Portable sidewalk signs could eventually be replaced with permanent sign kiosks in downtown Hailey. Until that day, the city will try to regulate the number and location of portable signs, minus the balloons.
The Hailey City Council is addressing the abundance of portable "sandwich board" signs as it considers amendments to the city's sign ordinance. Many of the signs on Main Street sidewalks are used to direct passersby to businesses off Main Street.
Planner Mariel Platt said Monday that 19 of 29 permitted portable signs on Main Street in Hailey advertise businesses off Main Street.
"We had four new requests for portable signs last month," Platt said.
Platt relayed a memo from the Public Works Department calling for a prohibition on balloons on street corners, saying they pose a visual hazard for motorists.
The city allows two portable signs per street corner on a first-come, first-served basis. But the balloons may soon have to go.
The council, despite voicing support for balloons in general last week, voted Monday to allow them only if they are attached to a building.
The council instructed staff to work with the Hailey Chamber of Commerce and the South Valley Merchants Alliance in drawing up regulations for permitting portable signs, possibly establishing a waiting list for those wanting to target passersby form street corners.
"Maybe we can use our membership as a tool to form a consensus," said Hailey Chamber Chair Krista Gehrke.
The council identified the long-term goal of building permanent sign kiosks on Main Street, including "way-finding" signs to help pedestrians navigate the downtown.
"I think this is brilliant," Planning Director Beth Robrahn said.
Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com
The city of Hailey is set to prohibit balloons from portable signs on Main Street in Hailey.
Photo by David N. Seelig
