The Nebraska City Planning Commission approved new sign regulations Wednesday night that ban new pole signs and outline restrictions for monument signs.
“We were lacking in a lot of our definitions,” Zoning Administrator Dan Giittinger said.
The modified sign ordinance now states that “free-standing on-site signs mounted on poles or posts in any zoning district shall be prohibited.”
“New pole signs are no longer going to be constructed in the town,” Giittinger said.
Other new language in the guidelines relates to monument signs and electronic signs, including existing signs that can be modified to include electronic elements.
Electronic signs must display an image for at least five seconds before transitioning to another static image, and the signs may not emit an audible sound. Signs cannot be flashing or animated.
“We believe that this ordinance does not allow scrolling images,” City Administrator Pat Haverty said.
Monument signs are to be set back at least five feet from the right of way line or a greater distance depending on the height of the sign.
Signs and other structures are not to exceed 3 1/2 feet in height if located within a specified triangle area between intersecting streets.
Giittinger said public schools have eminent domain, but all other entities, including private schools and churches, must follow the regulations.
Existing pole signs and non-conforming monument signs approved prior to the new regulations will be allowed to remain.
Stoner said the planning commission believed that some of the new stipulations were already contained in city ordinances.
“We thought this was in place for years,” he said.
Giittinger said some sign requests were denied that would have been legal.
“We were telling everybody no until we were told by the city attorney that we weren’t interpreting the code correctly,” he said.
If the City Council approves the new regulations, the changes would take affect after 15 days.
