Thursday, Jul. 08, 2010
Council passes new signage ordinances
Emily Jarrett, Journal Staff
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Businesses in Blue Springs wanting to advertise on signage will have it a lot easier in the coming months. At Wednesday’s city council meeting, the council voted to enact various new signage ordinances that include less restriction on sizes and types of signs allowed by city code.
“This was not an attempt to completely revise the code, but to look at all the situations that most frequently come up,” said councilmember Jeanie Lauer, who was on the task force. “We reviewed the current ordinance and found certain areas for slight revisions to make it easier for business owners in the community.”
Among the revisions is the removal of the provision that stated signs could only be up to 200 square feet. “We found that footage was too restrictive,” Lauer said. “Now, the total area will be based on the building the sign is on. It can be up to 10 percent of the wall area.”
Also restricted was the use of electronic reader board signs. Currently, city code forbids the use of those types of signs.
“With this ordinance, businesses may use ERB signs, but there are provisions,” Lauer said. “They can only be used in community districts as part of a monument. There are restrictions on brightness and they can only be two colors. Also, they cannot have scrolling words or animation.”
Councilmember Dale Carter asked the council if the sign on M-7 is an ERB.
“So the electronic reader boards aren’t OK for businesses but OK for city use?” he asked rhetorically. Changeable copy signs will also be allowed by the code, depending on the size of the building and number of parking spaces.
“Much of what the task force discussed was to make the code easier to understand and streamlined,” said Jim Holley, assistant director in the planning division. “This new code will also allow some sign requests to be handled by city staff, rather than the old process where many owners had to make their case before the council.”
Not all the councilmembers approved of the new signage codes however.
“I think maybe we’re moving in the wrong direction,” said Ron Fowler. “I don’t want Blue Springs to be like a Las Vegas or a Branson, with signs everywhere.”
Fowler then cited news articles about sign ordinances in other cities that have angered residents with the amount and type of signage.
“These codes are still restrictive. In those cities, they went from restrictive to wide open,” Lauer countered. “We’re not going to turn into Branson.”
“We’re trying to make this easier for current business owners and people who are thinking about opening a new business in Blue Springs,” said councilmember Kent Edmondson.
The council made a roll call vote with Fowler the only member voting no.
The council also heard a presentation on the guiding principals of Blue Springs.
“This guiding principals idea came from a retreat,” Lauer said. “We wanted a list of elements we could use to promote the Blue Springs area.”
The principals are divided into four parts – family oriented, livability, quality and innovation.
“We sent surveys to the city council and staff to get input on these ideas,” Lauer said. “For example, we asked, ‘what does a family oriented city mean to you?’”
Each principal has numerous examples and subcategories, describing what the city strives for.
“Under the principal family oriented, we have support a quality educational system, desire a safe environment characterized by a low crime rate and quick police and fire response, support activities for all ages that enhance the quality of life for Blue Springs residents and support the Parks and Recreation amenities,” Lauer explained.
Lauer said the next step is proposing a resolution to adopt the guiding principals and using them as a tool to promote what Blue Springs can offer potential citizens.
“This isn’t about Blue Springs settling for being Blue Springs,” Lauer said. “This is about being the best Blue Springs we can be.”
To reach Journal reporter Emily Jarrett, call 816-282-7018 or e-mail ejarrett@bluespringsjournal.com.
