Last week, Oro Valley issued a press release allowing the continued use by businesses of A-Frame signs for next 2 years.'"Although our economy is beginning to recover, we are still on the mend," said Oro Valley Mayor Satish I. Hiremath. "The two-year extension of the temporary relief program ensures continuity of this strategy as the economy continues to recover from the recession.'"
In presenting her justification for recommending this extension, Oro Valley Economic Development Manager Amanda Jacobs responded to some of the observations we had posed in our prior postings. The extension was needed because:
- A UofA economist says that the "...recovery remains painfully slow by historical standards"
- The 2-year extension shows commitment to the community so that they can be confident in making an investment in the signage.
- The number 1 complaint of businesses in terms of doing business in Oro Valley is signage (mostly permanent signage).
Last week, we penned two postings on the sign codes. We had invested the time to travel the town to take pictures of the dozen or so A-Frame signs in use. We concluded that very few businesses use A-Frames. How beneficial could the signs be? Since that time, we complete our travels, concluding that many of the businesses using the A-Frames are advertising cheap-priced consumer products or services like:
- First Message: $39
- $299 Queen Set
- Free Coffee
- 5 cent copies
- Nails Special: "10% off"
Is this what the temporary relief intended?
A-Frames do help when there is a store in a secluded site, generally a site that is not facing consumer traffic. An A-Frame is helpful in this instance to let people know that the store is there. Only one of Oro Valley's A-Frames are used for that purpose. It is the H&R Block at Rooney Ranch.
The council did consider the option of extending the temporary use for 1 year. "The whole council supported a one year extension. I agreed with some form of extension as well. That is why I voted with Bill and Mike. We lost our vote" for a one year extension, noted Council Member Burns in an email to us. A one year extension vote would have been unanimous. However, Mayor Hiremath favored a 2-year extension and a 5-2 council vote, rather than supporting the united council position.
The council did consider the option of extending the temporary use for 1 year. "The whole council supported a one year extension. I agreed with some form of extension as well. That is why I voted with Bill and Mike. We lost our vote" for a one year extension, noted Council Member Burns in an email to us. A one year extension vote would have been unanimous. However, Mayor Hiremath favored a 2-year extension and a 5-2 council vote, rather than supporting the united council position.
The 2 year extension makes the temporary program a 5 year program. "How temporary is a temporary code that has been in 5 years?" asked Council Member Zinkin.
Our answer: Its permanent.
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3 comments:
What would have been wrong to simply revisit the question in a year's time? Once again, we have the special interest majority imposing its will, almost as a spiteful reminder to everyone on the Council who is in charge. Common sense, thoughtful analysis, requiring data that assesses local economic improvement, determining actual benefit of these A-frame signs - all of this takes a back seat to rationality and respect for the many valid reasons why these rules are on the books in the first place.
Watering down and waiving these rules, especially over an unreasonably long time, is just plain poor decision making.
Do these people deserve to remain in office?
The commentary during debate was enlightening - I didn't know that the Mayor and certain staff are economic experts able to ascertain the depth of the recession, which still apparently exists. Also enlightening was Mr. Perry's comments about not even asking for a 2 year extension, but favors a one year extension. Town staff was pushing for two years - why would that be?
I heard repeatedly about how "business friendly" Oro Valley should be, but I didn't hear much about respect for the Oro Valley residents' expectation that Oro Valley remain sign clutter free. Council member Snider expressed comments that there were no complaints about A-frame signs, disregarding the fact that there were multiple speakers who addressed the Council and stood right in front of her opposing waiver extensions. And as noted, no business owners stated their "case" in front of the Council.
How is it that this Council can cavalierly add 24 months to this so-called waiver absent hard data, while blindly prognosticating that we are still in a "recession" and will continue to be for 2 more years?
No.
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