Carefree Truth

Issue #213, January 8, 2013

 

 

 

During the second and final reading of the proposed amendment to permanently allow A Frame signs within 35' of business entrances, Gary Neiss reiterated that Carefree prides itself on the small businesses which contribute to the character of the community. He stated that during the past 3 years Carefree has relaxed the sign code to permit sidewalk signs, almost every surrounding community in the metropolitan area has allowed A Frames on a permanent basis. He frequently hears from the businesses which use A Frames that they are a critical element in their success, one which brings people in their door. Making this permanent provides a certainty when they are deciding to sign a lease.

 

 

 

Councilman Mike Farrar asked that a photograph of a street lined with A Frames signs be put on the screen, stating that it is a tricky issue as far as visual clutter and potential liability if someone falls. He felt that currently allowed signs on the main streets provide visibility for stores, and added that some places only allow A Frame signs for restaurants. Audience member Joe DeVito asked where the photo was taken, saying that it looked like Westchester or someplace similarly dense. He pointed out that in the larger cities, competition is very high, with a population density of 20-30 times higher than Carefree's. Councilman Farrar did not know where the photo was taken, and after going through his paperwork, said it was Seattle. Mr. DeVito said he is in favor of allowing the signs because he's never seen them abused in Carefree.

 

 

 

Greg Cooper, owner of the local health food store Cooper's Nutrition, stated that his A Frame sign brought people in who hadn't known he was in the Basha's Center, and who would otherwise have gone all the way down to Whole Foods on Mayo Blvd., and said that probably every other day he gets comments and new customers due to his A Frame. He has had stores in other parts of the Valley on heavily trafficked streets and never felt the need for an A Frame before, but said it has been invaluable in his current location. Councilman Marty Saltzman asked if a nice banner sign in front of his store would work, and Mr. Cooper agree that it would, but said that working capitol is always a problem. A monument sign is planned for the Carefree Marketplace, to which all businesses will contribute, but only a few can be listed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh74DvM1E3c

 

 

 

Councilman Glenn Miller felt it is a good compromise, getting the A Frames off the arterial roads. He said he would rather see a few signs around than see empty store fronts. He agreed with Mr. Neiss that Carefree shouldn't hold back merchants who are trying to survive. He is in the downtown on a daily basis and only sees 6 to 8 A Frames on the Town sidewalks.

 

 

 

Councilman Marty Saltzman said he is torn. Imposing appropriate restrictions is the Town's job, balancing the interests of businesses with what brings people to Carefree. He thought the latest moratorium on A Frames was the last and that merchants had to talk to their landlords about monument signs, and/or get one of the permitted individual signs. He hadn't seen merchants make an effort to get individual non A Frame signs. He wanted to be sensitive to business owners but also to what makes Carefree special. He said that A Frames are not helpful if there is a proliferation of them, as is seen in a neighboring community, but he agreed that the proposed ordinance would prevent that by limiting the signs to within 35' of the door.

 

 

 

Councilman Arthur Gimson felt it is "a positive step in the right direction", and viewed the removal of A Frames from the arterial streets as the most positive issue. He too mentioned the clutter on the main street of a neighboring community, calling it "an eyesore, nothing but banners and flags and junk".

 

 

 

Mayor David Schwan clarified the alternatives. 1. Do nothing and the A Frames go away as of January 1st. 2. If adopted, A Frames will be permitted but will be off the arterial streets. 3. Council can make modifications to the proposed ordinance.

 

 

 

Councilman John Crane worried about a proliferation of signs if the occupancy rates improve, which he stated "would be a good problem to have". He wanted assurance that the ordinance could be revisited and changed. For instance, if Los Portales Mall became fully occupied, it could generate many signs, at which point this would need to be reconsidered.

 

 

 

Councilman Farrar cited an article in the Sonoran News that said the sundial signs were completely useless. He agreed, and said that's what prompted the new merchant signs meant to drive traffic into the town center, which he said is primarily foot traffic. He asked how to avoid clutter.

 

 

 

Councilman Gimson said he was the one who asked the question last month about why this didn't go back to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and stated he was satisfied with the explanation.

 

 

 

Vice Mayor Melissa Price said she too was torn. She believed that the sidewalks by the Los Portales and Warren Malls are private, and the businesses located within are allowed to put out signs if they so desired. She preferred to see sidewalk signs limited to use by restaurants.

 

 

 

Audience member Joanne Gemmill said she does not like to see A Frame signs and doesn't think they project the proper image of Carefree, but as a Carefree merchant and landlord, she empathizes with businesses that are not visible from arterial streets. She disagreed with some of the comments, as the priority is to keep the signs on the main streets to provide a visible presence for those businesses. Mrs. Gemmill said that she realized some businesses rely heavily on A Frame signs but with the new flexibility a couple of businesses are having Howard Bertram make blade signs, which she felt was a wonderful example for others, providing samples of alternative signage opportunities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuPZxHZ4Wek

 

 

 

Councilman Saltzman was inclined to approve, with the understanding that it could be changed if they do not like the way it looks. He said that Carefree has been bold about trying things, and that they can be revisited if the results don't work out well.

 

 

 

Councilman Crane said it can be difficult to rescind something once it's given, but that it can be managed aggressively.

Councilman Miller agreed and said if the signs get out of hand, it is simple to bring it back to the Council.

 

 

 

Councilman Gimson agreed with Councilmen Crane and Miller. He said there is a need to curb abuse if there is abuse, but we don't know that there will be. He hadn't seen it in the past 3 years.

 

 

 

Mayor Schwan said he's always willing to try something and modify it if it doesn't work. Carefree started amending sign ordinances in a big way when he first became Mayor. It has been going on for 3-1/2 years, and is still in that process. Council has the ability to chance an ordinance and to manage problems. "When people talk about things that may happen, that's speculation. I deal with what is actually out there. I understand that it could become a problem, but when I walk down Easy Street today, when I walk down Ho and Hum, I don't see a proliferation of signs. I'd prefer that we did not have A Frame signs in town. I think this is a reasonable compromise that can be adjusted as time goes on." He felt that Vice Mayor Price's comment about restricting them to restaurants was a good fall-back position if it becomes a problem. But he felt this is the right thing to do now for the businesses that are out there struggling. People who are using A Frame signs say they are necessary for their business. Many can't afford a more expensive alternative.

 

 

 

Councilman Saltzman asked what it would hurt to extend the moratorium for another year to give people a chance to try different things. Mayor Schwan responded, "The same argument I made a year ago, when you and I had this same discussion and I said let's make it permanent, so a year from now I don't have to go through this whole thing again", causing chuckles throughout the room. Councilman Saltzman smiled and nodded acknowledgement.

 

 

 

Mayor Schwan asked if there was a motion. Councilman Miller made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilman Gimson. Betsy Wise called for a vote. Councilmen Crane, Farrar, and Vice Mayor Price voted no. Councilmen Gimson, Saltzman, Miller, and Mayor Schwan voted yes. The motion passed 4-3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqxdIDxbgQI

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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