SPRINGDALE -- Some city officials want to see more rules and regulations for signs to help improve aesthetics in the city.
Mike Overton, alderman, led a discussion about Springdale's sign ordinance and possible changes at Monday's City Council Committee meeting. He said Thompson Street, Sunset Avenue and Robinson Avenue are "a mess" concerning signs.
Other business
• Aldermen forwarded to the City Council an ordinance designating the Springdale District Court clerk as the officials responsible for collecting fines assessed in the District Court for Springdale.
• Aldermen advanced an ordinance amending the city’s code of ordinances to allow owners of multiple residential units with six units or less to contract with a private collector for service and individual trash receptacles. The city would have a form for those interested in this option to complete.
• Aldermen forwarded to the council a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to enter into a contract for consultant services with H3 Studio for the expanded Downtown Economic/Revitalization Master Plan.
• Aldermen forwarded to the council a resolution authorizing a contract for emergency medical services billing and amending the 2015 budget.
• Aldermen advanced a resolution amending the 2015 budget of the Springdale Police Department for the purchase of a police dog and related equipment.
Source: Staff Report
Overton said he likes the sign guidelines in the recently approved Ballpark/Southwest Springdale Overlay District. Guidelines for the rest of the city, like within the overlay district, could include colors, sizes and locations.
Overton also suggested a timeline, like one year or 1 1/2 years for property owners to bring their signs into compliance. He said they could also come into compliance through a change in use or ownership.
Mayor Doug Sprouse said he thinks it's a great idea. He also said, however, that aldermen need to consider that sign locations will affect existing businesses differently than incoming businesses. The overlay doesn't allow variances on signs, but that might be needed for the rest of the city for location requirements.
The city's code of ordinances now includes sections about general requirements for all signs, abandoned and unsafe signs and requirements for specific sign types. Each section has a list of regulations.
People have discussed signs and related rules in Springdale for years, said Kathy Jaycox, alderwoman. She said she wanted to entertain the idea of changes to the ordinance.
Patsy Christie, director of planning and community development, said she can supply a comparison between sign requirements city-wide and within the overlay district.
Sprouse and Eric Ford, alderman, said officials would need work sessions to discuss possible changes and rules. Overton also said they will have to have some discussions on the topic.
"We'll see if we can look at it further down the road," Overton said.
Aldermen also discussed a possible change to an ordinance that requires commercial properties that produce less than 2 cubic yards of garbage a week to contract with the same company the city contracts with for residential garbage services. People from Peaceful Valley Bible Church attended the meeting and had an issue with the rule.
Jim Reed, alderman said the ordinance doesn't require the company providing the service, Waste Management in this case, to offer the same rates the city gets for residential properties. He suggested doing away with the ordinance entirely.
Ford said he also wanted to eliminate the ordinance.
"I want to give them freedom to do whatever they want," he said.
Officials also discussed the possibility of amending the city's contract with Waste Management so those commercial properties being discussed would get the same rates as other residential properties in the city. Sprouse said Wyman Morgan, city director of finances and administration, could contact Waste Management to speak with them about the option.
NW News on 03/17/2015