Thornton looks at new rules to gussy up local business signs - Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel

Those giant inflatable animals and skinny balloons dancing around in the slightest breeze may attract customers to a fast-food spot or car wash.

But they might be banned in Thornton under new rules being proposed by city officials.

Other temporary signs including banners, yard signs and feather flags could also face new regulations as the city looks to gussy up local sidewalks and thoroughfares. Large, temporary signs gyrating on city sidewalks can also be distractions to drivers, according to a city staff report to the city council.

The new provisions are only aimed at temporary business signs and not for private residences. They were presented at a council planning session last week and no official vote was taken.

Council members on Tuesday did agree that banners and inflatables can become unsightly after a lot of use and leave a bad impression.

“I want our city to look nice,” Mayor Jan Kulmann said at last week’s city council planning session.

“Seeing those signs left up forever and forever, it’s not a good look,” Councilmember Kathy Henson added.

At the same time, the city should consider the impact new rules on temporary signs could have on small businesses that depend on inflatables and air dancers to attract paying customers, council members said.

Permits to post yard signs and feather flags may also prove to be too burdensome for some business owners, councilmember Roberta Ayala said.

“This could be harmful for small businesses,” Ayala said. “It could cost more for new businesses just trying to get started.”

Staff members said they would gather more input from business owners before coming back with a proposed ordinance.

For banners – any sign hung made of paper, plastic, vinyl, or fabric used for business advertising – the city could allow them to be displayed either for up to 90 days or four periods of 30 days with 14 days in between. The current code allows them for up to 180 days per year.

Banner size, currently determined by the size of the building they are displayed on, would limited to 400 square feet. However, a permit will not be required to hang a banner, according to a city staff report to the city council.

The city currently allows inflatable and air dancers but those would be banned altogether under the proposed rules. An air dancer is a tube-like device that moves and gyrates when it is inflated, while an inflatable is a large balloon, often in the shape of an animal, used to attract attention.

Inflatables and air dancers are distracting to drivers, deteriorate in weather and are unsightly regardless of condition, the city staff report states.

Thornton now allows one feather flag up to 20 feet tall, yard signs of up to 400 square feet, 90 days per year and a permit is not required. The new regulations would allow one feather flag up to eight feet tall, yard signs up to six feet high and 240 square feet of signs total.

The signs would be allowed to be displayed 90 days per year or four times for 30 days, according to the staff report. A permit is also required for any yard sign and feather flag.

Event signs – including election signs – can now go up to 250 square feet for 90 days per year, while banners and feather flags are allowed. A permit is also required.

The new proposed regulations would allow event signs for properties of less than five acres up to 32 square feet and up to 65 square feet for properties of five acres or larger. They can be displayed 90 days before an event but must be removed within seven days after the event, according to the staff report.

A permit would still be required under the new rules and would be specific to the event, the staff report states.