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Independence, MO —
Perhaps you’ve noticed fewer signs along Independence’s most-traveled corridors.
With 2012 marking the first full year of the city’s new sign ordinance, volunteers and staff are hoping this year is just as successful in removing and deterring the placement of signs in city rights of way.
“There is a definitely a decline in the signs that you see in the city rights of way,” said sign removing volunteer Dr. Don Potts, estimating a 75 to 80 percent decrease in the areas he regularly travels.
In November 2011, the City Council approved a change to the City Code, placing more enforcement on the violation of illegal signs in the city’s rights of way or on public property. The enforcement can be applied to the person or business placing the sign, the business or organization advertised on the sign or the owner of the property or vehicle on which the sign is placed.
Between city staff and volunteers, 732 signs were removed in 2012, said Tom Scannell, the city’s assistant director of the Community Development Department. Those signs were entered into a database, Scannell said, and the businesses or individuals were notified by letter, informing them of the rules and what is and isn’t allowed.
Businesses that violate the City Code a second time are ticketed and taken to Municipal Court. In 2012, 91 tickets were written, with 45 cases heard at Municipal Court.
All 45 of those defendants were found guilty, Scannell said, and the remaining cases are going to Municipal Court early this year.
Judge Garry Helm sets the fines, which Scannell said are usually about $150, plus court expenses.
In his sign-removing efforts, Potts doesn’t drive around town seeking out signs to remove. He takes them down as he’s traveling to and from his involvement in other community activities. Potts said he mostly removes signs from the 39th Street retail corridor.
“However, that’s not a problem anymore,” he said of that area. “Very few signs show up around there now.”
Although more signs went up around Christmastime for lights services and holiday sales, Potts said he thinks more retailers are becoming aware of the rules, even if they haven’t been personally contacted.
When he contacts people about the signs and their violations, Potts said an overwhelming majority of those contacted are appreciative.
“They didn’t know about the ordinance, and they thanked me,” he said. “Basically, most of the people are really, really receptive and very helpful.”
Perhaps you’ve noticed fewer signs along Independence’s most-traveled corridors.
With 2012 marking the first full year of the city’s new sign ordinance, volunteers and staff are hoping this year is just as successful in removing and deterring the placement of signs in city rights of way.
“There is a definitely a decline in the signs that you see in the city rights of way,” said sign removing volunteer Dr. Don Potts, estimating a 75 to 80 percent decrease in the areas he regularly travels.
In November 2011, the City Council approved a change to the City Code, placing more enforcement on the violation of illegal signs in the city’s rights of way or on public property. The enforcement can be applied to the person or business placing the sign, the business or organization advertised on the sign or the owner of the property or vehicle on which the sign is placed.
Between city staff and volunteers, 732 signs were removed in 2012, said Tom Scannell, the city’s assistant director of the Community Development Department. Those signs were entered into a database, Scannell said, and the businesses or individuals were notified by letter, informing them of the rules and what is and isn’t allowed.
Businesses that violate the City Code a second time are ticketed and taken to Municipal Court. In 2012, 91 tickets were written, with 45 cases heard at Municipal Court.
All 45 of those defendants were found guilty, Scannell said, and the remaining cases are going to Municipal Court early this year.
Judge Garry Helm sets the fines, which Scannell said are usually about $150, plus court expenses.
In his sign-removing efforts, Potts doesn’t drive around town seeking out signs to remove. He takes them down as he’s traveling to and from his involvement in other community activities. Potts said he mostly removes signs from the 39th Street retail corridor.
“However, that’s not a problem anymore,” he said of that area. “Very few signs show up around there now.”
Although more signs went up around Christmastime for lights services and holiday sales, Potts said he thinks more retailers are becoming aware of the rules, even if they haven’t been personally contacted.
When he contacts people about the signs and their violations, Potts said an overwhelming majority of those contacted are appreciative.
“They didn’t know about the ordinance, and they thanked me,” he said. “Basically, most of the people are really, really receptive and very helpful.”
Still, Potts said, some improvements could be made. For example, he said, the city could hand out a copy of the sign ordinance when someone applies for a new business permit. The ordinance also should be more strictly enforced with political candidates, Potts said.
“We kind of went soft on the political signs (during this last election),” he said.
Potts said he is OK with lost/found pet signs placed on utility poles, but he did remove a couple several weeks ago that were taped to city stop signs. He also thinks that passersby see signs better anyway when they are placed in the line of sight, back in the distance, rather than in a right of way.
“I think there’s an advantage to having them back that far,” Potts said.
Overall, the expectations for 2013 are high. Scannell said city staff, too, are noticing fewer signs.
“Our hope is that with the second year, we’ll see even fewer signs,” he said. “We’ll continue to remove them as we see them.”
