Noreen Hyslop photo Under the new rule, this sign would be in compliance because it is past the sidewalk.

In a unanimous vote by the committee, members voted to uphold the city's ordinance prohibiting signs on the city right of way, but altering the means of locating the right of way.

At the advice of City Attorney Yewell 'Bud' Lawrence, the committee determined that the best route to take would be to simply set a standard that would be easy for everyone to follow and then inform all of the parties involved.

Very little will change from how the ordinance is enforced already.

Currently, anyone wishing to place a sign on his or her own property have to measure 25-feet from the center of the roadway in an effort to stay off of the city's right of way.

Under the new proposal, that standard will establish a new 'general rule' of 10-feet off the edge of the pavement.

"We would just assume [10-feet from the pavement] is not on the city right of way," Lawrence said. "If they believe the right of way to be smaller, then they can still measure from the center of the road."

The old standard of measuring 25-feet of the center of the roadway, will be left in place as a "safe harbor" for anyone who is unsure of whether they are on the right of way.

"As a practical matter, if a sign is at least 10 feet from the edge of the pavement or inside a sidewalk, we should acknowledge this as a "good faith effort" to be off the right-of-way and will customarily not pursue legal action," Aslin said. "This applies to both Real Estate and Yard Sale signs."

Concern was raised about some older areas of town with smaller right of ways would end up having to place signs right against the houses.

"I think this process will cover it at least 80-90 percent of the time," said committee chairman Tim Aslin. "This is only changing the point of measurement. Nothing more."

This change does not mean people will suddenly be able to stick yard sale signs back out all over town.

Under this proposal, all signs in residential districts will adhere to the same standards. Signs still must be moved within 48-hours of the event posted.

Sign posters will also have to obtain landowner permission before placing a sign in someone else's yard.

Local real estate agent and committee member Linda Collier said she's satisfied with the new change.

"We didn't want this to be just about us," Collier said. "We just wanted to be able to put our signs up and to know what's legal. Like I've said all along, when we have our signs up, there are many businesses right here in Dexter making money off of that sale."

Alderman Rick Hux was also pleased with the decision.

"This is an easier way for [real estate agents] to measure the distance without having to get out in the middle of the road," Hux said.

Police chief Paul Haubold wasn't so happy about the decision.

"The real estate companies are going to pick up their signs because they cost them money, but what about the yard sale signs people will be leaving all over," he asked. Haubold was concerned that there was also no provision for how long a sign advertising a business, not an event, could be left up before removal.

Aslin and Hux both acknowledged the problem, but felt that it was out of the scope of what this particular committee was appointed to study.

The measure will still have to go before the Board of Aldermen at next Monday's meeting, but little or no opposition is expected.

cnoles@dailystatesman.com