The Covington City Council passed an ordinance allowing service-organization signs in the public right-of-way.

Planning Manager Richard Hart presented the proposed ordinance to the members at the Tuesday meeting.

The measure passed with Councilman Mark Lanza voting no and all other members voting yes.

Lanza emphasized he was not against service-organization signs, but because the ordinance, “allowed a pole sign, we could be opening ourselves for something we don’t want.”

Lanza said the pole sign provision in the measure could be misused by business organizations.

Councilman Jim Scott said he thought, “if it becomes a problem later we can address it.”

Councilman Wayne Snoey said, “service-organization signs contribute a lot to the community and community spirit.”

The ordinance describes service signs as “noncommercial signs sponsored by a service or fraternal organization or club or similar public service organization located within the city.”

Political signs are allowed, but limited to six square feet and must be taken down seven days after the election.

According to the ordinance language signs will not be allowed on “medians, roundabouts, utility poles, lampposts, traffic signs and signals, or public structures.”

The ordinance calls for service-organization signs to be 5-foot square, two signs per organization and the type allowed are monument, pedestal and pole including wood or metal.