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character having a width of 18 inches, and would yield 163 inches --or, 19 inches beyond the size of a 5 x 12 sign! It is our position that the flexibility for a long and narrow sign should not be restricted by the ordinance and should instead be regulated through the Conditional Use process. Given the above example, there may be situations where a 4 x 15 foot sign conveying a horizontal phrase may be appropriate and desirable; however, limiting such sizes at the ordinance level seems off- putting and unduly burdensome, considering the formalistic process for those situations where it should be appropriate. Where a particular plan seeks to use such a large horizontal sign, it can be considered and discussed by the Commission at that time and on the merits of such a plan. However, given the spaces and distance under examination, a 5 x 12 foot sign for a horizontal message is not beyond reasonable—and any particular use would, again, be subject to the Conditional Use process. i. Aggregate sign area cannot exceed 15% of the fence or wall area surrounding the field (or a cumulative of 500 square foot total whichever is less This section makes the Ordinance Amendment consistent with other sign ordinance provisions restricting total signage space to a percentage of the wall area, and the additional portion (added verbally at the April 21, 2009 meeting) adds a further limitation to the size of the signs in question. This provision would allow ten 50 square foot signs (which, in a 5x10 dimension variety, would cover 100 feet of horizontal space—or substantially less than 1/3`a of the entire outfield horizontal fenceline of baseball field and significantly less than 1/6°i of the total outfield wall area—and less than 35 yards worth of space along the football field fence). It is our position that the 500 square feet limitation is a condition best added as part of a conditional use, as, in some instances, signs may serve to block the visibility of other signs from public areas. In the case of Irondale High School, community -sponsored signs encircle the entire football stadium—and those block the view of signs on the other end of the field from those outside the stadium. Failure to leave this option open for a conditional use permit could result in an inability to even consider this potentially desirable feature from ever occurring. j. Signs must be of a temporary nature (Signs may be dismayed for up to six months per calendar year). This provision ensures that no erected sign will be permanent or be posted year round. Such a feature will ensure the signs remain temporary in nature and, again, prevent these from being "billboards". It is our position that either phrase is appropriate, but we suggest that the latter phrase may be more precise and "clean" and present a time limit as to the maximum posting of any sign in a calendar. Again, it should be noted that farther limitation as to a time limit could occur as a part of the Conditional Use process—which could, for example, limit any sign posting to August through November for purposes of the football field.