SPRINGDALE -- New signs in the city now have more restrictive size requirements.
Aldermen approved an amendment to city code at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The changes reduce new signs' maximum height from 60 feet to 30 feet and maximum face size from 400 square feet to 150 square feet, according to documents
Council Action
Springdale’s City Council met Tuesday and approved:
• Re-appointing Al Hanby to the Springdale Housing Authority’s board.
• Amending city code to allow fireworks at Bikes Blues & BBQ in the city.
• A $78,856 contract with Necessary Construction for work on the storm drain under Wilkinson Lane.
• Using $164,968 for an upgrade to the Police Department’s and Fire Department’s communication equipment.
• Paying Milestone Construction Company $1,126,003 for construction work on C.L. ” Charlie ” and Willie George Park.
Source: Staff Report
The old maximums were greater than those allowed in Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville, according to a document from a City Council committee meeting.
The maximum sign height and face requirements apply to signs in downtown, planned commercial, general commercial, thoroughfare commercial, large product retail sales district, warehouse, light industrial, heavy industrial and planned industrial zones in the city, according to documents.
The reason for the proposal to reduce the sizes is mostly aesthetics, Mike Chamlee, chief buildings official with the city's Building Department, said in August. A lot of signs can clutter a landscape. Lower signs also aren't as intrusive to motorists, he said.
Alderman Eric Ford said Tuesday he doesn't think the changes will affect the ability to find businesses. He also said he thinks it will make the city look better.
A business would have to bring its sign into compliance if the location went without a business license for six months or longer, Chamlee said Tuesday. A business can also apply for a variance.
Clinton Bennett spoke during the meeting. He's a representative for 48th & Elm Springs LLC, which owns a lot near the Walmart Supercenter at 4870 Elm Springs Road.
Bennett said the owner would like to have a tenant on the property and it would be easier to get a business if they could get a larger sign. A taller sign would create visibility from Interstate 49.
However, Bennett also said it's comforting the owner can get a variance for a sign if needed.
Alderman Mike Lawson said he thinks the city is still business friendly. He also said he thinks the changes will make signs more appealing.
"I think it's a great move," he said.
There are some areas in the city the changes will not affect, Chamlee said. Those areas are all of Don Tyson Parkway, Huntsville Avenue east of Thompson Street, Butterfield Coach Road from Huntsville Avenue to Don Tyson Parkway and Wagon Wheel Road from 40th Street to Robins Road. The only freestanding signs allowed in those areas are monument signs.
The changes also won't apply to the Ballpark Area/Southwest Springdale District Overlay area or the "special visibility district" on Sunset Avenue around Interstate 49, Chamlee said. Signs in the latter area can be a maximum of 100 feet.
NW News on 09/09/2015