The Planning & Zoning Commission met on Wednesday, September 7, for a meeting and public hearing regarding the proposed signage ordinance in the Unified Development Code.

Commissioners Matt Lewis, Kirk Felps, chair Tony Vela, and Connie Barron were present.

During the public hearing, Barron discussed various technical changes to the published proposed signage ordinance.

As the new ordinance consolidates all signage rules into one section, Barron said, language was added to say, “if to any in this chapter conflicts with any other section of the UDC, this chapter prevails.”

Other changes Barron discussed were for clarification. The proposed ordinance also relies on the UDC’s lighting ordinance for sign illumination rules. Specifications for banners that stretch across US Highway 281 would defer to Pedernales Electric Coop and Texas Department of Transportation, which make the final call on banners that are put across the highway on PEC’s electric lines.

Garage sale signs were discussed by the commissioners, Mayor Chuck Homan and City Utilities Director Nathan Cantrell.

Cantrell reported that his crews drive around town every Monday and collect a box full of garage sale signs. In other cities, such as Granite Shoals, residents must purchase a set of six stickers from City Hall. The stickers permit the resident to put up six signs during the week and require the signs be removed prior to the next week. Those who fail to remove their signs–whether or not they were permitted–would receive a ticket.

The proposed signage ordinance allows garage and yard sale signs to be placed four times per year and only on the day of the event.

As the commission moved to the public hearing about the proposed ordinance, Mayor Homan said the commission would have to hold a public hearing with a completed document; no one had a chance to read the ordinance with the new changes.

Lewis moved to accept the changes to the ordinance; Felps seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Planning & Zoning Commission will have to wait another month to get the proposed ordinance moved on to City Council.

Search for New Commissioner

Newly appointed P&Z commissioner Nelson Wheatley recently resigned, closed down his WB Saloon & Bar, and moved out of town.

“We have one slot open,” said chair Vela. “If you know anyone who might be interested, we need to get them to go to the city office and fill out an application.”