By Kate McCardell

Published: May 7, 2008

There may be some tweaking in the near future to Marianna’s sign ordinance, according to city officials.

Three Marianna commissioners met with the public and city staff at a special-called workshop Wednesday with the purpose of reviewing the city’s sign ordinance.

“I think it went well,” said Commissioner John Roberts. “I appreciate the people that came to give their input. I feel like the sign ordinance will be tweaked, but not everything in it.”

Several representatives of the business community appeared before commissioners Paul Donofro Jr., James Wise and Roberts with concerns over the flexibility of the city’s current sign ordinance, which has existed since 2002.

First to the podium was Sid Riley, owner of a bed and breakfast and reporter for a local weekly news publication.

Riley said he believes signage shouldn’t interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic, but urged the board not just to reconsider signage for temporary events, but for real estate, auto dealerships and downtown A-frame signs as well.

Kathy Milton, representing a real estate agency, spoke next. Milton asked commissioners to consider allowing directional signs for house sales, which are prohibited within city limits but are allowed in the county jurisdiction.

She said the signs can be helpful in directing prospective buyers to homes, which can increase sales.

The issue of computerized signage was then raised.

Milton said she had purchased a large computerized sign, but because of the city ordinance, the sign is in her basement.

Commissioner Roberts noted that Panama City is in the process of amending its sign ordinance to prohibit such signs because of problems they may cause in distracting drivers.

Riley asked why the city recently purchased a computerized traffic sign, if they are considered by the city to be a distraction to drivers.

“Because it’s just on the side of the road and flashing,” said Roberts.

Day-care center owner Tom Bower stepped before the podium, upset that his attempt to replace a sign last year was unsuccessful.

The property of his day care was grandfathered into a residential zone years ago and when a tree recently took his sign down, he sought to replace it with what he felt was a better sign.

He said he also wanted to move his sign closer to the road, but was permitted to replace the sign with the same size sign in the same location, which did not satisfy him.

Jamie Streetman, representing a real estate agency, told the board that the ordinance needed more flexibility, and asked commissioners not to base decisions on what other cities do, but what may or may not be relevant to Marianna.

Jim Harkins, owner of a local sign company, said that electric signs are no more distracting than a driver while talking on a cell phone. He suggested the ordinance allow for computerized signage, but regulate the timing of messages flashed on the sign.

Judy Williams, owner of a new local package delivery service in the city’s downtown area, expressed her difficulty in putting up a sign for her branch of a national chain.

She said her sign, a “tacky plastic orange and brown sign,” is different from about 95 percent of its other stores nationwide.

She said she was unable to have a backlit sign under the current ordinance, and that stores in the same area that have been grandfathered in have an advantage over stores like hers, which must comply with more current restrictions.

City planning and zoning director Kay Dennis noted that backlit signs are allowed and that they must be a certain size.

Williams said she was unaware of this. She said it seems that the ordinance in place is “not really understood by the people in charge or the public.”
Jonathan Fuqua, a local business owner, festival planner, city resident and chairman of the city planning and zoning board brought a suggestion that seemed to be well-received by many at the meeting.

He noted that some businesses, especially automotive dealerships feel they are unable to advertise special events due to limitations in the ordinance.
“If you hold a sale every week, it’s not a special event,” said Fuqua.

He noted that the sign ordinance has not been changed since 2002, and suggested an adjustment to the ordinance that would allow business to advertise with signage for one week one special event per quarter.

“You’ve got to advertise ... we need a balance that keeps the city’s character,” said Fuqua.

Fuqua also noted that, while some business are unhappy that the downtown area has more strict limits on signage, it is the business owner’s choice to locate in a historic downtown district instead of a chain mall area near large stores.

Chad Taylor spoke as a resident of the city.

Taylor said he sees no problem with the permanent sign element of the ordinance, but worries about the temporary sign issue.

He said he does not want to see banners hung everywhere flapping in the wind and becoming weathered, making the city look “like a third-world country.”
There are many outlets through which businesses can advertise, said Taylor, who spoke against directional real estate signs in a residential setting.

“But I believe a residential area is a place for us to get away from that stuff,” said Taylor.

Commissioner Roberts asked those present to abide by the city’s current ordinance until any changes occur.

He urged everyone present to attend more of the city’s regular meetings, which are held the first Tuesday of every month.