Sign Sign Everywhere A Sign

Happy 2009! Another year, another blog. Or two. We'll see.

The town of Morrisville continues discussions on the Land Use and Transportation Plans, has started early budget talks and has a new set of Goals and Initiatives in the works. The time is near for a redo of zoning categories. And Park West Village? Well.... funny you should ask.

2008 was not good to retailers. Not great to restaurants, either. Or gyms. Understandably, Park West developers, while working with the town on approval of construction drawings, seems in no big hurry. The giant pile of rubble that is 80% of the site's tax value has been in place for months. Again, understandable. There's no hurry.

So why the big rush to give the developer the ok to violate our sign ordinance? You know, the one that reads in part "Off-premise signs are not permitted." That one. The one that keeps multiple parcel property owners from erecting signs hither and yon if the business advertised is more yon than hither. It's a rule. A good one. One that has been adhered to by most.

Target wants a sign on Morrisville Parkway. But Park West property does not front Morrisville Pkwy. So that's a problem. The developer owns two parcels on the Pkwy, one zoned General Business and the other Industrial Management. Neither is part of Park West Regional Activity Center. Those properties are off the premises. As such, the dirt included in those parcels can't hold up a sign advertising Target. What to do, what to do.... one suggestion - the developer could combine one or both of them with existing Park West proper. A zoning change and public hearing would be required. Minor details. Likely no big deal.

So why would the town allow our sign ordinance to be violated in light of the easy fix? I haven't the foggiest. But fair is fair. If it's ok for Park West to violate the ordinance, it should be ok for any owner of multiple parcels of property in Morrisville to likewise plant signs both hither AND yon. Might even make sense for land owners wanting to make a buck to sell small pieces of property to low visibility businesses for sign placement.

Bottom line - if we're not going to enforce the sign ordinance currently in place, or worse, enforce sections of it arbitrarily, it should be revised. What's more, the revision discussion is one that should take place in an open meeting with elected officials' positions clearly stated.

Like I said.... Happy 2009. Here's hoping for positive changes during this local election year.