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Show Layton Council denies special sign district By DONETA GATHERUM LAYTON Despite the fact that he conformed to city regulations, reg-ulations, the request by Richard Wallace, a Layton resident who wanted a large sign in front of his home business, was denied by the Layton Ci'y Council by a vote of three to two. This interesting application of the workings of city government govern-ment started when Mr. Wallace, a Sunrider Products distributor was cited by the Layton City Code Enforcement officer for failing to obtain a home occupation business license and erecting erect-ing a sign that does not conform to the recently adopted Layton City sign ordinance. Mr. Wallace's sign is five by eight feet. The ordinance allows only a four foot square home occupation sign. Desiring to keep his larger sign, Mr. Wallace appealed the citation. He was told that the ordinance allowed the creation of a special sign district, an area that is not defined in size. Mr. Wallace proceeded to follow the steps or "jump through all the hoops," as Mayor Richard McKenzie stated, to set up the creation of this special sign district. He obtained 60 percent of the signatures of property owners in the vicinity stating they did not object to the sign. He petitioned for a public hearing before the city council. No one objected to Mr. Wallace's sign at the public hearing although there were some questions asked. Thell Day, speaking in favor of Mr. Wallace's request, noted the Wallace home is located on Hill Field Road, a heavily traveled area, primarily commercial street. "There are 27 large signs along Hill Field Road. What difference would one more make. We are not talking about a little traveled, residential area," Mr. Day pointed out to the city council. Councilman Bob Stevenson said he agreed with Mr. Day's assessment of the situation but that he strongly felt it was unwise to establish a special sign district in any residential area, anywhere. "I don't think the city should set this kind of a precedent," Councilman Stevenson said. Councilman Kent Smith argued the other side of the issue. "This is a special situation. A sign would benefit Mr. Wallace and it wouldn't damage anyone else," he claimed. Mr. Day asked "If you can't approve a sign district here (on Hill Field Road) where could you have a district? Why have this part of the ordinance if you are never going to allow it to happen?" r In the end, the council members against the district out- f. weighed those who supported Mr. Wallace. The proposition to J create a special sign district lost by a vote of three to two. j In explaining the need for a special sign district provision in i the city's ordinance, Community Development Director Scott : Carter noted this provision was intended to service special i sections of the city that might want to create a "theme" effect ' by having uniform style signs. This would apply to a Main Street I area like the one in Park City or to special shopping centers. "It was never intended that a sign district should be created in a residential setting. We will need to rework the ordinance," Mr. Carter said. r f IHJIilLl.ll""- lil.m..L,i...u...uli.tri i....n mr-r . |