Wednesday, June 25, 2003
|
Wednesday, June 25, 2003 |
Publix's request for bigger sign denied by TyroneBy MICHAEL
BOYLAN
Several items on the Tyrone Town Council agenda last Thursday were continued to the July 17 meeting. Two items concerning rezonings were continued because the town council received results of a traffic study late thursday afternoon and had had no time to review it. Another item was continued when applicant Burt Clark requested a continuance until Mayor Sheryl Lee returned from vacation so he could have the benefit of a full council voting on his rezoning request. Publix's request for relief from the sign ordinance was not continued to a later meeting, nor was it approved. It was, however, one of the agenda's more entertaining items. The Tyrone sign ordinance currently states that the maximum size for signs is 50 square feet. Edward Bohan, a spokesperson for Publix addressing the council, stated that their deisre for a sign is 132.7 square feet. "Our sign is designed to fit our storefront proportionally," said Bohan. "Our sign is meant to be aesthetically pleasing and clearly visible. it makes a statement about our profesionalism." Bohan then stated that other shops in the plaza would have signs that stretch for the entirety of their storefront and that because Publix would be farther off the road than many of their other locations, their sign should be allowed to be bigger than 50 feet. Members of the council and the audience disagreed. "The 4,800 residents of Tyrone and most of the residents in Peachtree City know that the Publix is coming," said Councilman Paul Letourneau. "We have a sign ordinance for a reason and you knew what the sign ordinance was before you decided on this location. We don't want large signs that will stick out like a sore thumb." Bohan then mentioned a smaller sign might be a safety concern. "All Publix stores look the same, so if a driver passes the building and doesn't see the same large sign, he or she may take their eyes off the road to look over at the building to see what it is. An accident could occur in those two to three seconds." Most of the people in attendance began to chuckle at Bohan's reach, including Bohan himself. Town manager Barry Amos responded that if Publix was so concerned about safety, perhaps they would reconsider their right-in, right-out entrance. Councilman Michael Smola disagreed with his colleagues, though. "I think the bigger sign is more in proportion," said Smola. "Perhaps our standards are outmoded as when the sign ordinance was first created, we did not have a building the size of Publix." Publix's request was denied 2-1. In addition to a 50-foot sign on the storefront, there will be a sign on the road. Citizens can be assured that when the store opens this fall, they won't miss it.
|
||