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Councilmember Stewart noted that if someone has a sign in their own yard, they would still be <br />required to have a permit, and she would not want to permit someone’s use of their own yard. <br /> <br />City Planner Martin explained that these permits help them with location and size of these signs <br />to make sure they are not too large and are not in the right-of-way. <br /> <br />Mayor Heineman stated if they did not require permitting for signs in someone’s yard, then <br />someone could make signs with profane language and have them in their yard, and the City would <br />not be able to step in and do anything. <br /> <br />Councilmember Stewart recommended having a maximum size that would require permits on <br />residential properties and anything smaller would not need a permit. <br /> <br />Mayor Heineman asked what the process would be if they wanted to try out this process but want <br />to change it again in the future. <br /> <br />City Planner Martin said if the Council adopted the ordinance with these updates, if they wanted <br />to change it in the future, they would have to adopt another ordinance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht asked if residents would still be able to apply for variances from this code. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hanson shared that they have an appeals process as the size of <br />signs typically do not meet the hardship requirements for variances. <br /> <br />City Attorney Knaak shared that City Planner Martin has done a great job at preparing these <br />updates and they do a great job at addressing any potential issues. He added that there is so much <br />money involved in bigger, electrical signs that he is concerned could be an issue. He explained <br />that a lot of other cities deal with issues of temporary signs by giving their Public Works a directive <br />that if any signs are seen in rights-of-way, then they are allowed to pick up the sign and remove it. <br />He said that they can regulate the time, place, and manner of signs without worrying about <br />infringing on free speech, which could get them in legal trouble. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht asked if signs attached to someone’s fence is considered a temporary sign. <br /> <br />City Attorney Knaak said yes. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht said he is still in favor of not requiring permits for any sizes on personal <br />property. <br /> <br />Councilmember Stewart stated she would like to see the maximum size without a permit be four <br />feet by eight feet. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht asked what decides if a permit is approved since they cannot regulate the <br />content. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / April 8, 2025 <br />Page 4 of 8 <br /> <br />