The Week in Codes

As a nation with more than 300 million inhabitants, it’s not surprising that sign-code news abounds. And, naturally, such a populous nation comprises an expansive array of opinions, ideologies and agendas. For every local government writes a code that embraces the correlation between vigorous signage and economic growth, another seemingly authors a contravening, restrictive ordinance. Here’s a sampling of a recent mixed bag of news:
• Ed Espana, a small business owner in Santa Clarita, CA, established A-1 Auto Registration, which helps residents with vehicle registration and ownership and out-of-state transfers. He set out an A-frame sign on the premises of the car wash where he opened his office, but was notified that the sign doesn’t comply with city codes, according to signalscv.com. He noted that his sign, placed on private property, was forbidden, although larger real-estate signs and temporary, open-house signs placed on sidewalks are approved.
In response, Jason Crawford, the city’s economic-development manager, said, “The city’s primary focus in on providing a high quality of life, and the community has spoken loudly … that signs and blight issues affect the quality of life in the community. The city takes it very seriously to make sure we don’t get overcome with signs.”
According to Crawford, city officials were attempting to work with the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce to ensure the city’s sign ordinance meets businesses’ needs while preserving community aesthetics.
• Jackson, TN’s City Building and Zoning Dept. is asking Mayor Jerry Gist to remove his campaign sign attached to a downtown building, according to WBBJ-TV’s website. Local codes restrict a sign to covering 25% of a city’s building’s frontage, and the campaign sign encompasses 45%. Gist is engaged in a contentious, five-way race for the mayor’s office, and the vote occurs on May 5. One of his opponents, State Sen. Lowe Finney, said, “If there was another candidate [erecting this sign], they would make us [remove] it quickly.” (Editor’s Note: I predict every effort will be made to take the sign down – during the second week of May.)
• Williston, ND is in the throes of explosive growth brought about through fracking in the region’s Bakken Shale field, and its City Commission is exploring residential-sign code modifications, according to the Williston Herald. Staff planner Rachel Ressler introduced amendments that would expand residential-sign limits for 2 to 4 sq. ft. – measured letter-to-letter, the article states, Also, local homebuilder Rob Gamel of the Pederson Group asked for a provision that would allow signs that identify model homes to measure 8 sq. ft. (Williston is experiencing a home-building boom to accommodate the influx of new residents and workers).
• The Blowing Rock, NC Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance for a proposed sign for the Appalachian Ski Mountain (ASM) winter-sports attraction, according to the High Country Press. Before the vote, citizens spoke in favor of the project, which will include a visitor center. Earlier that day, the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce awarded ASM its Economic Impact Special Recognition Award. The Council voted on Jan. 13 to send the proposal back to the town’s planning board to review the sign to confirm that it’s compliant with traffic-safety considerations for an area that’s likely to undergo significant growth, the article states.