Staff seeks clarity on tall signs, flags and temporary/political signage

Planning staff told the commission that the code did not clearly say whether freestanding signs taller than 20 feet are allowed in Newberg outside the C-3 downtown zone and proposed clarifying language. The draft would ban signs taller than 20 feet except where the code specifically allows larger signs — an example is sites of 10 acres or larger where up to 30 feet may be permitted under conditions.
Staff explained that signage questions arose after a resident asked about flagpoles (staff noted that flags are defined as a type of sign in the city code) and after some large signs were observed on commercial frontage. Commissioners asked about political signs and temporary displays; staff said they would check existing temporary-sign allowances and noted that political sign regulation had been substantially revised in recent years. The city will include clarified sign-height language in the public hearing draft and staff will research temporary-sign and political-sign rules to report back.