Changes in Fargo's sign code approved by a city committee left members of the portable and electronic sign industry grumbling Tuesday.
Most galling for portable sign firms are proposed restrictions that halve how long the signs can be in one spot.
Meanwhile, makers of electronic messaging centers say planned size restrictions for the signs, particularly along interstates, are too small and would leave them unreadable.
The current sign code calls for portable signs to be up 30 days and down 60 days, giving users up to 120 days a year to place them.
The proposed code allows signs up 14 days and down 14 days, for a maximum of 56 days a year.
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Senior Planner Jim Hinderaker said staff had negotiated with sign firms to allow the signs up 30 days, then taken down 14 days, for a maximum display of 120 days a year.
However, Sign Code Committee members Rich Slagle and Brad Wimmer said that was too long.
"I just don't think 30 days is the purpose of a portable sign," Slagle said, who added that the proposed code matches West Fargo and Moorhead laws.
"We're trying to make business work. The 120 days is absolutely mandatory that we get that," said Jody Boeckel of Boeckel Mobile Advertising.
Compromise plans failed on tie votes, so chairman John Paulsen moved the 14 day up, 14 day down plan ahead for debate later.
The committee voted to limit the number of portable signs to one per parcel. However, for strip malls or other multiple businesses with at least six units, two signs are allowed. For every additional four businesses over the original six, another portable sign will be allowed.
Electronic messaging centers won't be allowed in neighborhood commercial and neighborhood office zones, and the signs must have 7-second hold times, and no background animation or frame effects between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., the committed voted.
Protests came from the industry on the maximum 100-square-feet size restrictions for electronic signs.
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Bernie Dardis, CEO of Indigo Signworks in Fargo, said that was too small, particularly along the interstates. He said several signs now in place along Interstate 29 would be out of compliance, and would require expensive retrofitting or replacement when they break or at the end of their useful lives.
The committee agreed to move ahead with the proposed sign size and zoning grid, and consider making adjustments at their next meeting, which was set for July 13.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
