My only comments in regard to the article are as follows:
- We are not asking for an "exception". We are asking the Council to review the Codes for the sake of ALL businesses in Mount Jackson.
- That "there are concerns about having signs promoting an off-site business that sit in front of an establishment along Main Street" is actually part of our reason for asking for the Town to amend the codes, as currently portable signs in front of ANY business is a violation of the code.
- We would tend to agree that directional signage for a for-profit-business may not be fair to other businesses, and have never requested this; however, considering we are the only business in the B-1 Zone that does not sit directly on Main Street, this may be a viable option as well.
It is unfortunate that any new business, but especially the Market, would be the catalyst for requesting a review of the Codes. But if someone has to speak up, I suppose it should be a business that is in the community, for the community and supported by the community.
Would the situation be different if we had petitioned the Council to review the sign codes long ago and before attempting our new venture? Perhaps.
Is our request a direct result of the code being enforced on us and not others? Of course, but not precisely. Our desire is not to have the other businesses conform - we simply want the codes to be fair to all.
It is not uncommon for a new venture, development, or business to bring to the table for discussion issues that have existed and simply haven't had an opportunity to be addressed. The great thing about our society is that officials are elected to listen to the desires of the people who elected them and then to make decisions that are fair to all. Dialog is often uncomfortable, but we are confident in the ability of our elected officials to listen to the needs of their community and respond fairly. After all, the times, the Town and the economy have all drastically changed since the codes on signage were written. The Council knows this as well as the small business owners. It's every business owner's responsibility, however, to be part of the solution, instead of only present the problem. As uncomfortable as presenting the problem may be, we hope we have presented at least one possible solution: amendments that allow downtown businesses to better promote themselves.
The amendments we have proposed to permit temporary off-premises and on-premise signs in the B-1 Zone are as follows:
Section 66-335: Signs
(e) Business Districts
(3) Signs permitted within a business district ...
(m) A-frame Board-style signs may be permitted.
1. Within the B-1 zoning district each lot may display one A-frame style sign during operational business hours only. A-frame style signs shall not require a permit. This sign shall conform to the following standards:
i. A-Frame-style board signs may not exceed 24 inches in width and 36 inches in height;
ii. must be constructed of wood, wrought iron or other traditional material, and may contain an area for changing text, provided this area is of chalkboard or whiteboard-type materials;
iii. must allow for the free and unencumbered passage of pedestrians; and,
iv. all signs must be removed at the close of business, placed onsite no earlier than 6 AM and removed no later than 9 PM.
2. Within the B-1 zoning district, businesses not located on Main Street may display a maximum of two A-frame style signs “off premises” during operational business hours only, for the sole intent of directing traffic to the place of business. The signs shall conform to the same standards as above, and must be placed in public space. Signs may be placed on public sidewalks that are greater than 5' in width and must be placed near the curb. Temporary off premise signs may be permitted in front yards of other businesses, provided permission of the business owner is first obtained and the signs meet the above requirements.
Section 66-335: Signs
(g) Sign permit requirements.
(4) Permit Exceptions
d. A-Frame style signs
We recognize that these amendments are only ONE solution. There are others, and other businesses should chime in as well.
You can read the article here: http://www.nvdaily.com/news/2011/10/farmers-market-appeals-for-signs.php