Proposed Cape ordinance would restrict signs

The Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission discussed a new ordinance restricting the use of signs at its meeting Wednesday night.

The ordinance would prohibit most banner signs, most flashing signs and all signs in areas known as public rights of way that are city property. It would also prohibit most human signage occurring when businesses hire people to distribute fliers or wear sandwich boards.

The 31-page ordinance will be voted on at an upcoming Cape Girardeau City Council meeting, but not before the city holds a public hearing in February.

The sign ordinance provides exceptions for some free-standing signs like the ones popular among Main Street businesses.

Political signs were deemed by the city attorney to be exempt from the ordinance after a Supreme Court case characterized them as constitutionally protected forms of free speech.

In other business, city engineer Jay Stencel announced that an informal agreement had been reached between his office and local developers over a contentious sidewalk ordinance.

He said he met with developers Wednesday and has reached an agreement on the best way to ensure sidewalks are installed in new subdivisions. This compromise calls for the city to require developers either to submit a performance bond issued by an insurance company to guarantee the installation of sidewalks or to escrow the money. The tentative proposal would require that builders install the sidewalks within five years of breaking ground.

Stencel expects to have an ordinance drawn up in time for the next city council meeting.