Post by newsfeeder on Jul 12, 2006 19:59:28 GMT -5
Andrew's Wine Cellar co-owner Yvette Bowman knows the sidewalk sign promoting her new business in downtown Oswego is helping.
"I think it definitely has an impact because people can see when they're walking on the sidewalk that there are businesses in here," she said of her store and others inside the Canal Commons on West First Street. "I think it captures people's attention when they're walking down the street."
But for about six weeks this spring, Bowman and several other Oswego business owners were forced to take down their signs.
Oswego's zoning code allows A-frame signs on city sidewalks as long as the owner has a permit. But until this week, the code prohibited inverted-T signs - the type of sign Bowman and others use to promote their businesses.
Councilors voted 6-0 Monday night to amend the zoning ordinance so that both A-frame signs and inverted-T signs are allowed in public space. Signs cannot exceed 20 square feet, and they can only advertise the businesses it fronts during business hours. The signs also must be placed within four feet of the curb, except in areas where green space is within the first four feet.
"I think if they help the businesses out, they are worth having," Councilor Richard Atkins, D-7th Ward, said before voting Monday.
The resolution says marquee illuminated flashing portable signs are prohibited in both public space and on private property. It also states that the city will give business owners a sticker that must be placed on permitted signs to show they are in compliance with the code.
Earlier this year, the city sent letters to some business owners who were violating the code. The letters warned they'd be fined if they didn't remove any of the signs that did not have permits.
Councilors agreed May 22 to let business owners pay $5 apiece for temporary permits to
display their signs until the zoning ordinance was amended.
The resolution approved Monday night says the council must approve the use of public space, as well as a permit for anyone who wants to display an inverted-T sign or A-frame sign. A permit will still cost $5.
Now that the revised ordinance has been approved, at least six applications are pending for the next committee meeting, said City Engineer Anthony Leotta.
Flowers by Mr. John owner Sean Pelkey said he's glad the council is allowing both types of signs.
A-frame signs are two pieces of wood that peak at the top and spread out at the bottom, and tend to blow over, Pelkey said. Inverted-T signs are weighted on the bottom and stand up to the Oswego winds, he said.
"It's going to help to inform the public of sales, specials and locations of businesses. In our slow economy, if we can have signage outside our businesses, it will help immensely. It will pique the customers' interest in shopping locally," said Pelkey, who's also chairman of the Greater Oswego Chamber of Commerce's Downtown Business Committee.
The chamber's executive director, Jennifer Hill, said she began talking to common councilors about the city code that applies to curb signs on public property after business owners approached her.
"We're pleased that it's behind us and businesses can apply for permits," Hill said. "I'm glad they will have a little flexibility in the signage that they use. They order these signs professionally. We need to make it as easy as possible for the businesses to advertise."
Pelkey, who has inverted-T signs outside his east and west side shops, said the signs help.
"After they went back up, people noticed the signs and (some customers) said it was their first time in the building," he said of his shop at Canal Commons, a gallery of shops near City Hall.
Pelkey and Bowman said they are glad the city listened to business owners' concerns.
"It will benefit our city," Pelkey said. "It will help to keep the local small businesses in town and keep Oswego a wonderful place to shop."
from www.syracuse.com
"I think it definitely has an impact because people can see when they're walking on the sidewalk that there are businesses in here," she said of her store and others inside the Canal Commons on West First Street. "I think it captures people's attention when they're walking down the street."
But for about six weeks this spring, Bowman and several other Oswego business owners were forced to take down their signs.
Oswego's zoning code allows A-frame signs on city sidewalks as long as the owner has a permit. But until this week, the code prohibited inverted-T signs - the type of sign Bowman and others use to promote their businesses.
Councilors voted 6-0 Monday night to amend the zoning ordinance so that both A-frame signs and inverted-T signs are allowed in public space. Signs cannot exceed 20 square feet, and they can only advertise the businesses it fronts during business hours. The signs also must be placed within four feet of the curb, except in areas where green space is within the first four feet.
"I think if they help the businesses out, they are worth having," Councilor Richard Atkins, D-7th Ward, said before voting Monday.
The resolution says marquee illuminated flashing portable signs are prohibited in both public space and on private property. It also states that the city will give business owners a sticker that must be placed on permitted signs to show they are in compliance with the code.
Earlier this year, the city sent letters to some business owners who were violating the code. The letters warned they'd be fined if they didn't remove any of the signs that did not have permits.
Councilors agreed May 22 to let business owners pay $5 apiece for temporary permits to
display their signs until the zoning ordinance was amended.
The resolution approved Monday night says the council must approve the use of public space, as well as a permit for anyone who wants to display an inverted-T sign or A-frame sign. A permit will still cost $5.
Now that the revised ordinance has been approved, at least six applications are pending for the next committee meeting, said City Engineer Anthony Leotta.
Flowers by Mr. John owner Sean Pelkey said he's glad the council is allowing both types of signs.
A-frame signs are two pieces of wood that peak at the top and spread out at the bottom, and tend to blow over, Pelkey said. Inverted-T signs are weighted on the bottom and stand up to the Oswego winds, he said.
"It's going to help to inform the public of sales, specials and locations of businesses. In our slow economy, if we can have signage outside our businesses, it will help immensely. It will pique the customers' interest in shopping locally," said Pelkey, who's also chairman of the Greater Oswego Chamber of Commerce's Downtown Business Committee.
The chamber's executive director, Jennifer Hill, said she began talking to common councilors about the city code that applies to curb signs on public property after business owners approached her.
"We're pleased that it's behind us and businesses can apply for permits," Hill said. "I'm glad they will have a little flexibility in the signage that they use. They order these signs professionally. We need to make it as easy as possible for the businesses to advertise."
Pelkey, who has inverted-T signs outside his east and west side shops, said the signs help.
"After they went back up, people noticed the signs and (some customers) said it was their first time in the building," he said of his shop at Canal Commons, a gallery of shops near City Hall.
Pelkey and Bowman said they are glad the city listened to business owners' concerns.
"It will benefit our city," Pelkey said. "It will help to keep the local small businesses in town and keep Oswego a wonderful place to shop."
from www.syracuse.com