[Vision2020] Info Regarding Political Signs

[Dan Carscallen]

Yes, I'm reading this.  While the ordinance is on the books, I'm sure it
was created due to some nuisance in the past.  This is probably also one
of those ordinance violations that is complaint driven.  I don't think
the city staff is patrolling neighborhoods trying to find all the
campaign signs they can to remove before the 60 day "allowance".  If
that was the case the "Obama" sign I've seen on Blaine Street since
early this spring would have been removed.  Someone must have be having
a feud with their neighbor and decided to get the city involved because
of a code violation.
 
I would like to go back and see when this ordinance was put into effect.
The history of it would be interesting.  I would encourage those
interested parties to use the mayor's comment period Monday night to
bring this to light.
 
Thanks
 
DC
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Hovey [mailto:suehovey at moscow.com] 
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 11:49 AM
To: Stephanie Kalasz; v2020; Dan Carscallen
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Info Regarding Political Signs
 
I understand there have to be some limits to the size of a sign and
placement restrictions, and I believe court decisions have indicated
those restrictions to be legal, but help me understand why there are ANY
limits to the number of days during which a sign may be displayed.  I
think this prohibition needs to be reconsidered.  
 
Dan Carscallen, are you reading this?  If so, I think someone on the
council needs to take a look for surely it is a violation of a person's
First Amendment rights to set a time line on freedom of speech.     
 
Are there others out there who might be willing to work to get this
timeline prohibition changed?  I am planning to post a yard sign which
reads, "Support our Troops--Vote Democrat."  I suppose that means I
can't legally place it in my yard until early September. 
 
Sue Hovey
 
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Stephanie <mailto:skalasz at ci.moscow.id.us>  Kalasz 
To: v2020 <mailto:vision2020 at moscow.com>  
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:32 AM
Subject: [Vision2020] Info Regarding Political Signs
 
Moscow City Code prohibits display of political signs until 60 days
prior to the election that the candidate is participating in (not
before).  Signs that are posted currently may be removed.  People can
get signs back if they contact me.  I am posting the relevant portion of
the Code below.
 
Political advertisements may be posted on private property in the City
in accordance with the following restrictions:
       1.  Residential Zoning Districts:  A maximum of six (6) square
feet of total area per sign shall be permitted on private property.
2.  Commercial Zoning Districts:  A maximum of thirty-two (32) square
feet of total area per sign shall be permitted on private property.  A
sign exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet of total area shall comply
with Title 7, Chapter 6, of this Code.
3.  Political advertisements shall not create a public nuisance, a
private nuisance, or a hazard as determined by the City Engineer or
Community Development Director.
4.  Placement, Display and Removal:
            a.         Placement.  All political advertisement shall be
secured to the ground or to a structure so as not to create a hazard.
            b.         Display.  No political advertisement shall be
displayed more than sixty (60) days preceding the first day of election
for the office for which such is an advertisement.
c.         Removal.  All political advertisements shall be removed
within seven (7) days following the day of final election for the office
for which they are advertisements.  If not timely removed, the City may
remove such political advertisements and collect from the candidate or
his or her campaign the cost of such removal.
 
Stephanie Kalasz
Moscow City Clerk
 

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