LITTLE ROCK — Mayor Patrick Hays dropped a proposal Monday to legislate behavior along North Little Rock public right-of-ways because he said it had become too divisive an issue.
Another controversial proposal to extend a moratorium on issuing permits for electronic signs earned a postponement for one more meeting.
The harassment ordinance, originally intended by Hays to protect bicyclists from being taunted or threatened by motorists, had been amended recently to prohibit harassment of anyone traveling on city streets and trails so as not to place one group above another.
Hays announced at Monday's City Council meeting that the proposal had turned into "pitting two users of our rightof-ways against each other," judging from three meetings of hearing public comment on the proposal.
"Maybe this had been a little bit more disruptive than constructive," Hays said. "That was not the point. ... What appeared to be happening is the last thing I wanted to happen."
Most of what was in the legislation is covered by existing statutes regarding assault, Hays added. He would, however, continue to pursue ways to increase education of traffic rules to bicyclists and courtesy of the roadways to all and by all, whether it's a motorist, a cyclist or a pedestrian, he said.
A vote on a proposed sign moratorium, postponed until Sept. 14, would extend to April2011 a ban on issuing any permits for "electronic changeable copy" signs in the city. The current moratorium began in April and ends Sept. 30.
Aldermen did approve 8-0 a companion ordinance to regulate the brightness of electronic signs, using a nationally accepted method of light measurement.
A public hearing Monday drew 12 speakers, eight against the moratorium and four in favor.
City Alderman Murry Witcher, one of four sponsors of the legislation, asked for the delay in order to gather more information.
"There was not anything I heard [Monday] that I hadn't heard," Witcher said. "I think we need to find a solution that provides equity for the business community and that satisfies our perceived need for the proper ambiance in our city."
Several business owners spoke against the city trying to keep them from using those types of signs to try to draw customers.
"Everybody wants to tell us what we can do and what we must do," said Richard Beard, a small business owner. "Some of us are getting closer to having had enough."
"The technology is out there to find that middle ground," said Mike Fritz, president of a pizza chain in central Arkansas. "We can attract customers by controlling the speed and content on our signs without them becoming distracting."
Critics, however, told aldermen the signs raise concerns for safety and neighborhood aesthetics.
"This type of sign can be a potential hazard to drivers and have an adverse effect to my neighborhood," said Charlie Knott, who lives in the Lakewood area of the city. "An all-out ban would be best."
Arkansas, Pages 9, 11 on 08/25/2009