping.” A flag that is larger than 15
square feet or does not droop will be considered a banner.
Brisson said the definition
is needed so people do not begin using flags to get
around the regulations.
The measure allows
for three garage or yard sale signs - two off the site
on private property and one at the site. The same rule applies to “open
house” signs,
which can be put up one hour before the open house
and must be removed within an hour of the end of the event.
Political signs cannot be placed more than
45 days before an election and must be removed within
48 hours after the election.
The
measure allows for one real estate sign advertising
the sale, rent or lease of a property unless the property is a corner
or waterfront lot, where an additional sign would be allowed.
“No real
estate sign shall exceed 6 square feet in overall area including all pendants,
tubes or boxes,” the
measure reads.
In murals, logos, text or other symbols
related to a business shall be calculated toward the
maximum signage allowed on the property.
The measure prohibits animated or moving
signs, banners except for permitted temporary banners
for events, electrical or illuminated signs in residential districts,
signs advertising rates for motels or apartments, signs with exposed
neon tubing and signs on mailboxes. |
