Sign Ordinance Disputed

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  December 12 2013.  Rick Rose appeared before the City Council on behalf of the local Chamber of Commerce.  Rose is the owner of the Dance Place and is responsible for all of the Friday and Saturday night dances held during the summer. 

He told the City Council that the sign ordinance was prohibiting businesses from being able to advertise their businesses.  He accused the Board of not getting any input from the local businesses in the process of writing this ordinance. 

He was told that the ordinance was not put in place until after about twelve to fourteen meetings with the local businessmen and general public invited to every meeting.  These meetings were public meetings and posted for everyone to see.  Actually, a special group of business people was selected and was in charge of the direction taken by the sign ordinance.  Also, he was told that the current ordinance is actually less restrictive than the prior one.  The ordinance was necessary to protect the City from liability issues, allowing everyone the same opportunities, being consistent with all the businesses, and actually giving them more freedom than in the past.Before adopting the current ordinance, there was no way of enforcing misuse of the old sign ordinance. 

The length of the document of the current ordinance was an issue for Rose.  He was told that the ordinance document is long because it contains ways to keep track of what is happing with signage in the City and enforcement steps that will be taken by the City.  Currently only warnings have been given allowing business people time to understand and know what they can and cannot do in advertising their business.  However, enforcement will begin this next year.

It was suggested by the Council that Danny White, the City Administrator, be invited to speak to the Chamber concerning this ordinance.  He would be able to explain to the business owners how the ordinance came about, what they can and can’t do to be in compliance, and answer any questions they may have.

Rose left the meeting indicating that he felt the Council was being unfair and trying to thwart business success.  He, however, said perhaps the Chamber could have  White come to their next meeting.