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After months of debate, the city of Smithville is close to finishing sign code revisions.

During a Tuesday, Sept. 15, Board of Aldermen meeting, the board gave preliminary approval to revisions that affect electronic signs as well as signs at outdoor businesses, such as Full Features Nursery & Landscape, and signs from religious organizations.

The proposed revisions spell more paperwork and requirements for those seeking electronic signs, also known as LED signs and scroll text signs, which could make it tougher for businesses to land the signs.

Aldermen Bob Foreman said that in the future, he’d like the board to discuss what he sees as “the proliferation of LED signs” in Smithville.

“They just become distractions,” Foreman said. “I’m not even sure if they are helping our business owners because there is so much flashing going on.”

The proposed revisions include a new section that essentially exempts businesses from having to obtain permits for outdoor signs related to outdoor merchandise as long as the signs can’t be seen off the property and don’t entice someone outside the property.

Dan Fuller with Full Features — a business with merchandise displayed outside — had previously told the planning commission he disagreed with a rule limiting sign sizes near his outdoor merchandise.

Another proposed change is that religious, charitable, governmental, educational and nonprofit groups are no longer exempt from having to obtain permits for signs smaller than 40 square feet.

Instead, charitable, fraternal and civic groups must ask the aldermen for permission to put up signs.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to determine which ones are worthy of a sign, so if one of these groups want a sign, they have to ask us to put a motion before the board,” Jack Hendrix, community development director, said.

The board plans to give the sign code revisions final approval during its Oct. 6 meeting.

The one sign code detail that the Planning Commission has not yet forwarded onto the board addresses attention-attracting devices, such as fluttering flags, flashing lights and balloons.

Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached at 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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