By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Work progresses on revising Chapter 16 in the Los Alamos County Code, known as the development code. Tuesday, Oct. 19, the steering committee formed to revise the code met to offer its thoughts on proposed signage standards.
The meeting, which was led by Jessica Lawlis of Dekker, Perich, Sabatini, the firm contracted to assist in the effort to revise Chapter 16, addressed what types of signs are allowed and prohibited, the permitted dimensions of signs in different districts and the regulations for sign illumination.
Sign regulation is unique, Lawlis said.
“Signage regulations are a bit different than a lot of other development standards that we have discussed so far … because they are very related to first amendment speech issues,” she said.
As a result research is underway on what can and can’t be done in regulating signage, Lawlis said.
The purpose is to allow speech through signage but permit it in a way that is respectful and protective of public health, safety and welfare, she said. Additionally, signs would be designed, constructed, installed and maintained in line with standards to safeguard the public’s health, property and safety. These standards also would preserve Los Alamos County’s character.
If an existing sign does not conform to the newly adopted regulations, they will be grandfathered in, Lawlis said.
There was some discussion between permanent and temporary signs. Lawlis said it is proposed that permits be required for permanent signs but not temporary ones.
Other exemptions for permits include legal notices by government entities, traffic control devices, signs located in sight triangles, any signs inside a building but not attached to a window, address plaques, historical plaques, flags and exterior works of art.
There also was discussion about what signs would be prohibited from being erected. These include signs that would create hazards to pedestrians and motorists, Lawlis said. Other signs that would not be approved are abandoned signs, and signs that violate this section of the County Code or advertise an event or service that isn’t lawful. Signs that are unsafe, cover right-of-ways, unless allowed, or impair traffic or driver and pedestrian vision would not be allowed. Animated or moving signs would not be permitted as well as signs with reflective surfaces, feature beacons or strings of lights.
Committee Member Debbie Morley encouraged sign regulations that allow businesses the most visibility. The committee discussed “feather signs” or tapered banner-like signs that have a cement base.
“Feather signs were a huge discussion a couple years back,” Morley said. “Some people love them, some people hate them. I think it is unfair to the small business to prohibit everything to where they are basically hidden under a hump of dirt like a hobbit house.”
Committee member and owner of Central Park Square Philip Kunsberg said he personally doesn’t like feather signs but understood Morley’s point. He said he felt some clarification was needed, adding that the regulations needed to be uniform, otherwise there could be signs everywhere.
“If every tenant (in Central Park Square) did it, it would be a signage zoo,” Kunsberg pointed out. “If you allow it in one case you have to allow it in every case …”
This seemed to be an issue for the County Council to rule on, committee member and Metzger’s General Manager David Jolly said.
LACDC Acting Executive Director Lauren McDaniel said feather signs shouldn’t be prohibited but should be designated as a temporary sign.
Others on the committee agreed, saying a 60-day period seemed reasonable although Jolly said he felt a business should be allowed temporary signs multiple times throughout the year.
The next steering committee meeting is noon Tuesday, Nov. 2 and will be available for members of the public to listen to via Zoom.
