Signs for biz

Maitland City Council will consider an ordinance on Monday, July 11 that would make it easier for businesses to use temporary sign banners to promote openings or special events.

Councilman Phil Bonus said at the June 27 meeting that now is a more important time than ever to get businesses to open in the city and stay there. He said no one knew that RanGetsu had its grand opening last month because the Village at Lake Lily restaurant wasn’t allowed any special signage. He also cited a recently shuttered eatery across from City Hall that could have used some help.

“We just saw the closing of NYPD (Pizza),” Bonus said. “We have to spur business in the downtown corridor.”

Electronic boards

The ordinance also seeks to create a new sign classification — city information signs. Maitland would like to purchase electronic bulletin boards to place in the downtown corridor as well as the west side to advertise city and cultural partner events and amber alerts.

“Anybody on the computer can design what goes on that (electronic communication) board, so the board is up to date with new information,” Maitland Leisure Services Director Chuck Jordan said.

Code overhaul

This is all a quick fix for what city officials say is a big problem — the city’s outdated sign code. Maitland plans to do an overhaul of the code beginning in September.

“We’re trying to do something temporarily to get things going,” Mayor Howard Schieferdecker said. “It needs a little bit of work, but I do think we should go forward with this, get this out, and go through the sign code and make sure it’s properly done for our city.”

Sign control

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Dale McDonald said the city has been lax in enforcing its current sign code policy in regards to banners. “It’s a wild west show in this city for banners,” he said. “There’s no enforcement; no parameters.” The current sign code says that banners can be up for 48 hours but some have been up for months, he said.

Bonus asked for a review of the enforcement policies. “This is not the first time I’ve heard about uneven enforcement for signs in general,” he said. “There seems to be some confusion or at least doubt as to whose job it is….”

City Manager Jim Williams said enforcement is a “double-edged sword.” “More enforcement means more angry businesses,” he said. “Staff is trying to balance for the greater good.”