Sign compromise

The Baker City Council struck a good balance with the new sign ordinance.

First, councilors paid attention to people who complained about the original version of the ordinance because it banned new LED signs, which are becoming more popular.

The version councilors endorsed Tuesday allows such signs, but puts reasonable restrictions on them. For instance, the message on LED signs can’t change more often than every five seconds. That prevents signs from becoming constantly flashing eyesores and distractions.

Second, the ordinance prohibits people from posting temporary signs, such as those advertising garage sales, on utility poles or traffic signposts.

But residents can staple such signs to wooden posts and place the posts in the street right-of-way.

That’s a fair compromise.

Utility poles are convenient places to post signs, but they don’t belong the public.

However, a lot of people like to go to garage sales, and signs help them find the sales.

We would, though, make one request: When your sale’s over, please take the signs down.