`City will accept sign suggestions`

By Karen Coates
Herald Staff Writer

Small business owners can start getting out pen and paper.

Hermitage commissioners Wednesday said they will accept written suggestions from people in commercial districts on what to do about those pesky portable signs sprouting up throughout the city.

Suggestions about the changeable copy signs — primarily portable light-up marquees — which have been the focus of some heated debate over the last two months, will be solicited by city staff through an advertisement in The Herald. City Manager Gary Hinkson said the ad is likely to be placed in the next few days.

Hermitage residents and business owners will have two weeks to submit their ideas on what to do about the city’s ordinance, he said. The 1991 ordinance restricts changeable copy displays to permanent pole signs with 8 feet of space between the bottom of the sign and the ground. Pole signs can be no taller than 30 feet.

Commissioners said 14 of the 60 businesses violating the ordinance have taken down their signs. The board, however, has been deliberating what to do about the other 46 businesses since solicitor Tom Kuster said in early July the ordinance may have too many “gray areas” to be effective.

Grandfathering of signs and an unclear distinction between conforming and non-conforming signs could make the ordinance too difficult to enforce, he said.

“We have found ourselves in a bit of a quandary...” said board President John Coupland, saying the board has been split on whether to seek public input through a mail survey or move ahead with amending the ordinance. “We need to decide what we want to do next...but we’re not going to do another corridor study,” he said. “The legislation is on the books.”

Commissioner Sylvia Stull opposed mailing survey forms since similar past efforts failed to get much response. Public hearings should be adequate for gathering input, she said, Commissioner Bill Scanlon argued the board should focus on beautification of commercial zones while allowing businesses to use the signs to attract customers. He suggested getting information from other communities facing the same problem.

A handful of business owners and managers said commissioners can count on hearing from them that changeable copy signs are vital to their businesses.

“We’re going to respond collectively as a group,” said Bruce Kelley, owner of Collins Motel, 4036 E. State St., who has had a portable sign since 1989. “I’ve already talked to 23 businesses.” Jack Kerins, owner of Tam O’Shanter Golf Course on Route 18 whose portable sign is landscaped with flowers, urged commissioners to consider how important portable signs are for small businesses. They shouldn’t be banned while such other advertisements as political posters and yard sale signs are allowed, he said.

“The big malls don’t care if you get rid of the (portable) signs but the little fellow won’t be there long if he can’t get his customers off the road,” Kerins said.

Commissioners said any vote to amend the ordinance is at least three months away. Proposals would have to go before the city and county planning commissions and each would hold a hearing. For now, city planners are reviewing which signs are violating the ordinance and which may be grandfathered in.

Back to TOP // Herald Local news // Local news headlines // Herald Home page

Updated July 22, 1998
Questions/comments: herald@pgh.net
For info about advertising on our site or Web-page creation: advertising@sharon-herald.com