Warsaw considering ordinance to change how businesses can advertise

WARSAW, Ind. (WANE) - As businesses look for new ways to use advertising to attract customers, one Indiana town wants to change what businesses can use.  Warsaw has proposed a new sign ordinance that would change the rules to how businesses advertise. 

On Tuesday night, the group Kosciusko Silent No More spoke with Skinner about the current ordinance and the proposed changes to it. 

"We wanted to learn more about the ordinance" Monica Boyer, the president of the group, said. "So we could ask our questions."

Skinner said the new ordinance made it more it more clear what would be considered a temporary sign, and what would be called a permanent sign.  He added there were very little change to how amount of

In the proposed ordinance, the city says it wants to accomplish the following:

• To cause the business use of signage to be consistent with the public convenience and welfare.
• To maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the city's ability to attract sources of economic development.
• To improve pedestrian and traffic safety.
• To minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property.
• To enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign restrictions.

According to Skinner, the city's current sign ordinance is confusing. 

"It's hard for sign companies and business owners to understand what they can and can't do," Skinner said. "We hope to eliminate a lot of that confusion and allow them a little more flexibility in what they can do as opposed to what they currently can't do."

However, some people in the town are still unsure about what signs would and wouldn't be allowed.

Skinner was shown a handful of pictures, some of them he said would be allowed, but others would not.  Some he said would be allowed under certain conditions. 

The Kosciusko Silent No More leader thinks the city should change the ordinance to give more businesses more advertising options.

Under the current law, businesses are not supposed to have employees advertising from a city sidewalk.

"I don't even want to think about all the issues that could happen," Skinner said, referencing the dangers of advertising near a busy street.

Boyer disagreed.

"We asked the question tonight, have there ever been any accidents, he said no." Boyer told NewsChannel 15. "He said [the city] just wants to protect, but it's not their job to protect.  That's the business' job."

Overall, the city has 27 definitions for the various types of signs.  Boyer felt that was too much.

"To make it more understanding, you need to start hitting the delete button" said Boyer. "If you don't understand it right now that means there is too many regulations."

Boyer said Kosciusko Silent No More was the original tea party for the county. 

"We believe in small government principles," she said.  "We have a lot of concerns about how big government is creeping into our lives and businesses."

At the meeting, Skinner encouraged the 30 people in attendance to express their concerns about the ordinance at the next Warsaw Plan Commission meeting.  It is scheduled for Monday, July 9 at 7 p.m.  It will take place at the Council Chambers at City Hall.

It is unclear when the city council will vote on the sign ordinance.