City too restrictive on political signs
Published 3:23 pm Tuesday, April 5, 2005
By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac Planning Commission took the first step Monday night toward easing city restrictions on political signs.
An amendment to the zoning code dealing with political signs surfaced on planners' agenda and advances to City Council's April 11 agenda for first reading.
This proposed amendment results from a series of court cases relating to the extent that local governments can regulate political signs.
Revised regulations come recommended by city planning consultant Langworthy, Strader, LeBlanc and Associates to comply with new case law.
Under the new ordinance Dowagiac can no longer limit the number of political signs in a yard.
Nor can the city decree the amount of time signs can be placed in a yard prior to an election.
The city will, however, still regulate the size of the signs (six square feet) and when they must be removed after an election (within 14 days).
Planners heard no comment at three public hearings during a six-minute April 4 meeting at City Hall.
A second hearing concerned the City of Dowagiac's request for a special land-use permit (known as conditional use permits before the zoning code revision) at 119 S. Front St., 128 S. Front St. and 137 S. Front St. allowing second-floor apartments.
Apartments are part of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) grant recently awarded to the city.
There will be eight apartments, including five above Majerek's, another above Saylor's Pizzeria and two above Round Oak Restaurant.
A third hearing involved a stand-alone subdivision control ordinance.
Presently, city code does not adequately address this issue, nor is it in complete conformance with state requirements, according to Building Official James Bradford.
During the recent zoning code revision, Langworthy, Strader, LeBlanc and Associates provided a 13-page ordinance to fully address new requirements.
Present were Chairman Robert Frontczak, Mayor Donald D. Lyons, Larry Bennett, Edward Booth, Sandra Hoger and Councilman Leon Laylin.
Vice Chairman Dale Hutchings, Councilman Darron Murray and Guy Piper were absent.