USA Today article: Towns confront sandwich board signs - Cyburbia Forums

JNA · 2008-04-29, 07:42 PM

http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...ichsigns_N.htm

What a quote:

Quote:

"We need to help them out, but we can't have a city that looks like crap."

Communities profiled:
Palm Springs, CA
Eugene, OR
Mobile, AL
Chattanooga, TN
Easthampton, MA.
Annapolis, MD

Does your fair community allow them ?
or be limited to what Palm Spring, CA allows - the name of the business and the word "open."

I agree with Palm Spring, CA not allowing lights on them.

Otis · 2008-04-29, 07:47 PM

We allow one per lot, up to 12 square feet in size, but it counts against the square footage allowed for both attached and free-standing signs. They have to be on private property (not on the sidewalk). Illumination has never come up.

Dan · 2008-04-29, 11:29 PM

The City of Buffalo sign code allows old-school portable signs -- 32 square feet, complete with the blinking arrow -- to be displayed in the public right-of-way, on a sidewalk, with no regards as to blocking pedestrian routes.

I do NOT recommend this for any city. I think only Buffalo is so stupid as to allow something like this.

RichmondJake · 2008-04-30, 08:00 AM

They're prohibited in my jurisdiction with one exception: if located on the beach advertising goods and services offered there (para-sailing, wave-runners, etc.)

Cardinal · 2008-04-30, 09:23 AM

If they are well done and properly located, I think they can add character to the streetscape. Go one step further and place merchandise out on the sidewalk. Many communities allow them in their downtown districts. Some also allow them in strip mall settings, but require them to be placed within a certain distance of the store entrance. This prevents a sign going up on the terrace in front of the parking lot in front of the store.

The City of Madison went through this issue some years back, where a hemp store in the downtown put out a sign. This triggered a battle between the store, which sought to get the signs allowed, and the city attorney/code enforcement, who did not have the brains to look around and realize that no harm was being done. A change of mayors resolved the issue in favor of the business.

Boulder, Colorado is another place that prohibits them. The claim is that the wind may knock over a sign and kill somebody. I never understood how every other community in the area could allow them if that was a legitimate concern. For that matter, why not require them to be weighted or anchored as a solution. Unfortunately, Boulder does not have anybody with the common sense it takes to resolve the issue.

You've gotta love the liberal, anti-change, self-aggrandizing "planning meccas." They do entertain.

mgk920 · 2008-04-30, 10:47 AM

I agree that if they're done right, they can add a lot to the character of a streetscape. Several downtown Appleton bars and restaurants set smallish chalkboard ones out in front of their doors every day and I see no problems at all with them. In fact I, as a potential customer, find them to be very handy and visually attractive as I am looking for a place for some food/adult beverage.

Mike

transguy · 2008-04-30, 11:41 AM

I love sandwhich board signs (when done appropriately). They seem to add a great deal of pedestrian scale to an area.

Seabishop · 2008-04-30, 11:52 AM

Our town strictly forbids them. We even forbid "Open" flags. Needless to say local small business owners often think we are jerks.

hilldweller · 2008-04-30, 01:51 PM

We allow them with no size restrictions in commercial zones, but the code says they cannot impede pedestrians. No portable signs of any kind are allowed in residential zones.

gkmo62u · 2008-04-30, 04:00 PM

Not trying to steal thread....

While we are seeing some use of the more old fashioned two sided sandwhich board sign...we are being overwhelmed by the plastic, wired-stand, style signs--usually 1x1 or 2x2 everywhere in our community.

Used to be just real estate, but businesses are putting them up, multiples at times, all over town.

Cardinal · 2008-04-30, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gkmo62u

Not trying to steal thread....

While we are seeing some use of the more old fashioned two sided sandwhich board sign...we are being overwhelmed by the plastic, wired-stand, style signs--usually 1x1 or 2x2 everywhere in our community.

Used to be just real estate, but businesses are putting them up, multiples at times, all over town.

Many ordinances distinguish between these and sandwich boards or menu boards. But I agree these are awful. I have to fight the urge to rip it out of the ground every time I see one (usually posted illegally).

transguy · 2008-05-01, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cardinal
I have to fight the urge to rip it out of the ground every time I see one (usually posted illegally).

Don't fight the urge.

2008-04-30, 08:00 AM	#4
RichmondJake Cyburbian Registered: Aug 2001 Location: Office with two windows Posts: 12,440	They're prohibited in my jurisdiction with one exception: if located on the beach advertising goods and services offered there (para-sailing, wave-runners, etc.) __________________ Delusions of grandeur make me feel a lot better about myself.

2008-04-30, 09:23 AM	#5
Cardinal Cyburbian Registered: Aug 2001 Location: The Cheese State Posts: 8,215	If they are well done and properly located, I think they can add character to the streetscape. Go one step further and place merchandise out on the sidewalk. Many communities allow them in their downtown districts. Some also allow them in strip mall settings, but require them to be placed within a certain distance of the store entrance. This prevents a sign going up on the terrace in front of the parking lot in front of the store. The City of Madison went through this issue some years back, where a hemp store in the downtown put out a sign. This triggered a battle between the store, which sought to get the signs allowed, and the city attorney/code enforcement, who did not have the brains to look around and realize that no harm was being done. A change of mayors resolved the issue in favor of the business. Boulder, Colorado is another place that prohibits them. The claim is that the wind may knock over a sign and kill somebody. I never understood how every other community in the area could allow them if that was a legitimate concern. For that matter, why not require them to be weighted or anchored as a solution. Unfortunately, Boulder does not have anybody with the common sense it takes to resolve the issue. You've gotta love the liberal, anti-change, self-aggrandizing "planning meccas." They do entertain. __________________ APA - Extorting money from professional planners for 25 years

2008-04-29, 07:47 PM	#2
Otis Cyburbian Plus Registered: Mar 2002 Location: Upper left edge Posts: 1,675	We allow one per lot, up to 12 square feet in size, but it counts against the square footage allowed for both attached and free-standing signs. They have to be on private property (not on the sidewalk). Illumination has never come up.

2008-04-29, 11:29 PM	#3
Dan Cyburbia Administrator Registered: Mar 1996 Location: Buffalo, New York Posts: 9,847 Blog entries: 3	The City of Buffalo sign code allows old-school portable signs -- 32 square feet, complete with the blinking arrow -- to be displayed in the public right-of-way, on a sidewalk, with no regards as to blocking pedestrian routes. I do NOT recommend this for any city. I think only Buffalo is so stupid as to allow something like this.

2008-04-30, 10:47 AM	#6
mgk920 Cyburbian Registered: Mar 2004 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 2,903	I agree that if they're done right, they can add a lot to the character of a streetscape. Several downtown Appleton bars and restaurants set smallish chalkboard ones out in front of their doors every day and I see no problems at all with them. In fact I, as a potential customer, find them to be very handy and visually attractive as I am looking for a place for some food/adult beverage. Mike

2008-04-30, 11:41 AM	#7
transguy Cyburbian Registered: Jan 2006 Location: Midwest-ish Posts: 190	I love sandwhich board signs (when done appropriately). They seem to add a great deal of pedestrian scale to an area.

2008-04-30, 11:52 AM	#8
Seabishop Cyburbian Registered: Nov 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,283	Our town strictly forbids them. We even forbid "Open" flags. Needless to say local small business owners often think we are jerks.

2008-04-30, 01:51 PM	#9
hilldweller Cyburbian Plus Registered: Jan 2005 Location: graveyard of ideas Posts: 1,795	We allow them with no size restrictions in commercial zones, but the code says they cannot impede pedestrians. No portable signs of any kind are allowed in residential zones.

2008-04-30, 04:00 PM	#10
gkmo62u Cyburbian Registered: Feb 2002 Location: Townville Posts: 1,045	Not trying to steal thread.... While we are seeing some use of the more old fashioned two sided sandwhich board sign...we are being overwhelmed by the plastic, wired-stand, style signs--usually 1x1 or 2x2 everywhere in our community. Used to be just real estate, but businesses are putting them up, multiples at times, all over town.