The Adel City Council spent a great deal of time during their most recent meeting to address the issue of large pole signs being installed around the City.

Councilmember Rob Christensen voiced a concern about a new sign at Casey’s General Store which he felt was unnecessarily large. Christensen proposed placing a moratorium on pole signs and signs of a certain height on all new construction. Many other cities in the Des Moines metro area have placed similar restrictions on signage, most preferring shorter monument signs. Christensen argued that the pole signs detracted from the City’s overall aesthetic, and worried that with no regulations the signs would only continue to get bigger.

The Council unanimously approved the moratorium, though Councilmember Bob Ockerman warned that potential new businesses could be turned off by the restrictions and may elect to build in another city. The next step is to bring the issue before the Planning and Zoning Commission during their meeting next month. After that, the Council would consider amending an ordinance to restrict signage options in Adel.