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MARIETTA -- Two committees of Marietta City Council met in a joint session Wednesday over legislative planning for 2020.
The Planning and Zoning and Streets committees to discuss downtown businesses and rights to add signage above the city sidewalks in the C4 commercial district.
The C4 encompasses on the eastern side of the Muskingum River:
* Both the east and west sides of Post Street,
* Both the east and west sides of Front Street from Greene to Putnam,
* Front Street's eastern side from Putnam to Scammel.
* Scammel Street's southern side from Front to Fourth.
* The majority of the western side of Fourth Street from Scammel to Ohio Street, excluding the Marietta College band rehearsal building and adjoining college properties.
The C4 also encompasses the businesses from the northeastern corner of Maple Street and Franklin Street to the Crystal Spring Water Property, running parallel to Putnam Avenue to Gilman, then including the entire triangle block of Gilman/Maple/Fort.
South of Maple Street the district also includes the laborer's union building on the western side of Gilman Avenue and all of the Historic Harmar Bridge Company property north to Maple Street.
"When I said I was here to brainstorm I meant it, I'm not saying I have answers but that we need to discuss possible outcomes," said Councilwoman Susan Boyer, chairwoman of Streets Committee, as the group gathered discussed needed considerations including:
* Pedestrian safety.
* Passing vehicle safety.
* Assignment of liability.
With a general consensus for further debate, those in the room, including planning and zoning Chairman Geoff Schenkel, Second Ward Councilman Mike McCauley, Councilwoman at-large Cassidi Shoaf and Councilman-elect Bill Farnsworth agreed to consider the allowance of business signs perpendicular to building faces throughout the C4 district.
Schenkel advocated for the measure to require businesses contract with a structural engineer to ensure pedestrian safety below any perpendicular sign.
Shoaf and Boyer looked to further research on clearance and overall height guidance.
And both Boyer and Schenkel agreed to also regulate both the brightness (lumens), timing and general area a new business sign will be required to comply with.
"We may also need to look into how to prevent sign wars from competing neighbors," added Schenkel.
Janelle Patterson can be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.