By NICOLE LOGGINS

COLUMBIANA — The Columbiana City Council introduced an amendment to the city sign ordinance on March 20 and is now inviting citizens to attend a public hearing.

The hearing will be held at the next regular council meeting on April 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Columbiana City Hall.

The amendment would affect banner and shingle signs within the city limits.

According to the proposed ordinance amendment, shingle signs are 3-feet by 1-and-a-half feet signs suspended from an overhang, canopy or awning or supported from a mounting attached directly to the building and hanging perpendicular to the building wall.

“The shingle amendment clarifies existing guidelines and gives our business owners another option to market their business or product,” Lowe said. “They’re mainly for pedestrians, and they’ll be of most use to the downtown business owners where a lot of the foot traffic is.”

The portion of the amendment that deals with banners focuses on the display and sizing options of banners.

“It gives (business owners) more opportunities to advertise not only their business but also special discounts they may be having during certain times of the year,” Lowe said.

Lowe said anyone who would like to give their opinion will be welcome and heard during the public hearing.