Southwest Missouri News-Branson

by Carol Harris, Branson area, and Mary Engler-Guccione, Joplin area

The city of Branson's Sign Code Review Committee will hold a public hearing and informational meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at Branson City Hall.

Don Stephens, Branson's planning and development director, said the hearing will give businesses and residents the opportunity to express their concerns and ideas concerning the proposed code.

Currently, signs are required to be 10 to 15 feet from the property line. Under the proposed code, the signs must be set back the full 15 feet from the property line and 5 feet from any other property line. Stephens said existing signs will be grandfathered in under the proposed code, and sign faces can be changed as long as the height, size or placement is not altered.

Under the proposed code, the sign size will be defined by one of three location zones.

Zone 1 is commercial property with frontage directly abutting Highway 76 between Fall Creek Road and Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, as well as commercial lots abutting Shepherd of the Hills Expressway between Highway 76 and Roark Valley Road.

Zone 2 will include commercial property with frontage abutting Gretna Road between Highway 76 and Roark Valley Road, between Highway 76 and the south city limits, and commercial lots abutting Highway 76 from U.S. 65 west to Fall Creek Road.

Zone 3 includes commercial lots in downtown Branson.

According to Stephens, "The purpose of the sign code is to ensure that we have compatible signs throughout the city. Also, to assist in preserving and protecting the existing residential neighborhoods."

Information from the hearing will be passed on to the Branson Planning and Zoning Commission, which will meet in a special session at 7 p.m. Feb. 24. The commission will make a formal recommendation on the proposed sign code to Branson's Board of Aldermen.

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