Cape Girardeau City Council member wants sign ordinance reviewed

A dust-up between a holiday home tour organizer and enforcers of the city's sign ordinance has prompted Cape Girardeau City Council member Kathy Swan to call for a review of the regulations that she considers unfriendly to business.

At the Cape Girardeau City Council study session Monday night, Melody Anderson shared her story about how 15 signs promoting the Lutheran Family and Children's holiday home tour were removed by police last month for being in public right of way.

But Anderson, the regional development director for the not-for-profit organization, said most members of the public have no idea where public right of way stops and private property begins.

"Is it two feet or 20 feet?" she asked. "But my little plastic signs are not going to hurt anybody. I'm just hoping that in 11 months when we do this again, things go a little smoother."

The council took no action on the discussion during the study session or during its regular meeting. But after the meeting, Swan said she would like to review the sign ordinance that regulates the size, type and location of signs in the city. For example, no signs are allowed in the publicly owned right of way.

Swan, for her part, said that how enamored one is with the sign ordinance depends on whether it's from a standpoint of business or beautification.

"If you're looking at it strictly from a beautification standpoint, obviously the fewer signs the better," Swan said. "But if you're a business owner trying to get your message out during a struggling economy, you're looking at it through a different lens."

But as far as the sign ordinance goes, Swan added: "I think it is not the most business-friendly. It's a complicated ordinance. You almost need a legal opinion about what you can or cannot do."

Swan said she intends to talk to city manager Scott Meyer about a possible review of the ordinance.

During the study session, Meyer said that city staff is happy to work with organizations or businesses interested in putting up signs in the city. In fact, he said, city staff members would even show people where their signs could legally be placed.

"Tell us where you want them and we'll tell you where you can go," Meyer said. "Interact with us and we'll help you."

Mayor Harry Rediger said he sees the need for more communication and education. While the ordinance has been on the books for more than five years, this is the first time that enforcement has gotten more strict, he said.

"We'll always take another look at any ordinance that the people are concerned about," Rediger said. "But I'd be opposed to the staff doing a full-blown review. ... But I understand it is strict and it's really comprehensive."

One council member, Mark Lanzotti, seemed to think it would be fine to "take a look" at the ordinance, even suggesting that Swan be placed in charge of the review.

Others said they liked more strict enforcement, including Loretta Schneider.

"In another city, you might see 10 signs on one corner," she said. "We don't want that. That's the reason we have the sign ordinance."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO