Sign ordinance under review

There’s nothing more important to a retail business than its sign.  A good sign can signal what business is present, what type of products they offer and can bring customers into the shop.

A bad sign is a death warrant.

For two decades, the City of Lacey has had the most restrictive sign ordinance  in the county and one of the most restrictive sign ordinances in the entire country.

But local officials, concerned about the impact of the poor economic climate on Lacey businesses, are starting to take a second look at the sign ordinance. 

They aren’t looking at touching permanent signs, but are concerning themselves with temporary signage, like sandwich boards and banners.  Some members of the Lacey Council want to loosen up the ordinance regarding such signs.  That effort is being led by Lacey Mayor Graeme Sackrison.

He wants to allow some flexibility on a temporary basis.

Lacey City Manager Greg Cuoio is concerned that once a temporary waiver is given, it will be difficult to reverse the decision.  Cuoio is asking support from the Lacey Chamber of Commerce to back temporary restrictions on sandwich board signs and to back the City when it comes time to reinstate the more restrictive ordinance.

Currently city staff and the city attorney are looking at the proposal to allow more flexibility in the use of sandwich boards for a limited time.