Tonight, I (Gerald), attended the Planning Commission meeting, where visitors are given 3 minutes to speak. I explained our situation, and requested that the Planning Commission review the sign ordinances in the B-1 Zone (in which our building is located). The Planning Commission stated that they would be looking into this in the near future. We were also informed that other businesses were the ones to raise the complaint.
As I sat listening to other agenda items, and the dialog between the Commission and other property owners, I realized that I should set the record straight and better explain the issues.
First, there is a fairness issue. In fact, other businesses are in violation of the codes (i.e. pennants and amount of freestanding signs.)
Secondly, and more importantly, is the issue that was brought to us is in regards to "off premise" signs in particular. In this regard, there is no provision in the Code that permits "off premise" signs whatsoever (including non-profit organizations, though off-premise signs for non-profits are generally allowed). And this is where we admittedly were in violation of the code.
Lastly, while we admittedly are concerned about fairness and that we are being held to a stricter interpretation of the code than perhaps other businesses, the Town Council is not to blame for enforcing the code. The Code already existed (or in this case, the Code does not exist and therefore we cannot do it). This is not a personal issue by any means, or in some way saying that the Council is not representing local business, or even is not business-friendly. Rather, we are simply raising the issue that the Codes regarding off-premise signs, and signage for businesses in general, and particularly in the Historic Downtown Core, needs to be revisited in order to foster the economic development that the Town desires and has written into its Comprehensive Plan.
With that, I simply want to report that Mount Jackson is indeed open for business, and that it is the businesses' responsibility to inform the Council of areas of the Code that may need to be reviewed and re-aligned with their intent.
So, please continue to support both us, and the Town Council, as the discussion continues to find new, fair and equally beneficial changes to the Code to allow downtown businesses in particular, to provide better signage to the customers.
Hope that helps to put things in perspective.
As I sat listening to other agenda items, and the dialog between the Commission and other property owners, I realized that I should set the record straight and better explain the issues.
First, there is a fairness issue. In fact, other businesses are in violation of the codes (i.e. pennants and amount of freestanding signs.)
Secondly, and more importantly, is the issue that was brought to us is in regards to "off premise" signs in particular. In this regard, there is no provision in the Code that permits "off premise" signs whatsoever (including non-profit organizations, though off-premise signs for non-profits are generally allowed). And this is where we admittedly were in violation of the code.
Lastly, while we admittedly are concerned about fairness and that we are being held to a stricter interpretation of the code than perhaps other businesses, the Town Council is not to blame for enforcing the code. The Code already existed (or in this case, the Code does not exist and therefore we cannot do it). This is not a personal issue by any means, or in some way saying that the Council is not representing local business, or even is not business-friendly. Rather, we are simply raising the issue that the Codes regarding off-premise signs, and signage for businesses in general, and particularly in the Historic Downtown Core, needs to be revisited in order to foster the economic development that the Town desires and has written into its Comprehensive Plan.
With that, I simply want to report that Mount Jackson is indeed open for business, and that it is the businesses' responsibility to inform the Council of areas of the Code that may need to be reviewed and re-aligned with their intent.
So, please continue to support both us, and the Town Council, as the discussion continues to find new, fair and equally beneficial changes to the Code to allow downtown businesses in particular, to provide better signage to the customers.
Hope that helps to put things in perspective.
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