Third time a charm? Sign ordinance revised

RED OAK — For the third time in two months, Red Oak’s City Council discussed and voted on changes to the sign ordinance at its April 18 meeting.

Under the latest round of revisions, all signs measuring over 8 feet would be permanently grandfathered in, as long as they aren’t located on Broadway, Senate or Commerce Drive.

Before Monday’s meeting, the signs could remain, but if destroyed or extensively damaged, they would have to be replaced with a monument sign.

Under the third round of changes, the signs could theoretically be replaced with a similar sized sign.

“All pole signs not on Broadway Commerce or Senate will be able to remain. Ff damaged, [business owners] would be able to replace their signs or fix them, whatever they want to do. It is the same as grandfathering in all the pole signs off of those three streets,” Council member Larry Brandstetter said.

However, Council member Roger Wagener still believes the sign ordinance is too intrusive on private businesses.

“I still have a problem with us telling businesses what they can do and what they can’t do,” he said. “We’ve had these signs for years. It’s just too much interference with the private sector.”

Brandstetter pointed out though that these changes only make the already existing sign ordinance less restrictive.

“If this doesn’t pass, those pole signs off Broadway … still have to come down. If it passes, they can stay,” he said.

Council member Ivan Pratt, who had been an ardent opponent of the changes, voting against two previous amendments, voiced his support this time.

“I think this is a good compromise for all involved,” he said.

When the motion came up for a vote, it passed 5-0. The ordinance still requires a second and third reading before it will be formally approved.
 

Also at the meeting, the Council:

Approved a revised sharing agreement for the Montgomery County Family YMCA Aquatics Director. As per the agreement, the aquatics director will manage the city pool during the summer, while all other pool employees remain city employees. The YMCA has agreed to provide the pool manager at no charge, in deference to the city’s $50,000 donation previously this year.

Agreed to purchase a Dodge Charger from Red Oak Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep for $24,420. The Charger cost about $300 more than a Ford Crown Victoria, submitted by Hawkeye Ford. However, the police department requested the Charger under the belief that as a new design, it is less likely to be changed in the future, allowing for less cost in transitioning equipment to future vehicles.
Approved an agreement with Green Tree Company to maintain a brush site during construction of the wastewater treatment plant. The city’s current brush site is now closed, but residents can still drop off grass clippings, leaves, and other yard waste at the Green Tree Site during the following hours: