That “Grand Opening” sign, the “Now Hiring” sign outside or business or even the big “Darren Bailey” sign in your yard may go obsolete starting Dec. 1 2022, if the planning commission passes this draft as is.
“Even though political signs are not suppose to be regulated, well the Town is trying to change the code to take content out and restrict all signs so that way they can say, ‘it doesn’t matter if it’s political we do this with all signs.’ Think about the other places that use temporary signs,” said Stan Nord, a Normal Town Councilman.
Nord said this will destroy businesses. Those signs help customers see where your business is at.
“You can’t use the advantage of Veterans Parkway and put out temporary signage,” said Nord.
The Chamber of Commerce has yet to respond for comment, but the Town of Normal pays the most to subscribe to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
This code language going forward to the Planning Commission was approved by council 5 to 2, Scott Preston joined Nord is voting no to sending it to the Planning Commission.
“The public input to talk about this with your elected officials that has been removed. you can’t really talk to us because this is going through this public hearing process. Council members cannot talk to the planning commission people,” said Nord.
Mayor Chris Koos appoints the members of the Planning Commission.
Kathleen Lorenz, a Normal Town councilwoman, said that the Council operates like a Board of Directors.
“I want to let the process go. I want the function that is suppose to happen, happen,” said Lorenz. “I view the role on council, much like a board of directors. The Board of the Directors should be focused on broad, big picture. Have the staff work out the details. The city staff is the how and we [the council] are the what and why. Stan very often crosses that line of governance between board of directors and the how.”
The council passed the code changes to go to the planning commission for review. It is written for the changes to go into effect on Dec. 1, 2022. Just after the mid-terms and before the local elections. The municipal election take place April 2023.
“Council didn’t pass any new sign code. We initiated the process for it to be reviewed via the Planning commission process,” said Kathleen Lorenz, a Normal Town councilwoman. “A process that is very public and encourages stakeholder input.”
Something like this exceeds the 4×4 size and you wouldn’t be able to permit for that. You have to permit for a 7 square foot sign and limit is one per street-facing side.
Stakeholders like the Chamber of Commerce and the Real Estate Association.
Lorenz said a draft of a modified zoning text for temporary signs was provided for review ,but it is subject to review and revision via public input through the planning commission process. Councilman Stan Nord and Scott Preston didn’t approve the draft written by town staff and voted no to sending it to the Planning Commission.
Why would you vote for the Planning Commission to review an ordinance you don’t agree with?
“Stan does not demonstrate an understanding of the planning commission process. I think that is because he never served on it. I served on it for 8 years. It’s a really good process for getting these sorts of issues,” said Lorenz.
Lorenz said she didn’t approve entirely of the draft but trusts the process and wants to go through the process.
“Much of what was include in the draft is existing code. Like the 84 day duration. Also the one sign per street frontage,” said Lorenz.
The changes? The sizing of your temporary and the commercial mandatory permits, which did not exist before.
Corporation Counsel Brian Day said it is intended to restrict the size of political signs.
But why is the Town of Normal addressing this issue in the first place? Making a distinction about the content or purpose of the sign.
“Due to a Supreme Court ruling Reed v Arizona city ordinances cannot use language in the sign ordinance that delineates what type of sign or the purpose of the sign. That’s the content neutrality piece where by going forward our language in the ordinance will be temporary residential. And temporary non residential,” said Lorenz.
Essentially it lumps temporary signs all together and doesn’t classify a distinction between political signs and other temporary signs.
The changes would limit businesses to one political sign on each street-facing side after the town approves you a permit. It will also limit temporary signs for other businesses like dealerships, gas stations, Walmart, stores to one temporary sign as well… again, after they get a permit. Hypothetically, if you wanted to have a political sign for Kathleen Loren and Stan Nord in your yard you might not receive a permit for that.
Those Darren Bailey signs that are 4X4 wouldn’t be allowed because they are 8 square ft.
The Town of Normal defines the phrase temporary sign as: “A sign intended to display either commercial or noncommercial messages of a transitory or temporary nature. Portable signs or any sign not permanently embedded in the ground or not permanently affixed to a building or sign structure that is permanently embedded in the ground, are considered temporary signs.”
“If you were to look at this through a campaign lens, if somebody were to run in a primary…you’re going to have
