More Work Coming On Rogers Sign Ordinance
Last updated Tuesday, August 19, 2008 9:17 PM CDT in News
By John Henley Jr.
The Morning News
ROGERS - Sign companies have problems with a proposed sign ordinance.
The Rogers Planning Commission discussed the proposal at a public hearing Tuesday.
There now is no comprehensive sign ordinance in Rogers. There are sign restrictions relating to each zone in the city's zoning ordinance.
Representatives from three sign companies spoke, and all requested the proposed ordinance be sent back to committee for further consideration and revision. At the end of the hearing, commissioners sent the proposal to the Commission's Subcommittee on Signs for further study and revision.
During the hearing, Mike Perrah of Best Banner and Signs raised concern about the height restriction on signs.
Height is to be measured from the ground where the sign is erected, according to the proposed ordinance.
However, Perrah argued that sign height should be measured from the roadway surface because some properties lay so far below the roadway, the sign may be built to its maximum height and extend only a few feet above the roadway.
The Commission's Board of Adjustments addresses such circumstances or hardship through the granting of variances, said Ron Shelby, the chairman of the commission.
Brett Ralston owns Americar at 2518 S. Eighth St. Ralston recently was granted a variance for a freestanding sign because of such an issue.
Light-emitting diode signs inspired an earful from all who came to the microphone to address the proposed ordinance.
The sign industry is moving toward flashing and moving message signs, Perrah said, adding he was working with half a dozen businesses in Rogers on installing signs of that type.
"Where do we draw the line as a city?" Shelby asked.
Commissioner Jim White and others said the commission's concern regarding flashing and moving text signs was safety.
"Are these signs going to distract drivers?" White asked.
The proposed ordinance prohibits signs that fluctuate in light intensity or use motion-picture projection for advertising.
There are examples of both types of signs in use on highways as traffic alerts, severe weather alerts and to display Amber alerts, said C.C. Foy of Advanced Sign Co.
"If the federal government thought they were a traffic hazard, they would have come up with something different," Foy said.
Jim Tidwell of Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising asked the commission to consider allowing LED signs in certain areas of the cities.
The subcommittee will meet at 4 p.m. Sept. 10 to discuss the proposed ordinance.
At A Glance
Rogers Planning Commission
Commissioners, at their meeting Tuesday, approved:
• A request by Glen Kelley to add beauty or barber shop as a conditional use to the schedule of uses in a residential-single family zone.
• A large-scale development plan for Little Sunshine's Playhouse on the south side of West Pleasant Grove Road, adjacent to Legacy Estates. The property is in a residential office zone.
• A rezone request by Rick Peterson for 1108 W. New Hope Road from neighborhood-residential to a residential office zone.
Commissioners delayed action on:
• A request by Smith Two-Way Communication for a conditional-use permit to construct a 195-foot cellular tower at 4400 Rainbow Road. The property is in an agricultural zone.
Source: Staff Report
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