Digital, flutter signs could come to city

Public hearing scheduled for updated regulations

Madison County’s only city is working to loosen up its signage regulations.

Following a decision to unanimously accept a positive recommendation from the planning board by councilors at the latest City of Oneida Common Council meeting, the city will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed amendments to its sign ordinance beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Two of the more notable proposed changes include allowing feather flutter signs and digital signs.

Digital signs are defined as “any sign that advertises or oth-

erwise communicates using LCD, LED, plasma or other digital imaging medium,” and the message displayed cannot change more than twice in a minute.

“Businesses need more options,” said Ward 6 Councilor Tom Simchik, saying aspects of the ordinance were outdated and needed to be addressed as there are increasingly more advertising options available to business owners.

Feather flutter signs, defined as “any sign consist- ing of a portable, vertical banner, in varying lengths, in the shape of a teardrop or narrow rectangle that contains a harpoon-style pole or staff driven into the ground for support or supported by means of an individual stand,” will be permitted from May 1 through Oct. 31 if approved.

“We tried to really clean it up and streamline the process while still giving the council what they feel they need for business,” said city planning director Cassie Rose. Rose said that throughout the process, the planning commission, which consists of a sevenmember board appointed by the mayor, tried to answer the question: “How can we work it in without making the ordinance more cumbersome while still allowing businesses to move ahead with new signage?”

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Mayor Leo Matzke.

Matzke also spoke of the need to consider the differences between Downtown Oneida and Route 5.

“We appreciate what Route 5 is but don’t want that downtown,” he said.

To read the complete sign ordinance recommendation, visit: http://oneidacity. com/legal-notice-sign-ordinance-amendments/