Largo is a land of big signs (tons of them) and handsoff enforcement. The City Council seeks a review and recommendations.
By SHANNON TAN
Published October 14, 2004
LARGO - It has been five years since the city updated its sign ordinance.
There's sign clutter everywhere: paintings on buildings. Window signs galore. A plethora of temporary signs.
And the current regulations aren't being strictly enforced.
On Tuesday, the City Commission decided to form an advisory committee to review the sign code and recommend changes.
"Signs are one of the most significant factors in the appearance and image of the community," said Carol Stricklin, assistant community development director. "But it's critical to balance that aesthetic interest with the need of businesses to advertise and identify their place of business."
It's a "self-defeatist function" of advertising that if there are too many signs, a passer-by won't be able to make out any one in particular, Stricklin said.
Commissioner Gay Gentry said consumers would probably be insulted that a company has multiple signs advertising the name of the business.
"Hey, I caught on the first time," Gentry said. "Why would I want to do business with someone who thinks I'm an idiot?"
In Largo, the code allows for larger signs than in neighboring cities such as Clearwater. The area for a sign is based on the building or site size.
Largo allows signs of up to 150 square feet for free-standing and wall signs, and monument signs of up to 25 feet. Other cities have stricter restrictions.
Older signs erected under previous codes can remain on the property until the signs are replaced or the business undergoes changes. The signs then have to be removed, but the city's code enforcement officers have not been enforcing that rule.
"We will have a room full of very angry businesses saying, "The city is trying to put me out of business' if we try to enforce the code," said City Manager Steven Stanton.
Vice Mayor Pat Gerard said the city staff should first let businesses know that the sign ordinance is going to be reviewed.
Business owners need to be invited to public meetings and asked to volunteer for the advisory committee, she said.
