HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_Planning & Zoning Meeting_11102021
PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING
IONA COMMUNITY CENTER
November 10th, 2021 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairman James West, Member James Cooper, Member Bill Koester, and Member
Ray Hart.
ABSENT: Member Gary Elliott.
VISITORS: None.
Chairman West welcomed everyone and asked Member Hart to lead with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes: Member Hart moved to approve the minutes for October 13th, 2021.
Member Cooper seconded the motion. All were in favor, so the motion carried.
Items of Business:
Discussion of the City’s Sign Ordinance
Chairman West noted the context is that it came to the Planning and Zoning Commission as a
discussion for any notes they may have, then it will go to City Council for discussion, then
through the process again as an action item.
Mayor Gubler had noticed some signs around town, and had asked Public Works Director Zech
Prouse, to remove any sign in a public right of way. Director Prouse questioned whether that was
in the City Code. They asked the City Attorney Andrew Rawlings to look into the sign
ordinance. Attorney Rawlings noted that there was nothing against having signs in the public
right-of-way, but recommended that the Sign Ordinance be cleaned up.
Member Koester inquired if it was pertaining to election signs.
Member Cooper clarified that it could be any kind of sign, advertising work, businesses, etc.
Member Hart noted that he would be concerned that he wouldn’t be able to have a no trespassing
sign. He noted that the wording would need to be carefully written, because it allows for people
to say “I don’t like this sign, you need to remove it” if someone doesn't agree with what the sign
is referring to. He would prefer that City Council not make codes that restrict what people do. He
would prefer that people not be able to control other members of the community by pointing to
the City Code.
Chairman West noted that the animated signs section could apply to a Christmas Sign, but then
recognized that there is a section that talks about temporary signs that would negate that issue.
He stated that going from nothing to this ordinance seems like a huge jump. Government should
stay out of people’s lives as much as possible.
He noted that there is a section that states there can be a flagpole, but it needs to comply with the
building requirements in the Code, but there is no section specifying the building requirements
for a flag pole.
Chairman West asked what the definition of a public nuisance is. He noted that a citizen might
be able to reference a sign as a public nuisance, just because they didn’t like it.
Chairman West asks the City Council to table it. There hasn’t been public outcry, or public
complaints to preclude the change of the ordinance. They are unaware of any issue that would
make the change necessary. Chairman West notes that he understands getting ahead of an issue,
but that we should get ahead of things that
A. Are things that could be a public nuisance.
B. Are things that could be dangerous to the public.
C. Are things that are contradictory to our current code.
Chairman West doesn’t see this as an issue that needs to be addressed. Even if someone put up a
sign that didn’t meet the requirements we have lined out, it wouldn’t be an issue, or cause
problems. At no time does a sign become a danger to the City.
Member Cooper noted it could become a safety issue if it’s placed in a sight line in the right of
way. Member Hart stated that the fence ordinance already has wording in place to prevent things
being placed in the sight line.
Member Cooper also stated that it always seems like there’s an issue with signs being left after
an election which can become a nuisance.
Member Koester noted that he doesn’t think the City needs to put limits on private property. He
understands the issue in the right-of-way. Chairman West stated there were bigger issues on
private property, like junkyards.
Chairman West motioned to adjourn the meeting. Chairman Hart seconded. All are in favor, the
motion carried.
Meeting Adjourned: 7:02 p.m.
P&Z APPROVED: _________________
______________________________
James West, Chairman
ATTEST:
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Rylea Farrens, Office Assistant