Cornelius firefighters Matthew Saunders (left) and Terry Rafferty at the Fire Department’s 2013 Barbecue fundraiser . (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)
By JONATHAN COX
CorneliusNews.net
The town has taken a grilling after requiring nonprofits to take down signs advertising barbecue fundraisers in October. Now the Land Development Code Advisory Board is considering recommending changes to the signage policy. Though the issue will likely not come to a vote at the Town Board until early next year, town commissioners say that some revisions to the signage code are necessary.
“The issue of sign control and protecting the rights of nonprofits to advertise is of real importance to the (Land Development LDCAB,” town commissioner Jim Duke said. “I believe that we’ll be sending a few code revisions to the Town that will both ensure a beautiful town and provide for event signage for fund raising and special events.”
Duke explained that hand-carried signs could pose a safety issue to the sign-holder and potentially distract drivers. The board also wants to avoid letting the town become littered with “snipe signs” advertising fundraisers.
The areas of concern are the proliferation of small “snipe” signs [think the recent wave of election signs] and address the issue of hand-carried signs. Hand carried signs are of concern due to safety issues for the holders and the distraction they might cause to drivers.
Town Planning Director Wayne Herron said that the discussion will continue until the Dec. 9 committee meeting. A there was no recommendation from the board.
RELATED COVERAGE
NOV. 4, 2014, “Town to review rules after complaints over sign removal orders”
