Hebron Estates looks at signs, business licenses | Pioneer News

HEBRON ESTATES – There was a lot of discussion on the future of the sign permit ordinance in one northern Bullitt County city.

But at the end of the talk, the Hebron Estates City Commission may not make a lot of changes to its existing sign ordinance.

City attorney Mark Edison presented the first reading of the revised ordinance which had minor changes from the current version.

The one point of discussion was how the commission wanted to deal with those who violate the sign ordinance.

The current range of $15-$100 per day remained intact.

Hebron Estates has very strict enforcement of its sign ordinance. The application must be made to city hall and mayor Jerry Clark will look at the request. While Clark or the city clerk can give a temporary approval, the city commission would ultimately make the decision.

Plans must be filed with the application. Most business-related operations when any signage is involved would require a permit.

No signs would be allowed in the right-of-way or on utility poles.

For temporary signs, it could be displayed 30 days prior to an event but must be taken down seven days following. Political signs do not require a permit but can be on display 30 days prior and seven days after election day.

Signs cannot be in a state of disrepair. If a sign is altered, a new permit would be required.

For stores, signage cannot block windows or doors, which Hillview police chief Bill Mahoney is needed to make sure officers can see inside the business.

The fees would be $35 for the application and an added fee for reviewing the request. If there is an electrical inspection required, that would be another $200 fee. If the business owner just needed to re-letter an existing sign, the fee would be $35.

At the August meeting, the council approved a sign permit for A+ Pet Grooming, which is operating on Burkland Boulevard.

Edison was also instructed to write a letter to a local convenience store to remove advertising signs on the door and front window.

In other business:

*The commission approved the 2023-24 audit.

Edison said it was a clean audit with the lone issue being the same most smaller cities will receive – separation of duties.

Having only a clerk and an assistant clerk, Edison said there is no way to meet the auditing standards for the separation of duties. That is, unless the city wants to hire additional staff.

*Commissioners discussed what to do with those who violate the city’s business license requirements.

Currently, business owners who don’t obtain the required license could be fined from $25-$100 per day.

Clark said that the commissioners could leave the fines at the discretion of the code enforcement officer. Angie Hurst, who serves in that role for Hillview, has recently been contracted to deal with code enforcement issues in Hebron Estates.

Typically, Hillview police chief Bill Mahoney said that Hurst would give the property owner a warning for any violation. If the issue is not resolved in a matter of time, she would issue fines.

Commission Bob Denner said he would like to leave the fines at the same level and let Hurst decide how much to charge.

The next meeting of the Hebron Estates City Commission will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the community center. The public is invited to attend.