Sign law proposal is opposed

[Erik Sine]

Sign law proposal is opposed

Business owners go to Fishkill hearing

By John Davis

Poughkeepsie Journal

FISHKILL - Todd Baright, owner of a car wash on Route 9, says the town's sign ordinance is going to hurt his and other local businesses.

"Small businesses require effective signage for consumer awareness and ease of locating," Baright said. "Most don't have an enormous advertising budget. The town government should put themselves in our shoes."

The owner of Foam & Wash Carwash was one of nearly a dozen Fishkill business owners and residents who spoke at a public hearing Saturday morning in town hall.

The hearing was on a proposed amendment to the 2005 sign ordinance, which among other things bans internally illuminated, neon and most free-standing signs. Many business owners see the ordinance as too restrictive.

The amendment would ease some of those restrictions.

"We realized there were things we needed to tweak a little bit," town Attorney Janis Gomez Anderson said.

While most free-standing signs would still be banned, the amendment would allow monument signs along roads - signs attached to a base or poles no higher than two feet.

The amendment would do away with a "sunset" provision that gives business owners 10 years to get rid of signs that don't conform to the law.

Instead, the nonconforming signs could stay up indefinitely. But once an owner plans to modify a nonconforming sign, it must then be brought into compliance.

Fishkill Supervisor Joan Pagones said the town adopted the sign regulations, in part, because it is a member of the Hudson River Greenway Compact. Members agree to abide by state smart growth principles and guidelines that promote the history and scenery of the region.

"Our plan is strike a balance between the business community and the economy and the environment," Pagones said.

Most who spoke Saturday said the amendment does not go far enough in easing the ban on internally illuminated and most free-standing signs.

Arvind Shah of the Ramada Inn on Route 9 said some potential customers won't see his motel if he ever has to take down the internally illuminated sign.

"They will be looking for a place while they are driving," he said. "Whatever we do, make sure it provides for visibility on Route 9."

Several business owners in plazas said it would help if they could at least post the name of their store along the road.

"I'm fighting to keep my business," said Joe Crifo, owner of Kitchens by J.N.C. in the Dutchess Shopping Center on Route 52.

Speaking in favor of more sign regulation was Barbara DeSimone, a Fishkill resident. She said the streamers, flags and other unconventional signs along Route 9D near Dutchess Stadium are not appropriate.

"It looks like a circus most of the time," she said. "While it might be good for business, it's ugly most of the time."

[joemomma]

Sign law proposal is opposed

Business owners go to Fishkill hearing

By John Davis

Poughkeepsie Journal

Speaking in favor of more sign regulation was Barbara DeSimone, a Fishkill resident. She said the streamers, flags and other unconventional signs along Route 9D near Dutchess Stadium are not appropriate.

"It looks like a circus most of the time," she said. "While it might be good for business, it's ugly most of the time."

And here's what's wrong with zoning regulations. I've never met Barbara DeSimone, a Fishkill resident, but I think she's ugly all the time. Should she be banned?

[signeye]

Sign law proposal is opposed

Business owners go to Fishkill hearing

By John Davis

Poughkeepsie Journal

FISHKILL - Todd Baright, owner of a car wash on Route 9, says the town's sign ordinance is going to hurt his and other local businesses.

"Small businesses require effective signage for consumer awareness and ease of locating," Baright said. "Most don't have an enormous advertising budget. The town government should put themselves in our shoes."

The owner of Foam & Wash Carwash was one of nearly a dozen Fishkill business owners and residents who spoke at a public hearing Saturday morning in town hall.

The hearing was on a proposed amendment to the 2005 sign ordinance, which among other things bans internally illuminated, neon and most free-standing signs. Many business owners see the ordinance as too restrictive.

The amendment would ease some of those restrictions.

"We realized there were things we needed to tweak a little bit," town Attorney Janis Gomez Anderson said.

While most free-standing signs would still be banned, the amendment would allow monument signs along roads - signs attached to a base or poles no higher than two feet.

The amendment would do away with a "sunset" provision that gives business owners 10 years to get rid of signs that don't conform to the law.

Instead, the nonconforming signs could stay up indefinitely. But once an owner plans to modify a nonconforming sign, it must then be brought into compliance.

Fishkill Supervisor Joan Pagones said the town adopted the sign regulations, in part, because it is a member of the Hudson River Greenway Compact. Members agree to abide by state smart growth principles and guidelines that promote the history and scenery of the region.

"Our plan is strike a balance between the business community and the economy and the environment," Pagones said.

Most who spoke Saturday said the amendment does not go far enough in easing the ban on internally illuminated and most free-standing signs.

Arvind Shah of the Ramada Inn on Route 9 said some potential customers won't see his motel if he ever has to take down the internally illuminated sign.

"They will be looking for a place while they are driving," he said. "Whatever we do, make sure it provides for visibility on Route 9."

Several business owners in plazas said it would help if they could at least post the name of their store along the road.

"I'm fighting to keep my business," said Joe Crifo, owner of Kitchens by J.N.C. in the Dutchess Shopping Center on Route 52.

Speaking in favor of more sign regulation was Barbara DeSimone, a Fishkill resident. She said the streamers, flags and other unconventional signs along Route 9D near Dutchess Stadium are not appropriate.

"It looks like a circus most of the time," she said. "While it might be good for business, it's ugly most of the time."

To Whom this does concern;

call 1-800 Whysign. It is the legal resource group retained by

International Sign Association that you can use for legal counsel free of charge.

Good luck