They’re still talking about changing the City of Burlington’s sign code in order to keep a sign at the renovated Bracewell stadium within code.
The first reading approval of a measure to allow sponsored signs with no other requirements passed 4-1 during a Monday night city council meeting.
City Councilman Bob Fleming expressed concern that changing the sign code would lead to a huge number of billboards popping up all over town, especially on school property.
“I think it just sets a poor precedent,” said Fleming, “I can just see it happening after we approve this. Someone will give some money to Sunnyside Elementary and want to put their sign up…I’m very high on the program. If they want to honor someone who gave I think that’s great but there are many ways to do that.”
It will need to be approved at least one more time before becoming law. Councilman Jim Davidson says he approved the measure to keep the conversation going.
The sign on the Bracewell property bears an advertisement for Universal Therapy. It was originally not supposed to have a permanent advertisement, but it was added as the result of a design change mid-project. The City Council also voted to change the zone from R-4 Residential to C-1 Commercial to allow Billboards on the Property.
Officials are looking in to adding a variance to the existing sign code as well, to grant a one-time exemption to the signage rules.
