They say a business without a sign is a sign of no business. But too many signs, and too many garish ones in particular, can change the character of a town.
The Hailey Planning Department is taking steps to keep Hailey free of the visual clutter seen on many main drags in Idaho by amending the city's sign ordinance.
In the process, the City Council is finding out, as it did while considering a "junk ordinance" last summer, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
"We are in the business of helping businesses get good signage," said Planning Director Beth Robrahn at a council meeting last week while presenting a draft of the new ordinance.
Robrahn and planner Mariel Platt presented the council with photographs comparing roadside signs on commercial strips such as Blue Lakes Boulevard in Twin Falls with quaint village signage like that in parts of Ketchum.
Robrahn and Platt managed to not use the word "tasteful" in their comparisons, relying instead on "effective" to describe what they would like to see in Hailey. But the implications are clear.
The proposed amendments would require a master plan for multi-unit business buildings, with no more than one sign on a building façade. Signs advertising businesses outside of the city of Hailey would be prohibited.
The amendments would also provide design guidelines to give a general idea of what types of signs are preferred in Hailey.
Art signs, historic signs and temporary signs would be allowed under the new ordinance, as would portable "sandwich board" signs, which have become quite popular in recent years with the Hailey business community.
Only two sandwich board signs would be allowed per corner under the new ordinance. They would be permitted annually on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Planning Department advised the council to prohibit tying balloons on the sandwich boards signs to draw attention. The council disagreed unanimously.
"I have no problem with balloons," said Councilwoman Carol Brown.
"I like balloons too," said Councilman Fritz Haemmerle.
City Engineer Tom Hellen said he is concerned that balloons on street corners could create a visual hazard for drivers.
Hellen will research the issue to see if balloons on street corners can be prohibited for safety reasons.
The council will take up further discussion of the proposed sign ordinance amendments on Monday, March 8, at 5:30 p.m.
Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com
