Time to weigh in on sign restrictions

Editorials

Discussion

October 24, 2009

Anonymous Pharos-Tribune Sat Oct 24, 2009, 09:21 PM EDT

In light of last week’s ruling on a new sign for a downtown bank, it’s important that city planners take a new look at Logansport’s sign regulations.

Under the current regulations for downtown Logansport, a sign such as the one planned by Security Federal Savings Bank wouldn’t be allowed, but given last week’s ruling, the city would do well to come up with some guidelines for dealing with the next application.

At the same time, the city planning commission is in the process of putting together rules governing so-called LED, or light-emitting diode, signs.

As it now stands, the city has no such regulations, which means any business seeking to install such a sign must go before the board of zoning appeals. Setting some rules, the planning department hopes, will give the BZA some guidance in dealing with applications while allowing many businesses to erect signs without having to go through the trouble of applying for a variance.

Just what form those regulations should take is a matter of some debate.

The city planning commission made the right call this month when it decided to postpone action on the proposed regulations to give the chamber of commerce time to formulate a response.

Clearly, the chamber and its members have a stake in the discussion, and their views should be taken into consideration.

The ordinance now under consideration calls for a minimum distance of 400 feet between LED signs. The ordinance would also establish a minimum distance of 200 feet from a residential area and a minimum display time of seven seconds for each message. It would prohibit videos, audio speakers and bright flashes.

Animated images would not be allowed to exceed one color and the illumination levels would be regulated from dusk to dawn. The signs could not be larger than 32 square feet, and they could not stand taller than 20 feet.

The goal of regulations like these is to guide development. They allow a community to identify the sort of image it wants to project and to put in place restrictions consistent with that image.

Some have suggested businesses should be allowed to install whatever sign they can afford. Others favor lots of restrictions.

Some envision a community with lots of bright, flashing signs. Others would prefer a more subdued image.

Local planners are now in the process of putting together rules that will determine which vision of Logansport will prevail. If you have an opinion on the issue, now would be a good time to speak up.

Want to go?

What: Logansport Planning Commission meeting

When: 4 p.m. Nov. 9

Where: City council chambers on the third floor of the city building at 601 E. Broadway

The issue

The Logansport Planning Commission next month will consider an ordinance regulating lighted signs.

Our view

Those with an opinion on the issue would do well to share their views.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Editorials

Postal service listens to small towns
The U.S. Postal Service plans to keep smaller post offices open by scaling back the hours at those and other offices. The postal service deserves credit for listening to the concerns of its customers.

May 22, 2012
A history lesson on two wheels
The Cass County Historical Society staged its second annual bike tour last weekend. The event raises money for a great cause while offering participants to get some exercise and learn a bit of local history.

May 17, 2012
Stormwater fees about to go up
The Logansport Stormwater Management Board is considering a 51-percent increase in its monthly rate. The board is about to launch into a huge project, and residents would do well to tune into the process.

May 15, 2012
A day to say thanks to moms
Today is Mother’s Day, an observance that dates back more than a century. Mothers everywhere deserve our gratitude for the love they showed and the lessons they taught.

May 12, 2012
Six-to-Six program offers promise
A new program called Six-to-Six aims to work with middle school students facing suspension from school. Catching issues when kids are still in middle school should cut down on the number of teenagers who go on to drop out of school or wind up in jail.

May 10, 2012
Council can’t have it both ways
The Logansport City Council is considering an ordinance eliminating the requirement that police officers and firefighters provide receipts in order to collect their annual uniform allowance. If the council wants to ensure the money is well spent, it should reject this ordinance.

May 9, 2012
That weight problem hasn’t gone away
A report issued this week predicts that more than 40 percent of us will be obese by 2030. The way to tackle this problem is for every one of us to take ownership of it and take steps to address it.

May 9, 2012
Today’s the day to cast ballots
Both political parties have important contests on today’s primary election ballot, and residents have a civic duty to take part in the process.

May 8, 2012
Everyone should be on same page
The Logansport-Cass County Economic Development Foundation expressed concern last week as the city discussed plans to allocate more money toward an international marketing effort. Spending money on marketing Logansport and Cass County is a good idea, but it’s important that our leaders coordinate their economic development efforts.

May 6, 2012
.Refusing to give up on students
The number of suspensions is dropping at Logansport High School. Keeping kids in school means a higher graduation rate and a better educated work force.

May 1, 2012
More Editorials Headlines

Editorials

Search Results

Discussion

Time to weigh in on sign restrictions

Cass County commissioners recently passed an ordinance giving three departments the authority to issue tickets to individuals whose properties are in violation of county codes. Do you support this move?

Site Map

Contact Us