Tomball Magnolia Potpourri - News
Magnolia businesses and residents have new sign rules
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| Signs at the intersection of FM 1774 and FM 1488 in the city of Magnolia will be allowed to remain after the City Council adopted a new sign ordinance, Aug. 12. |
By TANA ROSS
Magnolia business owners and residents now have the information they need to advertise in the city. Magnolia City Council approved a new sign ordinance, in the making since May, at its regular meeting, Aug. 12.
Candy Vantilborg of Country Tyme Trophies, which sells trophies, signs and other logo products, spoke to the council in July and is now waiting on a final copy of the new ordinance.
“I was not able to attend the meeting, so I am waiting to see the final draft,” she said. “Our business has been good throughout the summer, but I did turn away a $350 sign order when the council was going over all this.”
Many cities across the state began reviewing sign ordinances after a Texas Department of Transportation ruling was made in February, allowing electronic image signs on regulated highways. TxDOT’s ruling includes a provision for municipalities, which calls for the permitting of the signs within the city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction.
In response, cities like Magnolia began discussions about the electronic imaging signs known as LEDs after the Texas Municipal League issued a recommendation to ban the signs. While the Magnolia council chose to review its sign ordinance in sum, other cities like Tomball amended existing sign ordinances to prohibit the LED signs — something Lee Vela, president of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas said would be unfavorable for local businesses when he spoke to the Magnolia council in May.
“There can be no flashing, blinking or videos and the message can only change every eight seconds, according to TxDOT,” he said.
Vela said cities concerned that videos would be playing on billboard-sized signs were misinformed. He said TxDOT addressed many of the city’s concerns in its ruling. With the new ordinance, the city focused on off-premise signs that include scrolling messages, videos and incorporate flashing messages.
The new ordinance allows LED signs with a minimum 30-second message or image. Mayor Jimmy Thornton said this would encourage advertisers to buy digital space while addressing driver safety.
While the ordinance “grandfathers” all existing city signs and allows for maintenance and alterations to nonconforming signs currently within the city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction, it does not allow for new off-premise signs — those not located on the site where the goods or services advertised are sold.
The council approved the draft ordinance with a 4-0 vote. Councilman David Sutherland abstained because he owns non electrical advertising signs in the city. Councilwoman Patsy Williams praised City Administrator Ryan Kelly and Schneider for working out the legalities of the ordinance.
“These men did a great job of bringing us a document we could vote on after hearing from our citizens,” she said. “They saved us a lot of money.”
For more information visit the city’s web site at www.cityofmagnolia.com.
Penalty for violation of the new ordinance may result in conviction of a misdemeanor and a fine of $250 to $500 per day.
Candy Vantilborg of Country Tyme Trophies, which sells trophies, signs and other logo products, spoke to the council in July and is now waiting on a final copy of the new ordinance.
“I was not able to attend the meeting, so I am waiting to see the final draft,” she said. “Our business has been good throughout the summer, but I did turn away a $350 sign order when the council was going over all this.”
Many cities across the state began reviewing sign ordinances after a Texas Department of Transportation ruling was made in February, allowing electronic image signs on regulated highways. TxDOT’s ruling includes a provision for municipalities, which calls for the permitting of the signs within the city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction.
In response, cities like Magnolia began discussions about the electronic imaging signs known as LEDs after the Texas Municipal League issued a recommendation to ban the signs. While the Magnolia council chose to review its sign ordinance in sum, other cities like Tomball amended existing sign ordinances to prohibit the LED signs — something Lee Vela, president of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas said would be unfavorable for local businesses when he spoke to the Magnolia council in May.
“There can be no flashing, blinking or videos and the message can only change every eight seconds, according to TxDOT,” he said.
Vela said cities concerned that videos would be playing on billboard-sized signs were misinformed. He said TxDOT addressed many of the city’s concerns in its ruling. With the new ordinance, the city focused on off-premise signs that include scrolling messages, videos and incorporate flashing messages.
The new ordinance allows LED signs with a minimum 30-second message or image. Mayor Jimmy Thornton said this would encourage advertisers to buy digital space while addressing driver safety.
While the ordinance “grandfathers” all existing city signs and allows for maintenance and alterations to nonconforming signs currently within the city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction, it does not allow for new off-premise signs — those not located on the site where the goods or services advertised are sold.
The council approved the draft ordinance with a 4-0 vote. Councilman David Sutherland abstained because he owns non electrical advertising signs in the city. Councilwoman Patsy Williams praised City Administrator Ryan Kelly and Schneider for working out the legalities of the ordinance.
“These men did a great job of bringing us a document we could vote on after hearing from our citizens,” she said. “They saved us a lot of money.”
For more information visit the city’s web site at www.cityofmagnolia.com.
New Sign Ordinance Highlights
Magnolia City Council adopted a new sign ordinance at its regular meeting Aug. 12. The new ordinance, focuses on electronic digital signs and scrolling messages, defines several types of signs and outlines size, placement, permitting and penalties. Some of the highlights of the new ordinance include:
- Wall signs – a business may use up to 60 percent of its total square feet of wall area for signs; the number of signs is not restricted except for the percentage.
- Ground signs – a business may have one ground sign on each side of the business that fronts a road or street.
- Size and number – one ground sign is permitted for each business, not to exceed 200-square-feet, including the frame.
- Location and height – sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height above the finished grade at the front property line; sign must be located on the site where goods or services are offered.
- Electronic signs – shall not contain or display animated, moving video; shall not have an image or message displayed for more than 30 seconds; changeable message shall be limited to two colors; shall be placed toward a public right-of-way.
Penalty for violation of the new ordinance may result in conviction of a misdemeanor and a fine of $250 to $500 per day.
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