Temporary and directional signs in Saluda could soon be removed from the city’s streets as city council agreed to enforce its current sign ordinance.
Saluda City Council met Monday, July 14 and discussed several temporary signs that have popped up recently.
Commissioner Lynn Cass began the discussion saying that the Saluda tailgate market signs should be officially approved.
After some discussion about the city’s current ordinance, council came to a consensus for its new zoning administrator, Jonathan Cannon to enforce the ordinance concerning temporary and directional signs, except for city sponsored events, such as the tailgate market.
Council also agreed for its planning board to begin working on revisions to the sign ordinance, giving the board until the end of September to come up with a draft so council can vote on the new ordinance in October.
Cannon is working part-time, one day per week and has been employed with the city for approximately two months. Cannon said the reason he hasn’t been enforcing the current ordinance is because it affects so many people. There are currently no provisions specifically for church signs, simply directional signs that are off-premise, he said.
“The ordinance doesn’t define a difference between any of those,” Cannon said. “I’ve been lapse on enforcing it because it affects so many people.”
Cass said it seems in the last two months so many temporary signs have popped up around the city. She said the tailgate market signs come under city sponsorship but all the others the city needs to deal with.
“We’ve had numerous signs pop up,” Cass said. “I think all signs not approved should be taken down until the sign ordinance is complete.”
Cass said she’s seen some signs that look homemade that have popped up recently.
Saluda’s current sign ordinance does not allow off-premise signs.
Mayor Fred Baisden said Saluda’s sign ordinance was patterned after the City of Hendersonville and there, off-premise signs are taken down. Signs that are in front of a business are left alone, he said.
Saluda’s tailgate market was at one point given consent by council to have signs for 48 hours surrounding the Friday afternoon event. The tailgate market signs were never officially voted on, but council came to a consensus that since it is a city-sponsored event those type signs can stay. Council also discussed signs for events such as Coon Dog Day and Charlie’s barbecue, which are also considered city- sponsored events so those signs will be allowed.
Residents and council said the new sign ordinance should make previsions for both city-sponsored events and for non-profits, such as churches.
Council also mentioned a provision in the new ordinance should be for murals.
The planning board was directed to begin work on amendments to the sign ordinance with council saying it could take the board a few meetings per month to come up with a draft.