The Globe City Council unanimously amended Chapter 14 of the City zoning code, but not before a lengthy discussion ensued.

The city’s planning and zoning commission met on Nov. 15 to discuss the proposed changes to the zoning code.

The commission discussed several additions and made recommendations to pass on to the council.

The additions were as follows:

The area of Globe zoned TR (Transitional Residential), that also has an overlay zone for manufactured homes, be allowed to have horses, provided that the property is one acre or larger, using R1-43 regulations for the number of horses allowed per acre, which is two horses per acre.

Change subsection 1-b of section 14-5-6 Recreational Vehicle District to one year and not the proposed three years.

Signs mounted on the roof are allowable, provided that they are properly engineered and adhere to height restrictions.

The commission also recommended continuing the ban on billboards.

At the Nov. 27 meeting, Globe Director of Development Services Chris Collopy said that he was bringing the planning commission recommendations to the council for its consideration.

Council discussion revolved around changes council members wanted to see to the commission’s recommendations.

As to requirements on signs, Councilwoman Charlene Giles said that the Blondie’s sign in downtown is above the parapet and looks good.

She pointed out that, according to the new proposed code, it would be illegal, to which Globe Zoning Administrator Chris Collopy replied that it would be grandfathered in.

As to signs that might be mounted on the roof in the future, Collopy said they would be allowed if properly engineered.

On the subject of painting brick buildings, Giles said that business owners should be allowed to paint their own buildings if they wish.

Referring to brick buildings in downtown, Mayor Al Gameros said there are different codes for historic downtown.

He went on to say that he has no issue with painting cinderblock, cement, or buildings constructed with other similar materials.

Giles said that she did not want to be a part of telling an individual whether or not they can paint their own building.

“Yes, we have to be safe, but where do we cross the line?” she said. “And who decides?”

“We have bigger fish to fry,” Giles added.

Councilman Mike Humphrey agreed, calling the painting of a building the owner’s choice.

Council discussion then turned to painting signs directly on buildings.

When Councilman Freddy Rios asked who decides, Collopy reminded the council that signs require a permit.

“So, city staff makes the decision?” Rios asked.

City Manager Paul Jepson replied, “We can’t discriminate against art work. We’re not going to judge whether we like the colors or don’t like the colors. The Constitution and the Supreme Court have brought us there.”

Council members expressed concern that this portion of the proposed code was not business friendly.

Globe sign code states that a business logo cannot occupy more than 25-percent of the “maximum allowable sign face area.”

Earlier in the meeting, Collopy pointed to a projection screen on one wall of the council chambers, saying that the screen takes up 25-percent of the wall.

“That’s a pretty big area of a building,” he said.

An audience member pointed out that the sign of Jammerz Bar “is the whole wall.”

“Would Jammerz no longer be compliant?” he said.

Rios replied that the 25-percent refers to the business name only, and Collopy added, “It would only be the word ‘Jammerz,’ not the artwork.”

“We’re trying to be as business friendly as possible,” Jepson said.

The council then discussed allowing horses on certain properties in the city.

Collopy said that in R1-43 zoning, two horses per acre are allowed, and that the city’s property maintenance codes require owners to keep it clean.

Ultimately, the council voted to approve the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations, except to allow signs directly painted on walls, but not more than 25 percent of the wall.