Spotsy will let business banners fly

Spotsylvania County businesses can now legally display up to two banners on their property.

The Board of Supervisors approved revisions to the county’s banner ordinance at a meeting Tuesday. Supervisor Benjamin Pitts cast the only dissenting vote.

 Just one person spoke at a public hearing on the issue, and he opposed the changes.

Banners are defined as signs made of lightweight fabric or a similar material. That definition includes the so-called sailboat signs, which resemble the sails of small boats and have become popular in recent years.

Previously, only new or relocated businesses could display up to two banners–and for only 90 days after opening.

Many businesses violated that rule, as evidenced by the proliferation of banners along busy roads like State Route 3. 

In fact, some businesses will continue to be in violation because they have more than two banners.

The total size of the two banners per business cannot exceed 60 square feet.

County staff will provide a report to the board on the revised banner ordinance in a year.

Check back for more on the banner ordinance.

In other sign news, the county sent a press release today explaining its agreement with the state to remove signs that are on Virginia Department of Transportation right of ways.

Provisions include:

• Any sign within five feet of the pavement edge within a VDOT right of way may be removed except between Noon on any Friday and Noon on any Monday.  During the prescribed weekend hours, signs that are less than six square feet may be within the five feet of the pavement edge.
• Any sign that is in a highway median can be removed at any time.
• Any sign that is over six square feet in size can be removed at any time.

Spotsylvania County will keep a record of when and where the sign removal inspections have occurred.

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/spotsygovt/2013/02/26/spotsy-will-let-business-banners-fly/