SPRINGDALE -- City Council members could allow businesses located on corner lots at the intersection of major streets to erect an additional sign if a proposed ordinance change is approved.
Alderman Rick Evans proposed the change, which would allow the second sign on corner lots with frontage on arterial, major collector or numbered street highways. The change was discussed in the April 21 council committee meeting and tabled until May 5.
Currently, city ordinance allows only one sign per business.
Evans said he was asked to bring the proposal to council. Evans would not identify who asked him to propose the change.
"This would only affect the main corridors," Evans said. "If you have a sign on one corridor it seems like you should be able to have one on another."
As many as 22 intersections would be affected, according to a map prepared by the planning department.
Some of the streets affected would be any intersection with Don Tyson Parkway, Thompson, 56th and 48th streets, Wagon Wheel, Butterfield Coach, Carley, Old Wire and Old Missouri roads, Sunset, Robinson and Huntsville avenues. Arkansas 112 and 264 would also be included.
The only signs permitted along sections of Don Tyson, Wagon Wheel, Huntsville and Butterfield Coach are monument signs, according to the ordinance.
Businesses wanting a second sign now have to obtain a variance, said Patsy Christie, Planning and Community Development director.
"I would prefer to leave it that way," Christie said. "We would not be able to look at each sign individually if the ordinance is changed."
The proposal needs more study, said Alderman Mike Overton.
"We don't know what we would be opening up for more signs," Overton said.
Each business located in a building at an intersection could be able to put up two signs, Overton said.
"We could have a forest of signs," Overton said.
All the businesses located in one plot of land should have to put their signs on one pylon, Evans said.
"That's a loophole we need to close," Evans said. "We need to require them to put their signs on one pole."
Mayor Doug Sprouse said he is not opposed to changing the ordinance, but care must be taken to not to create more loopholes.
"I think we have to be very careful," Sprouse said.
NW News on 04/29/2014