City council passes ordinance regarding signs, billboards

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

Mt. Pleasant?s City Council had one of those routine meetings Wednesday ? nothing major or controversial.

Council members took care of two old-business items and a pair of new-business matters.

New language in the city?s ordinance on signs and billboards, in this case electronic signage, will be effective upon publication in the Mt. Pleasant News.

City leaders passed the third reading and adopted the ordinance Wednesday.

The new language is as follows. In residential zoning districts, electronic message signs are prohibited unless associated with a permitted use that is non-residential. The signs are not permitted for a home business. When located near a residential district, the sign must be a minimum of 100 feet from an adjoining lot used and/or zoned for residential purposes.

Regarding signage in multi-family zoning districts, signs are prohibited unless associated with a permitted use that is non-residential. Again, signs are not permitted for a home business and must be a minimum of 100 feet from an adjoining lot used and/or zoned for residential purposes.

City officials were granted permission to purchase real estate at 306 S. Adams St. The lot and house are located across the street east from the Henry County Sheriff?s Office.

Vacant for a number of years, the property is now owned by a mortgage company and the city will offer the company $5,000 for the property.

Although the city plans to demolish the house at this point, some on the council wondered if the house could be rehabilitated into a livable residence.

City Administrator Brent Schleisman noted that the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) has a program with available housing rehabilitation funds. ?We won?t demolish it if it is usable,? Schleisman said.

Mayor Steve Brimhall, noting the house?s location, said the county sheriff?s office may have interest in the lot if the house is demolished. ?I think it would be logical for the sheriff?s department to own it some day. I think it would be a great deal for them.?

In other business, Jack Swarm, city planning and zoning administrator, said city staff, in conjunction with SEIRPC, is working on a new city comprehensive plan. The last plan was adopted in 2000 and a new plan is written every 15 years.

Swarm said data will be collected until about January and then work will begin on writing the plan.

?I think you are going to get a good product,? Schleisman said. ?Residents will be given plenty of opportunity for feedback. This is an important deal, and I hope people realize their input will be included.?

A city?s comprehensive plan primarily deals with zoning and planning where future expansion should occur.

Moving to new business, the council passed the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting parking on the east side of the 800 and 900 blocks of North College Street.

The ordinance comes as the result of a complaint to the city regarding access to driveways on the streets. ?We received a request from a resident to restrict parking because there are some issues with residents getting in and out of their driveways,? Schleisman explained.

In other action, the council:

? Set Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. as the deadline for receiving bids for farming 75 acres of land that borders the municipal airport. The bid will be awarded at the council meeting later that day.

? Was told by Police Chief Ron Archer that the city?s deer management season is now open. The program permits the bow hunting of deer in the city limits providing certain conditions are met. This is the third year of the program. Rules and regulations are available at the Mt. Pleasant Police Department and hunters must acquire a deer-hunting license to participate.

Council members meet again in regular session Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.