Board of Aldermen approve code change to ban the use of bed sheets as a banner

Published 7:30 pm Tuesday, February 5, 2019

On January 28, the Board of Aldermen decided it would re-write land development codes pertaining to banners, and about one week later the Aldermen approved those changes.

The Aldermen approved new codes that ban the use of bed sheets as a banner in residential and commercial areas on Tuesday, completing a nearly two-month debate that began in mid December.

These changes were almost tabled, after another code limiting signs to 32 feet was discussed and deemed to large.

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During a recess meeting on January 28th, it was brought up near the end of the banner discussion that bed sheets could be banned in order to help stave homemade banners and regular the kind of material used as a banner.

Banners, according to the existing land development codes, are to be made of material able that is able to withstand weather, while remaining intact and suitable for public display.

Alderman Ulysses Howell brought his own example of a banner with acceptable materials, which was his favorite New Orleans Saints banner.

The discussion revolving banners began in the fall, because of specific banners that were flown during the football season. These banners included vulgar language directed at an opposing football coach.

Along with bed sheets, pennants, spinners, streamers and balloons are also not allowed to be flown as banners in specific residential areas around the city.

The discussion about signs began with Alderman Rick Addy disputing the size of the signs in the updated codes. Addy argued the size was too big, and wanted the board to reconsider the size.

Addy proposed the size should be shrunk to 24 feet instead of 32.

The board pondered tabling the code changes, until it was mentioned the board could approve the current changes, which included banning bed sheets as banners, and re-write the sign codes for a later meeting.

The Aldermen agreed with this, and approved the changes unanimously.