First reading of sign ordinance approved

     The first reading to amend the City of Monticello's Code of Ordinances pertaining to sign regulations was approved during the March 20 council meeting.

   Main Street Monticello Director Brian Wolken brought the idea to the council during the previous meeting. The addition to the sign ordinance was met with favor from the council.

   As Wolken relayed during the last council meeting, many downtown business owners have asked about wanting to see more of a variety of signs on the buildings. To dive deeper into the topic, Wolken, Chamber Director Bobby Krum, and City Administrator Russ Farnum put a small committee together of business owners and sign companies to offer input and suggestions.

   Under the amendment, temporary sidewalk signs would be permitted, as would projecting (blade) signs, wall signs, and awnings/canopies. All of this would specifically apply to the Main Street district.

   Also, the current city sign ordinance only allows for one wall sign per business, unless it's located on a corner lot.

   "This restriction doesn't allow flexibility for multiple (building) tenants or businesses in a "block" downtown, which may be located on a corner," Farnum noted in his notes to the council.

   Other changes would address the size of the sign as it relates to the scale of the building and restrictions on illumination.

   Krum, with the chamber, also sent a letter to the council to express his support for the sign ordinance amendment.

   "Signs have a significant impact on the appearance and character of our city," Krum wrote. "A well-designed and thoughtfully placed sign can add to the aesthetic appeal of a business or neighborhood…" Krum also noted that the amendment would provide "increased safety" to reduce distractions as people drive down First Street/Highway 38.

   And it will help promote the city's economic growth.

   While it takes three readings to pass the ordinance, Mayor Goedken said he was not in favor of passing all three at one meeting.

   Wolken agreed, noting the community and business owners deserved the chance to offer their comments, too.

   "We need to address the total sign ordinance," Goedken said, beyond the Main Street district.

   Wolken said the biggest complaint he hears from downtown business owners is that they want to be able to display blade signs again.

   "We looked at what additional communities allow," he told the council when writing the new guidelines.

   He said the ordinance should encourage businesses to be creative with their signs, expressing individuality and the personality of that business.

   The current code also does not contain language pertaining to sign maintenance. This amendment would note it's the owner's responsibility.

   Last, it would allow signs that had to be previously removed to return.

   "No one will be forced to change (their sign)," Wolken said. "It'll be voluntary."