PRAIRIE GROVE -- A U.S. Supreme Court decision is calling into question sign ordinances used in cities across the country and Prairie Grove City Council is revisiting its sign ordinance to make sure it falls in line with the court's ruling, according to Larry Oelrich, director of administrative services and public works.
Prairie Grove City Council looked over a draft of its sign ordinance at its May 16 meeting and council members were asked to submit any comments they have about the proposed changes.
Oelrich said the Supreme Court ruled last year on a lawsuit filed by a church in Gilbert, Ariz.
According to an article about the Supreme Court decision on CNN's website, Gilbert's sign ordinance restricted church directional signs to 6 square feet and they could only be displayed for up to 12 hours before a service. Political signs were allowed up to 32 square feet and could be put up any time before the election.
The church challenged the sign ordinance on the grounds of free speech. The suit eventually made it to the Supreme Court.
"Basically, the decision says that if you allow certain signs for one thing you have to allow them for all," Oelrich said, adding the changes to the city's sign ordinance mainly will deal with provisions for temporary signs.
"We no longer can specify signs by use, like real estate signs," Oelrich said.
The draft ordinance would allow temporary signs by permit only for 32 days. Election signs are allowed 60 days prior and seven days following an election in Prairie Grove. Campaign signs are exempt from the number and total size of sign restrictions during that period.
In other business, aldermen adopted an ordinance to amend the city's zoning laws for automobile-salvage yards and other automobile-related businesses. Salvage yards are permitted with a conditional use permit in B-1 zones only. Automotive repairs are permitted in B-1 and as a conditional use in central business district and B-2 zones.
For auto repair and towing businesses, vehicles that are dismantled, wrecked or non-operable cannot be stored longer than 10 days on the premises unless they are in an enclosed building or hidden behind a 6-foot privacy fence. Such vehicles cannot be located in the front one-third of the property or within 25 feet of any street right of way.
The Council also authorized Oelrich to begin survey work on land near the sewer treatment plant that will be turned into a city park. Some ideas for the park include a picnic area, walking trail, fishing spots along the Illinois River, a multi-sport field, parking and restrooms. Having a site plan in place will allow the city to apply for grants to help pay for the park.
In addition, Council members approved three rezoning ordinances, rezoning the parcels from agricultural to Business-1. Land was rezoned at 13114 Heritage Parkway, 10969 Danny Bryan Road and 12466 Heritage Parkway.
General News on 06/01/2016