Council lacks courage to reject sign variance

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Council lacks courage to reject sign variance

Posted by

Mark Beardsley

in Opinions

Wednesday, July 23. 2008

Comments (13)

The Commerce City Council’s refusal to turn down Walgreens’ request for a variance in the sign ordinance bodes ill for the regulation of signs in the future.

Like a promiscuous teenager, the council can’t muster the resolve to say “no.” Walgreens wants something the city ordinance does not allow. The city planning commission recommended that the request be denied.

What happens with the sign is of little importance by itself. But giving Walgreens’ permission for a sign 79 percent larger than the ordinance is further evidence that Commerce lacks the courage to enforce its ordinances. The city is re-writing its sign ordinance, but a new ordinance is of little value if the city council lacks the courage to hold businesses to its standards.

More than a new ordinance, Commerce needs city council members with enough backbone to enforce the ordinances it passes. From its sign ordinance to its skateboard ordinance the city has demonstrated time and time again that it will not enforce the laws it creates.

Commerce needs officials with backbone a lot more than Walgreens needs a sign variance.

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#1 Anonymous on 07/23/08 at 04:32 PM [Reply]

I bet if it was a campaign sign for one of their kids it would be ok to go around the sign ordinance.

#2 Anonymous on 07/24/08 at 03:20 PM [Reply]

It seems to me by making this decision the members of the city council clearly showed they are not lacking backbone. By not blindly accepting a biased recommendation from a planning commission with an apparent conflict of interest, the city council demonstrated they could "muster the resolve to say no" - to a planning commission acting not in the best interest of the community, but in the interest of protecting the family of the planning commission chairman. The Walgreen's sign variance is a key component in the success of this business seeking to add value to the community. The issue with the sign is not about being able to find Walgreen's. Everyone in Commerce already knows where Walgreen's will be located even though construction is not yet completed. The issue at stake is marketing strategy - getting people into the store. People are not going to do business with a store simply because the store exists. A sufficient sign is necessary for Walgreen's strategy of advertising sale items (often loss leaders) to attract people into the store. Walgreen's has an established history of effectively employing this method of generating revenue. The city council has stepped up and made an exception to the sign ordinance because common sense and logic dictates that this new business seeking to be successful and bolster the local economy will have a much greater chance of doing so when allowed to utilize their proven marketing apparatus. Commerce does not need another vacant building in the downtown area standing as a remnant of a failed business. The city council is to be commended for their courage in granting this sign variance. They have taken a stand for the economic stability of the community, and against those who would place their personal interests above those of the citizens of Commerce.

#2.1 Anonymous on 07/24/08 at 07:06 PM [Reply]

So a big sign is the secret to Walgreens' success? Any sign smaller than the one they're seeking is insufficient?

#2.1.1 Anonymous on 07/25/08 at 07:24 AM [Reply]

It isn't the size, it is a scrolling marque that the city does not see fit.

#2.1.2 Anonymous on 07/25/08 at 10:01 AM [Reply]

To answer the first question, a big sign is not the secret to Walgreen's success, but it is a contributing factor. A business needs to be able to adequately market itself. Why not use their time tested and proven method? And to answer the second question, I believe the sign size specified in the ordinance is insufficient for their purposes. Have you ever seen a Walgreen's?

#2.1.2.1 Anonymous on 07/29/08 at 09:54 PM [Reply]

Can I assume your last name is Walgreen? I'm not taking any position on the council's action, but your vehement defense of Walgreens' marketing strategy is not that of a casual reader.

#2.1.2.1.1 Anonymous on 07/30/08 at 08:57 AM [Reply]

No, I'm actually just a regular citizen of Commerce. It's not so much that I'm that big a fan of Walgreen's (or opposed to CVS) in particular but rather just tired of local politicians working the good ole' boy system at the expense of the citizens and, in this case, the local economy. I think that if a business such as Walgreen's is allowed to open, they should be given the tools they need to succeed, even if that success may not serve the best interests of the family of the planning commission chairman (whose brother is the head pharmacist at CVS). I believe that if this business is successful it will benefit the economic stability of the community as a whole. I feel that a logical defense of the Walgreen's marketing strategy is the best way to dispel the bias involved in this issue and encourage objectivity.

#2.1.2.1.1.1 Irratible at ignorance on 07/30/08 at 01:16 PM [Reply]

So - does everybody around here just assume that because the planning commission chairman happens to be related to the CVS pharmacist is why they are denying Walgreens the sign variance? I think the whole concept of "look at every other walgreen's sign" is a bunch of nonsense. Have you ever seen any other CVS? Most of the other CVS signs I have seen are a great deal larger than the one here in Commerce.

Have you ever thought to research through records and see what process CVS had to go through to get their sign? I'm sure they didn't get the exact original sign they wanted.

I think the planning commission does a great job trying to keep this beautiful city from turning into Gwinnett County - whether it be commercial or residential. The City Council on the other hand, start playing by the rules

#2.1.2.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 07/30/08 at 02:15 PM [Reply]

So why didn't the planning commission chairman excuse himself from making a recommendation when there was a conflict of interest? Why doesn't he "start playing by the rules"?

#2.1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 07/31/08 at 08:05 PM [Reply]

The planning commissio should have not allowed members "kin" to CVS pharmacist to be involved or vote. Conflict of interest! I am tired of hearing about the Walgreens sign! Afraid of a little competation and that this town might prosper and get a few new jobs! How about moving on and working on things of more importance. LOOK at Corner Station & Hardee's sign

#2.1.3 Anonymous on 07/25/08 at 10:18 AM [Reply]

It's important enough for them to be this persistent in their request for a variance. I think an established business has a better idea of what they need to succeed than people who afraid that a big sign will suddenly turn Commerce into another Gwinnett County.

#2.2 Anonymous on 07/24/08 at 08:22 PM [Reply]

The city council has not done anything. They have merely begun a game of tennis with the planning commission. The ordinance is not out dated, but lacks a strong architectural component that would have easily remedied this issue. The problem is that the council has very little actual knowledge of their own codes. For a group who has been there collectively half a century, one would think they could have navigated this better.

I agree with the first poster. I read in the paper and saw the mayor's son's banner. They were willing to break law and codes for the power inherited with that race. Maybe Walgreens should have contributed to his campaign.

#3 kevin w on 07/25/08 at 03:30 PM [Reply]

i think that if walgreens gets a bigger sign then cvs should be able to get one too... what gets me as a commerce resident is not the sign but this... if you drive by the building site you will see a fire hose going to the job site from the hydrant. but look a little closer and you'll see no meter so the water is free for them.. well i wish i can get free water from the city of commerce and if they are paying for the water how does the city calculate the use ?? p.s. be careful if your daughter walks by the job site because the hispanic workers will start hoopin and hollerin at her and that gets me a little mad so much for the american worker !!

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