SYRACUSE — City leaders have adopted new revisions to sign requirements that are expected to be more business friendly.
In recent action, the council voted unanimously to adopt amendments to Title 10 of the city’s code for sign and lighting regulations. City Planner Kent Andersen described the changes as a tightening of language of the ordinance.
What has been tightened is the ability of a business to have a single tenant pylon or pole sign, instead of having to share polar signage with another company.
The new amendments also decrease the size of temporary signs. Bench signs and lighted signs are also addressed in the changes.
The council spent a portion of the work session on the issue addressing whether or not sign requirements should be specific in regards to content, specifically signs that could be perceived as being sexually offensive.
City Attorney Will Carlson and Mayor Jamie Nagle both echoed warnings about trying to go too far in restricting free speech.
“Free speech is free speech no matter how disgusting it may be,” Nagle said.
Councilman Brian Duncan worried out loud about potential content, however, if the council didn’t have some guidelines on the issue.
Councilwoman Karianne Lisonbee said she worries the lack of restrictions could potentially impact the city.
“I don’t want Syracuse to turn into Las Vegas. It’s a stretch, but even it’s just one, it impacts our city and the view of our city,” Lisonbee said.
Nagle said the new revised guidelines are a means of planning for the future.
Comments