Signs of every kind – business signs, political signs, signs advertising a church BBQ, traffic signs, yard sale signs, and on and on – are regulated. However, the City’s sign regulations are nearly 30 years old, and during that time the City has grown substantially and sign technology has evolved dramatically. More recently, developments in the law have fundamentally changed how signs may be regulated consistent with the First Amendment.
In response, the City Council recently authorized the creation of a Task Force to draft new and updated sign regulations. The Task Force will be comprised of elected officials, City board and committee members, representatives of Lebanon’s business community, and Lebanon residents.
This is where YOU come in! The Planning Department is looking for a mix of resident and business owner volunteers to serve on the Task Force.
Please consider volunteering to serve on the Task Force. What signs are permitted where and how can have a profound impact on the attractiveness of our community. But determining what these rules should be is a decision that should be made collectively through the planning process. Having a mix of residents, business owners, elected officials and municipal board members serve on the Task Force will help to ensure the draft sign regulations reflect the values and aspirations of our residents, balanced with the needs of our businesses.
If you are a Lebanon resident or Lebanon business owner, the only qualifications needed are:
- Availability to attend a majority of the Task Force meetings; and
- An interest in sharing your views and opinions on what types of signs are appropriate and where.
Planning Department staff will use graphics and other interactive methods to keep the meetings engaging, interesting, and maybe even entertaining! Please consider applying. You can fill out a simple application by clicking on the link below.
WHAT: The City Council has authorized a 15 member Task Force to develop recommendations for new sign regulations.
WHY: Establishing rules as to how, when, where, signs may be displayed is an essential planning tool and helps to ensure a safe and attractive community. At the same time, the rules must respect free speech principles and the needs of the City’s businesses.
WHO: Both Lebanon residents and Lebanon business owners are needed to serve on the Task Force. If you are one of these or both, please consider applying!
WHEN: Seven meetings of the Task Force are tentatively scheduled from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM on the following Tuesdays in the spring and fall of 2017: April 11, April 25, May 9, May 23, September 5, September 19, and October 3. This schedule will allow City staff to prepare draft regulations over the summer for review by the Task Force in the fall. Additional meetings may be scheduled if needed.
HOW: You can apply to sit on the Task Force by clicking below to complete a very simple application form. Applications will be accepted until March 17, 2017 or pick up a application in the Planning & Development Office at City Hall.
QUESTIONS? If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Tim Corwin, Senior Planner, by phone at 448-1524 or by e-mail at tim.corwin@lebcity.com.
SECTION 608 TASK FORCE MEMBER APPLICATION FORM
Additional Information:
City Council 2/15/17 Create of Task Force agenda packet
City Council 2/15/17 Proposed Zoning Amendment for Sign Regs agenda packet