Homewood committee carries over proposal to shift sign reviews to Board of Zoning Adjustments

The Homewood City Special Issues Committee on April 29 debated a proposal (item 180424) to transfer responsibility for future sign reviews to the Board of Zoning Adjustments. One committee member argued the committee spends “a ton of time” on tactical sign decisions that could be handled administratively by the BZA; another member and staff cautioned that the change would require amending the zoning ordinance and follow-up work with the planning commission and stakeholders.

Committee members said they want to involve Councilor Aleman, planning commission members and local industry representatives in a working group to draft any ordinance changes. The committee chair said she would carry the item over to the next meeting so more members could participate and so staff could outline the formal steps, including required public hearings and timeline for zoning-ordinance amendments.

Why it matters: Moving sign-review authority would change where applicants seek variances and could speed or slow approvals depending on the process design. Committee members framed the debate as one about effectiveness and workload balance: whether sign requests should remain a committee-level review or be handled by the BZA under the zoning ordinance.

The committee did not vote to change policy; the item was carried over for future discussion and ordinance drafting.