New sign ordinance moves step closer to council consideration

GENTRY — A new sign ordinance is a step closer to reality with the planning and zoning commission approving the basic content of a draft ordinance at its July 15 meeting.

The 10-page ordinance would regulate the use of signs within the city toprevent “visual pollution, traffic hazards and general disarray of the community.”

The proposed ordinance addresses a wide variety of sign types, sign sizes and sign lighting and placement.

The proposed ordinance, with some corrections will be brought back for a final review at the commission’sAugust meeting before being sent on to the city council for possible adoption.

Suggestions have been made for more than a year to study and tighten the city’s sign regulations. After much deliberation over the course of several meetings, a recommended ordinance may soon be brought before the council.