Belleville planners set public hearing July 14 on new sign ordinance

The Belleville Planning Commission has been working on details of the city Sign Ordinance for months and now it’s ready for a public hearing.
At its regular meeting June 9, the commission voted unanimously to accept the ordinance as stated and set a public hearing for its next meeting, 7:30 p.m., July 14.
“We’ve spent quite a bit of time on this,” said Commission Chairman Steve Jones.
The commissioners said they were comfortable with the 14-pages of definitions and sign standards and so they took the next step and set the hearing.
Building Official Rick Rutherford said he was satisfied with the changes, especially on incidental signs and window coverage of 35% allowed.
The latest changes in Definitions, made with the help of planning consultant Steve Cassin from clearzoning, included additional language for location of signage, definition of “building frontage,” and additional language regarding window signs and incidental signs.
Under Site Standards there was new language for location of signage, new language regarding temporary signage, signage in residential zoning districts, temporary special purpose signs, and window signs.
Commissioner Jesse Marcotte asked about signs on fences on the lake. If they were over the 655’ line, could the city enforce them?
Van Buren Township owns lakeshore under 655’.
City Manager Diana Kollmeyer said signs would be beyond the 655’ foot line if they are in windows, like Hayward’s and Johnny’s. Those in fences might not be.
During comments at the end of the 45-minute meeting, Rutherford was asked about grass cutting regulations, since grass is getting high in several locations.
He said, first, grass has to hit eight inches in height before he sends a letter and then the property owner is given 10 days to cut it, or the city does it and puts it on their taxes. He said this is set by ordinance.
Commissioner John Juriga said Rutherford gets an “A” for what he’s doing for the city, just like when Juriga was his teacher and Rutherford was his student at Romulus High School.