Florence commission favors additional wall signs near major roads

The Florence City Planning Commission has unanimously recommended allowing more wall signs for hotels and other businesses within sight of interstates and major highways.

The city’s sign ordinance allows two wall signs per building, but could be amended to allow a maximum of four following a request from a developer building a Hampton Inn and Suites off West Lucas Street.

The signs wouldn’t be allowed to exceed 20 percent of the wall area. The front and rear signs would be limited to 200 square feet, while the side signs would be limited to 100 square feet.

If the signage rules change, they wouldn’t override design guidelines in the city’s overlay districts, said Phillip Lookadoo, Florence’s urban planning and development director.

The amendment, based on Greenville’s sign ordinance, will go before Florence City Council for a first reading Nov. 10.