Houghton is considering amending the city’s sign ordinance within zoning enforcement.
At the July planning commission meeting, the board moved Chapter 98 amendments to the city council following a lengthy discussion over language used to enforce temporary signage.
Councilor Craig Waddell, who sits on the planning commission alongside Mayor Bubba Megowen to represent the council, expressed concern the language could violate First Amendment court precedent. Language related to how long temporary signage could remain in place could constrain an individual’s First Amendment right to free speech, particularly in the case of signage related to political campaigns.
City Manager Eric Waara shared that after speaking with the city’s attorney, allowing a reasonable amount of time for signage to stay up would allow the city to properly enforce temporary signage.
Planning commission member Ben Ciavola suggested Houghton use the definition “Temporary signage means a sign that is not permanently embedded in the ground” and remove a parenthetical that included political signs. This avoids specifying the type of content a temporary sign includes.
The amendment will allow temporary signage to remain for 100 days prior to any event and must be removed within 10 days following the event.
Houghton will set a public hearing at the city council meeting in August to consider the Chapter 98 amendments. Find more details on the city of Houghton website.
