Ely Looks to Make Sign Ordinances Less Restrictive

Push for New Sign Rules

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Business signs, sandwich boards and other advertisements fill the streets of Ely. 

But, the main drag runs along a state highway which means the Minnesota Department of Transportation regulates the size and location of signs on that road.

Hypothetically speaking if an individual comes to Ely and buys a vacant building they would only be able to put up a temporary sign after getting a permit. 

A proposed new ordinance would mean permits would no longer be required. 

It’s a plan designed to make the town more business friendly. 

“This helps show people what we’ve got to get them to come in,” said employee of Pengal’s Basswood Trading Company, Carol Pengal.

Pengal believes the sign outside their building is what helps attract customers and doesn’t see their sign as a hindrance. 

“The sidewalks are certainly wide enough to house the sign and the people. I would love the law to say you can have them out,” said Pengal.

And, that is exactly what is being proposed. 

“We are trying to keep up with the times,” said Ely’s mayor, Chuck Novak. 

The current ordinance is more than 30-years-old. 

The mayor thinks it’s time to make the rules more fair.

“So, they can keep them up while they are constructing their new facades without having any issues with the city,” said Novak.

City leaders want businesses to be able to advertise for free if they are investing money there. 

“The last thing we want to do is put a restriction on them that doesn’t make sense.” said Novak.

Off-site signage would also be allowed as part of the revised ordinance meaning one business would be able to be advertised on another businesses building. 

But. MnDOT still controls signage on Ely’s main street creating a potential roadblock for changes.

“We don’t want to stir the pot for the sake of stirring the pot.  We want to get something positive here,” said Novak. 

For now, the Planning and Zoning Committee will keep working on proposed changes to the sign ordinance. 

Once an agreement with MnDOT is done, those changes would become possible.