City council looks at flags on The Murfreesboro Post

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Posted: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 11:07 am

Local homeowners may have an easier time erecting flagpoles in their yards, if the Murfreesboro City Council approves changes to the sign ordinance.

Currently, homeowners are required to get a permit from the city to erect a flagpole in their yards. But Murfreesboro’s Building and Codes Department recommended removing the requirement to make it easier for flags to fly at personal residences.

“The codes department believes that requiring a permit for these residential flagpoles is not serving a useful purpose,” said Gary Whitaker, building and codes director. “These flagpoles would continue to be regulated – as to height, power lines and (right of way) and such – but would be exempted from the permit requirements.”

The city council will consider the change to the sign ordinance at its weekly meeting Thursday night.

In 2007, the council unanimously approved amendments to the sign ordinance pertaining to flags, which came under fire after a local business owner was required to remove a large flag that violated the city’s ordinance.

In response to public outcry, the city reviewed the sign ordinance and developed recommendations to increase flag size and pole height. The amendment increased the height requirement, limited the number of flags allowed per lot and increased the maximum flag size in commercial zones.

According to the amendment, no permits are required for flying a flag, however a permit is required for flagpoles. To be approved, poles must be erected at least eight feet from power lines and 20 feet from road right-of-ways and comply with the height and size requirements.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.

Tagged under CITY

Member Opinions:

By: ItsGood on 2/4/09
Good move City of Murfreesboro.
If the City Attorney had gone after the "safety issue" instead of the American Flag being a "sign" she would have saved some headaches for the Council.

By: tnwolf1762 on 2/6/09
This is the "RIGHT THING" to do!