There were many supporters at the Town Council Meeting yesterday evening, expressing views that we had not even fully considered!  (THANK YOU for your comments and support!)

The majority of the Council was very attentive and supportive.  Specifically, we are asking for signs to benefit ALL the businesses in the Historic Downtown Core, which is all of about 5 blocks.  The sidewalks are nearly 8 feet wide in some places, so there is certainly plenty of room for sidewalks and signs.  As another business pointed out to me yesterday, most view sandwich board signs as an enhancement, rather than an eyesore or tripping hazard.

One interesting issue raised by a supporter included the fact that most farmers markets are asking the Town for money or land to hold farmers market.  We are a private venture and not asking for any of this.  Another pointed out that it is better to have signs than to have a pretty town with pretty sidewalks, but no customers or businesses.  How true!  

Others were in support of the Market specifically, and anything that can be done to promote the new business.  All true.

We are confident that the Council will discuss the matter, and hopeful that they will come up with new codes, in a timely fashion, though no specific date was given.  Everyday that we are not able to direct traffic to the Market is a day that we are not able to maximize our customer potential.

I am reminded of the Rotary organization's Four Way Test.  The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions:

Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

We believe that our request embodies all the questions above, and trust the Council will adopt the same methods in determining the best outcome of the new codes.   

With that, God speed to the Council!  We've done what we can for now, and will wait patiently for the next round of dialog.  The Shenandoah Valley Herald was there taking notes, so look for the article to follow soon.

It was brought to our attention that we have made more enemies than friends with our letter to the Town Council pointing out other businesses who are in violation of the codes. 

It was not our intent to force the Town to make other businesses conform.  Rather, only to bring to the table the issue that our codes need revisited, and that we need to have codes AND enforcement that is fair to all.

One of our Facebook supporters recently wrote:  "After reviewing the comprehensive plan, I have to agree ... The actions taken to prohibit the [off-premise A-frame] signs is counter to the overall goal of promoting appropriate growth and development of Mt. Jackson.  I would ask the Town Council members to review the Comprehensive Plan and then examine which regulations/rules discourage/prevent Mt. Jackson from meeting the goal of being an attractive and dynamic town of which locals could be proud and tourists would seek as a to visit."

Well said!

Ultimately, amendments to the Code have the potential to benefit ALL businesses in Mount Jackson, including the long established businesses.  We are confident that the Planning Commission and Town Council are doing just this.

There is a Council meeting next Tuesday, October 11 at 7:30 PM, and EVERYONE is welcome to come and express their opinion. 

We really do hope that some provision can be made for "Off Premise" signage, at minimum in the Downtown Historic Core.  Otherwise, the only creative solution we have come up with is to resort to costumed sign waivers...  Oh my!  (Can't you just see Main Street full of kids dressed in this along Main Street?!) 

Perhaps our strategy for bringing the situation into the public eye is not as refined as some others', and we do apologize for having outed other businesses - then again we were told that it was other businesses who complained about us.  Therefore, it's obvious that there's a problem that needs to be fixed. 

Unfortunately, sometimes things get worse before they get better.  We do apologize for any inconvenience the issue may have caused.   

We do ask other businesses to jump on board, not to support us, but to support changes to benefit their own businesses.

Dear Town Council of Mount Jackson,

Earlier this week we were informed that our (2) 2’x3’ A-frame signs placed on Main Street and used to direct people to the new Mount Jackson Farmers’ Market were in violation of the Town Code.  One was placed in a grassy area near the new Veterans’ Park; the other in front of the Bowman Shannon Cultural Arts Center.   

The outdoor Market has been running for a mere 7 weeks.  We have been averaging 30 customers on Saturdays, with each Saturday successfully attracting more customers.  We have a growing number of “regular” customers at the moment, with new faces showing up each week.  Saturdays are slower than Wednesdays because we currently have less vendors than on Wednesdays due to prior commitments of Saturday vendors.   

Firstly, we have an undue hardship.  The business is one of the few, if not the ONLY business (will have to verify), in a B-1 District that is NOT sitting directly on Main Street.  Passers-by from the South cannot see the building; and passers-by from the North only see the lot. The building sits at the rear of the lot and is not readily visible from Main Street.  Therefore the code provisions for the signage on the face of the building do not meet the business' need for presence in the public eye.
From Section 66-166 of the Town Code:        

• Buildings within this district are encouraged to be multi-use.
• It is intended that the downtown area remain a viable mixed-use core and that the historic character be promoted and enhanced throughout the B-1 district.
• The purpose of these regulations is to protect the old and historic landmarks, … perpetuate such buildings,… the support and stimulus to business and industry thereby provided; to strengthen the economy of the town;
  
• Further, the purpose of this central business district is to recognize and foster through legislation the distinctive character of the original old Mount Jackson commercial district and to provide for the protection and preservation of the traditional image and history of that unique area as it presently exists and to promote and enhance future development which is compatible with that character and heritage as symbolized by the excellence in design, architecture of that period of development of Mount Jackson while blending private with public development and maintenance of that valuable distinct character.
• ...encourage the optimum use of the real estate within the zone, attract new business, enhance the tax base of real estate and the taxable value of businesses within the area,
  

From the 2006 Comprehensive Plan:
Goal 5-10: Promote agriculture.

•   Strategy 5-10-1: Promote agricultural tourism.
•                5-10-1-a: Encourage area farms to sponsor tourist-oriented farm vacations.
• Strategy 5-10-2: Promote farmers’ markets.
  

Today, Saturday, October 01, 2011, we did not put the signs out at the request of the Town.  We had 5 customers (all “regulars”).  We hardly feel that this is an effort on the part of the Town to foster relationships, let alone implement the Town’s Comprehensive Plan Goals.  

Considering both the intent of the Zoning and the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, and provided our undue hardship, it is our belief, and the belief of the Mount Jackson Farmers’ Market Vendors and Customers, that a couple of TEMPORARY 2’x3’ signs directing folks to a HISTORIC BUILDING and FARMERS’ MARKET, and put out and taken down on Market Days, would be easily accommodated by the Council by general consensus.

Lastly, the Codes for both the B-1 and B-2 districts prohibit “signs which flash, move, rotate, blink, flicker, or vary in intensity or color”, pennants and portable signs.  The code further states “ No lights of intermittent, flashing or animated types shall be permitted” and “No signs, temporary or permanent, shall be permitted which are posted, stapled or otherwise permanently attached to trees or utility poles within the street line.”  

After a review of other Main Street businesses, we have found that there are a number of businesses which violate the code and therefore it is appearing that enforcement of the code is targeting our new business only.  (Photos attached.)

Please advise us on how, as a new business in a historic structure, we can direct customers from Main Street to our business under the current codes.  OR please enforce the codes EQUALLY among all businesses.  We are happy to oblige, but need this effort to be a partnership rather than working against our new business.

Sincerely,
Gerald Forsburg