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Published February 23, 2010, 09:01 AM

Sign community unhappy with draft of sign code

Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - It started last summer, a complaint from a Fargo neighborhood group about an incoming electronic sign nearby. That complaint sparked a closer look at the city's sign code and now it's being re-written. Now, a draft is complete, and city leaders are asking the sign community and people what they think. It's not getting a good review.

  • Scott's Signs
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    Scott and Tracey Slaaen are the husband and wife team who own Scott's Signs. They're the temporary neon signs you see all over town.

Some people from the sign industry say this issue shouldn't be on the city's priority list. They say after last year's flood and a possible repeat this spring, changing the code will be one more thing that will hurt their already struggling businesses.

“It is not only us as business owners, but many of the smaller businesses that are out there today that use us as affordable advertising.”

Scott and Tracey Slaaen are the husband and wife team who own Scott's Signs. They're the temporary neon signs you see all over town. But if the proposed code changes are passed, their business would come to a virtual halt.

“I know it would definitely devastate us to a point where it's possible that we might not be able to continue.”

Temporary signs can be up for 30 days, then have to go down for 60 days, then can come back up for another 30 days. With the proposed changes, that time would be cut in half.

“I definitely think they're taking the freedom of choice out of this. They're kind of imposing this on us that we're going to knock you down to this much time.”

The Slaaens and a lot of the people here tonight say they don't understand the problems with the current sign code. But city planners say they want a change because the city is changing, they're trying to promote Fargo as a "city of neighborhoods."

“Because of that, it's really important that we have high design standards. That we deal with aesthetics. That we have properties that look good.”

The Slaaens argue their business is an asset to Fargo and brings people in, instead of just passing by.

“People come in, they see events going on. Hey, let's go back in. Let's spend our money here in Fargo.”

Sign code changes would also put a limit on sign height and size. Under the new code, signs could only be half as big as they are now. Electronic signs would also see a change. Those would also have size limitations and limits on the use of animation and background effects, based on the sign's location. There's another public input meeting on Thursday at noon in the City Commission Chambers.

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