×

Request for church sign prompts Humboldt to change rule

HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt City Council amended the city’s sign ordinance Tuesday in response to a new sign requested by the local Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.

In October, congregation members spoke at a council meeting, stating that their church, located at 1212 Sumner Ave. S.W.,wanted to install a new sign. However, they were informed that the city’s ordinance would not allow the sign.

The sign would be placed in a grassy area along Sumner Avenue facing north and south traffic. However, the area is zoned for single-family housing. Allowing the sign would require an ordinance amendment, a somewhat lengthy process, church members were told.

“This may take some time for us to figure exactly how we are going to be able to do it,” City Administrator Travis Goedken said then.

On Tuesday, the council approved the third and final reading of an amendment to the city sign regulations which will allow the sign, not only for the church, but for similar signs in the community. The amendment allows electronic message displays without flashing. The council had received no comments on the sign since the first reading.

The amendment created an additional category of sign called an electronic message center.

“It says in that definition that it is not a flashing sign,” Goedken said.

In studying the sign ordinance it was discovered that the LED digital display boards used by several businesses were actually prohibited.

Flashing signs on poles remain prohibited in the city.

“It’s a pretty looking sign,” Councilman Joel Goodell said of the church sign. Maybe the council didn’t think the sign ordinance through enough originally, he said. He wondered why the city was limiting businesses or churches from advertising.

Many times the decision boils down to whether it is the type and style of sign the community wanted to see or not, Goedken said.

Councilman John Sleiter said that the time the city has the ordinance because people didn’t want to see any more flashing signs along Iowa Highway 3.

Goodell said the sign would not be flashing, but would have scrolling messages.

Congregation members said the sign would be important for communication not only with church members but with the community as well. It would be an evangelizing tool and community events would also be posted.

“Our intent is to advertise for us and the community” church member Janell Lowe said.

It is a high quality scrolling sign with 16 revolutions.

“We will be able to show two faces on that sign,” Lowe said.

Congregation members and community members had worked for three years to raise money for the sign.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today