Naked City
City vs. Signs, Round 2
By Mike Clark-Madison, Fri., Oct. 10, 2003
The provisions before the City Council today are an attempt to do just that -- as well as to reflect changes made to state law under the recently passed HB 212, which took effect Sept. 1. That law, authored by state Rep. Terry Keel, R-Austin (and specifically targeted at the Village of Bee Cave), prohibits municipalities from using sign regulations to prevent or limit the size of political signs placed on private property. (Certain city code provisions affect signs placed within 15 feet of the actual public right-of-way). But the "bandit signs" that were at the crux of the city's campaigns -- the lose-weight-now, work-from-home variety, often attached to utility poles or trees -- are still fair game. "These signs ... are obstructive to pedestrians and pose a potential safety hazard to drivers throughout the city [and] are an illegal form of advertising that diminishes the beauty of our neighborhoods and city landscape," writes city neighborhood liaison Cora Wright. Staff and council members are reportedly working on ways to devise less-restrictive rules for lost-pet signs and other noncommercial announcements.
Got something to say on the subject? Send a letter to the editor.