Planning Commission Says ‘No’ to Banner Ban

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

An Oxford alderman wants to ban banners in residential areas.
Photo altered to blur wording

After an Oxford alderman saw several rude and in some cases, vulgar, “bedsheet banners” hanging from houses and apartments during the home football game against the University of Alabama, they asked the Oxford Planning Department to ban banners from neighborhoods in the city’s Land Development Code.

On Monday, Judy Daniel, city planner, presented the proposed change to the Oxford Planning Commission that would ban banners from residential neighborhoods that are zoned, Estate Residential, Suburban Residential and Neighborhood Residential.

“The problem also exists in the Suburban Multi-Family district with people hanging bedsheets off balconies that are spraypainted,” Daniel said. “However, temporary banners are occasionally used by apartment complexes for legitimate advertising.”

Daniel did not say which aldermen requested the change to the code.

“The impetus for the change is the type of language seen recently on banners made of spray paint on bedsheets related to football rivalries,” states the comments on the request to change the code.

However, Commissioner Marvin King said he didn’t think that because some people chose to hang rude banners, the city should just outlaw all banners altogether.

The other commissioners agreed and unanimously voted to not ban the banners from residential areas.

Legally, the city is limited in what it can govern in terms of language on a sign, according to the city attorney. However, in the Oxford Neighborhood Code, it is unlawful to hang laundry up outside in front of a home where it is visible to the public.