Thursday, March 25, 2010
Council Tables Sign Ordinance Vote
Proposed changes to the City of Lawrenceburg sign ordinance were tabled Thursday, pending further study.
Lawrenceburg Mayor Keith Durham had proposed changes to the city’s current sign ordinance in the hopes of allowing area businesses and residents more flexibility in such instances as showing support for local sports teams, and the likes.
Lawrenceburg Codes Department Director Ken Nelson explained that the changes proposed, “Kind of loosens up our sign ordinance a little bit.”
While the current ordinance prohibits the placement of any type of signage in right-of-way areas, changes had been proposed that would allow for the placement of political and portable signs in these locations. Politicians would be required to remove all signage within seven days of the end of his/her respective campaign.
Nelson explained that the proposed ordinance changes would eliminate the current wording that requires that those selling seasonal merchandise near roadways provide sanitary facilities for patrons.
These individuals would still be required, however, to obtain a permit to sell such products as well as provide ample parking for customers and situate merchandise an ample distance away from the road.
The proposed ordinance change would add language sanctioning exemptions to allow religious signs (such as directions to churches) to be placed along roadways.
Those erecting such signs, however, would be required to ensure that the placement of signs at any intersection did not impede the vision of motorists.
Also added would be a section allowing the temporary erection of signs advertising civic, social, sporting, or charitable events.
The proposed ordinance changes were first presented for consideration by the city’s Planning Commission.
That board, however, failed to give their recommendation for passage. Members of that commission reportedly felt that the current ordinance provided more satisfactory guidelines.
With that in mind, council members opted Thursday to table the ordinance. They indicated they would further study the matter and discuss it during an upcoming work session before taking any action.
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