Daphne’s city leaders took time during the last City Council meeting to discuss possible changes to the city’s ordinance about political signs.

The proposed changes to the ordinance would limit the size of political signs that could be displayed in business, commercial or industrial area to no larger than 32 square feet and no taller than 8 feet in height. Updates would also limit Daphne residents to two non-illuminated signs per lot in a residential zone and one non-illuminated sign per candidate or issue on private property in business, commercial or industrial zones.

Several council members seemed to be in favor of lessening the restrictions placed on residences and business owners. Councilwoman Angie Phillips said she felt everyone should have an opportunity to express their political opinions through sign usage, whether it be business owners or private residents.

“It’s my feeling that a private resident should have as much ability to show their support as a business owner,” Phillips said.

Councilman Ron Scott said there are already some areas of the city that don’t allow any signs at all, namely subdivisions with restrictive covenants. Scott said he wasn’t aware this had been a huge problem for the city for residents in those areas.

“I don’t know that it has been a problem historically in residential areas,” Scott said. “If we don’t have some limit, I can just see some homeowner that would just want to tick off his next door neighbor and put 73 signs in his yard just out of spite. Whether someone is going to bring a constitutional issue to us, I don’t know.”

Councilman Robin LeJeune said the proposed changes might restrict the ability of some citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights.

“I believe the citizens should be able to express their freedom of speech in that matter and if there are 73 issues on the ballot, they should be able to have 73 signs addressing each issue,” LeJeune said. “We so have the ability to set limits on how long they have them out, but we shouldn’t hinder their ability to practice their freedom of speech.”

LeJeune also rejected the idea of possibly having the ordinance changes not take effect until after this year’s municipal elections in August.

“For us to table this until after the election is just hiding on this issue,” LeJeune said. “It seems like we’re saying we don’t want to have to worry about it so we don’t have to make a hard decision – and I don’t like that.”

The proposed ordinance changes could see a vote as soon as the council’s May 16 meeting.