During a public hearing at Monday’s regular city council meeting in Gulf Shores, the council voted unanimously to amend the zoning ordinance related to signs located within the city.

Originally presented to the council in May to go into the code of ordinances, the amendment, which makes it part of the zoning ordinance, is basically a rewrite of the city’s existing sign ordinance with only slight modifications.

“Basically we are keeping the sign ordinance exactly as it has been,” said Andy Bauer, Director of Planning and Zoning for the city. “The major changes are changing the digital signs from changing once every three minutes, to once every 45 seconds, with the caveat that every year, the city council can review that change to see if it is appropriate as technology changes. The other main change is regarding temporary signs and banners.”

Banners

Presently, banners and temporary signs can only be used for business grand openings, closings and charitable events. A store having a sale would not be allowed these type signs.

According to Bauer, changes being made to the ordinance would allow a business to use a temporary banner or sign for up to 14 days out of the years.

“Businesses can pick and choose which days they want to use the signs and city staff will keep track of how long a business has used them, and when their allotment of days have been used up, that will be it for the year.”