HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/18/2009 Sign BoardMINUTES
CITY OF THE COLONY
SIGN BOARD OF APPEALS
November 18, 2009
After determining that a quorum was present, the Sign Board of Appeals of the City
of The Colony, Texas convened into Regular Session which was held on Wednesday,
November 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in City Hall,
6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, at which time the following items were
addressed:
Board Members Present: Gerald Odum, Chairman; Donna McCright Vice
Chairperson; Aaron Barney, Cesar Molina, and Duane Sanders.
Board Members Absent: Rolando Reyes and Connie Yahwak.
Present from Staff. Wes Morrison, City Planner; Tracey Sherman, Administrative
Assistant; Greg Vick, Interim Assistant City Manager; and Whitt Wyatt, City
Attorney.
1.0 CALL REGULAR SESSION TO ORDER
Chairman Gerald Odum called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
2.0
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
2.1
Receive a report on the current sign ordinance relating to flags or location of the
same and discuss whether or not to make a recommendation to City Council to
amend the sign ordinance regarding flags or the location.
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report.
Board member Molina asked if the residents complaining about the sign ordinance
relating to flags were given violations or notices to remove the flags. Mr. Morrison
stated the notice residents were given is considered a violation.
Vice Chairperson McCright asked why the city would not allow national and state
flags to be attached to a tree or fence. Mr. Morrison stated the Federal Flag Code
Section 2(e) gives a description on the proper way to display the flag.
Interim Assistant City Manager, Greg Vick stated allowing flags to be attached from
fences or trees can cause damage to the flag, as well as attaching the flag from a fence
or tree is considered improper display if it is the national or state flag.
Vice Chairperson McCright asked if staff was following federal guidelines. Mr.
Morrison stated yes.
Chairman Odum asked if the state of Texas has a flag code. Mr. Morrison stated not
that he was aware of.
Board of Adjustment
November 18, 2009
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Board member Sanders stated the city should follow the national etiquette rule.
Board member Molina stated the federal code was broad enough to allow the city to
make judgment calls. He did not see a problem.
Board member Sanders asked were state election signs on fences prohibited. Board
member Molina stated political signs were exempt.
Board member Barney stated as long as the residents followed federal codes and took
care of the flags they should be able to hang the state flag as they choose.
Vice Chairperson McCright asked about school signs. Mr. Morrison stated staff has
agreed to not look at that particular topic.
Vice Chairperson McCright motioned to make a recommendation to City Council to
amend the sign ordinance to allow national and state flags to be mounted on fences
and trees. Board member Barney seconded the motion.
Vice Chairperson McCright withdrew her motion to restate. Board member Barney
withdrew his second.
Vice Chairperson McCright makes a recommendation to City Council to amend the
sign ordinance to allow national and state flags to be flown from private properties
and allow the flags to be mounted on fences and trees. Board member Barney
seconded. The motioned failed (3-2) due to lack of supermajority vote.
Additional discussion followed.
2.2 Discuss and consider changing the regular monthly meeting date.
Mr. Morrison discussed with the Board the option of changing the current monthly
meeting dates.
Board member Sanders motioned to leave the monthly meetings as they were. Vice
Chairman McCright seconded, the motion carried unanimously (5-0).
2.3 Receive an update on changes to the Rules of Procedures for the Advisory
Boards and Commissions.
Mr. Morrison presented the policies and procedures for advisory boards and
commissions.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Board of Adjustment
November 18, 2009
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