New sign ordinance vetoed by Mayor Harter - FOX 25/48 - WLAX/WEUX La Crosse & Eau Claire News

Mayor Harter has done it again. Tuesday was his 27th veto of his term and this time it was against the new sign ordinance that the city council passed last week.

Harter said that he believes the ordinance reached beyond government duty, and Rudy's business owner Gary Rudy agrees.

Rudy's has been in La Crosse since 1933, and it's sign is historic.

"It's a nostalgic place and the sign fits in with the image we are trying to project," said owner of Rudy's Gary Rudy.

Rudy says he believes his sign would be in violation of the new ordinance if enacted.

Mayor Harter said that it was the tight restriction on size and types of signs that gave him reason to veto the ordinance.

"Taking away the right to install the type of signs they want, whether it be monument or poles or square footage. I feel this ordinance extends beyond the role we should play," said Harter.

The city council will vote in October to override the veto. Two-thirds of the council will have to vote against the veto for it to be overturned.

If the ordinance is enacted:

-- Signs cannot be more the 14 feet high and 60 square feet.

-- Signs must be monument based, not pole based

-- Some signs will be able to stay as they are, while the rest would have until 2027 to change.

-- The city cannot force the change unless they pay "just compensation."

-- If replacing or substantial repairing a sign before 2027 it must be changed to ordinance regulations.

-- Electronic signs would have a 60 second time hold, and will be banned from residential neighborhoods, downtown (except for the arts district), historic districts, and "scenic corridors."

Rudy says the new ordinance is confusing to business owners as it will allow some to keep their signs while others will have to change.

"The problem is in 15 years I may or may not have to take my sign down, and I might be or I might not be paid to put a new one up. It's all this unknown facts that has businesses concerned," said Rudy.

City Council President Audrey Kader said that she believes that the veto is likely to be overridden.