Largo commissioners are trying a new policy that will let shops have 30 more days to hang their advertisements for a $50 fee.
By SHANNON TAN
Published February 13, 2004
LARGO - Potential customers driving by local businesses will get to see immediately whether a business has new menu changes, seasonal sales or a change in management, now that the city is allowing them to put up temporary banners more often.
The previous policy dictated that businesses could put up banners only during their grand openings and closing sales for 15 days during each event, but business owners told city officials they wanted to attract customers who might otherwise whiz by their stores without so much as a second look.
Commissioners decided Tuesday to give them what they want, for now.
For one year, businesses can fork out $50 for a permit to put up a temporary banner for one 30-day period, or two 15-day periods during that year.
If businesses leave the banners up after that time, the code enforcement department will be contacted.
After that trial period, officials will re-evaluate the policy. City employees will use computer software to keep track of how long each business has had a banner up.
Several commissioners expressed concern that the changes could result in a code enforcement nightmare.
"I have no problem with making rules," said Commissioner Gay Gentry. "But I really have a problem with making rules you can't enforce or rules you can't enforce because you don't have enough people."
Terry Moore, manager of Downtown Largo Main Street Association, said the group had some reservations about whether the policy should apply to the city's two community redevelopment districts - Clearwater-Largo Road and West Bay Drive.
"It's not that Main Street is opposed to it," she said, "It just needed more thought."
She told commissioners, "You have the obligation to prevent visual blight."
Commissioner Pat Gerard pointed out that "blight is in the eye of the beholder."
If there's blight, Gerard said, then they'll do away with the policy.
The Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey, which found out that more than 90 percent of its members supported the new temporary signs policy.
On Feb. 23, Downtown Main Street's board will discuss whether a task force should be created to investigate the policy first.
Businesses that are located near sidewalks would probably hang banners from awnings, which is unattractive, said Commissioner Pat Burke.
Commissioner Charlie Harper asked if vacant buildings look any better.
"We've got empty buildings all over the city," he said.
Commissioners also tackled the question of what plants the city should use for medians.
"I'd like to see us planting things that are hardy and don't require much maintenance," Gerard said.
Vice Mayor Harriet Crozier was propalms.
Indian date palms need to be trimmed only once a year.
Joan Byrne, recreation, parks and arts director, said the department was trying to drum up more interest in median sponsorships. About half the city's available medians are sponsored by businesses paying $250 to $2,000 a median.
Commissioners decided to put off making a decision until staffers come up with a plan on plantings.
