Published: November 02, 2009 09:30 pm      

Council gives preliminary OK to sign rules

Measure would give downtown business owners new option.

The Logansport City Council gave preliminary approval to a new zoning ordinance that would give downtown business owners more sign options.

The ordinance passed on a unanimous vote. If approved again next month, the measure will allow channeled lettering signs in the Logan’s Landing district, an area that now prohibits internally illuminated signs.

“This allows internal illumination and still keeps the downtown pleasing to the eye,” zoning administrator Ryan Schafer told council members.

Channeled letter signs are storefront signs with individually illuminated letters and graphics.

The zoning administrator initially proposed the new language to the Downtown Development Review Board during a public hearing this month on a proposed sign for Stacy Cox Insurance at 300 E. Broadway. Cox received approval to erect the channeled letter sign, but will not be able to turn on the internal illumination unless the city council passes the revised ordinance.

The Logansport Plan Commission provided a favorable recommendation to the proposed amendment at a meeting Oct. 12.

“This type of signage will give more variety for downtown business owners who are erecting signs on their businesses,” Schafer said.

He said the ordinance would still prohibit internally illuminated “box-style” signs, such as LED, or light-emitting diode, signs in the downtown district.

• Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.