§ 106-214. Signs placed by certain organizations.

(a)

Any nongovernmental organization desiring to place a sign on property owned or operated by the department of parks and parkways shall file a sign permit application on a form supplied by the department. The application shall be filed with the director of the department. Each application shall be reviewed by the department or an administrative committee established therefor as to conformity with the provisions of this section. The department or committee shall render a decision within 30 days of receipt of an application, and the applicant shall be notified in writing of the decision by registered or certified mail. If an application is denied, such correspondence shall list the reasons for denial. In such instances when denial of an application is rendered by the committee, an applicant, within 30 days of the date of denial, may appeal that decision by submitting a written request for a hearing to the director of the department. Such hearing shall be scheduled to occur within 30 days of the filing of an appeal. The director may override the committee decision and grant a permit. Under no circumstances, however, shall any permit be issued for the placement of a sign or signs announcing a residential or commercial development, or providing directions to such a development.

(b)

Only organizations or agencies serving the citizens of the parish which have been granted nonprofit status by the appropriate agencies of the state or the United States governments and are nonpolitical shall be eligible for permits for the permanent placement of signs. Any organization or agency is eligible for temporary permits not to exceed 90 days without the approval of a majority vote of the parkway and park commission. The content of such signs shall be of benefit to the general public by being either directional or informational. There must be a demonstrated need to place the sign on parks and parkway owned or operated property and no other location available for the requested sign. Each application shall be considered on its potential aesthetic and functional impact on the site. All signs shall conform with sign design specifications and regulations concerning location, installation and maintenance as may be established by the parkway and park commission. Design of freestanding temporary signs shall be approved by the superintendent. Nothing contained in this section shall supersede other ordinances or parts of ordinances with respect to the placement of signs, including but not limited to the comprehensive zoning ordinance of the city and requirements to obtain a building permit as contained in the building code of the city.

(c)

Upon approval of an application, the applicant shall pay a processing fee of $50.00 for each sign requested and approved. Should an applicant withdraw a permit request after approval has been granted the fee shall be forfeited. The fee shall be waived for a sign placement of less than seven days provided the sign is freestanding and requires no subgrade post installation.

(d)

An applicant may be directed to remove or relocate a sign in accordance with actions of the parkways and park commission or the city council. Should revocations occur within one year of issuance of a permanent permit, the applicant shall be reimbursed the full processing fee of $50.00; after one year no reimbursement shall be made. Should revocation occur within the period of a temporary permit, reimbursement of the full processing fee shall be made. If a sign is ordered relocated, the applicant shall bear the full cost of removal and reinstallation and the sign shall remain subject to all existing ordinances and regulations.

(e)

Upon adoption of this section, any sign placed prior thereto on parkway and park owned or operated property shall be subject to the provisions of this section, and the commission or administrative committee shall either allow the sign to remain or require that it be removed. Waivers in size and color will be considered if the sign is determined to have no adverse visual impact. Sign owners shall be notified of the committee's determination and allowed 60 days to comply.

(f)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to:

(1)

The placement of a sign which is temporary in nature provided that:

a.

There shall be only one such sign placed, limited to advertising real estate for sale or announcing an open house;

b.

Such sign is displayed no longer than seven hours during any one day; and

c.

The placement of such sign is limited to public property immediately abutting the subject property, except that one additional directional sign may also be placed no more than two intersections away from the advertised property; or

(2)

The placement of signs for garage, moving, or rummage sales, provided that such signs are temporary in nature and are displayed for no longer than 48 hours.

(g)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to public or private utility companies.

(Code 1956, § 43-24.1; M.C.S., Ord. No. 18,382, § 1, 8-21-97; M.C.S., Ord. No. 18,689, §§ 1, 2, 4-16-98)