Our community creates local sign laws, not the code office

EDUCATION & AWARENESS

In March of this year, the “Talking Code” column will have run for six years in The Weekly Adirondack.

It was conceived in cooperation with The Weekly Adirondack in an effort to reach out to anyone who wishes to read little bits of information regarding codes.

It did not matter if the topic was local zoning codes, NY State Building or Fire codes, or even something to do with the Adirondack Park Agency.

The important thing was getting the message out and to offer a little Education and provide a source of awareness regarding regulatory affairs in our world.

To make the message a little more interesting, real life events are often used to help get the message across. Of course, actual names are left out.

The use of “Questions & Answers” has proven an effective method, because it can closely portray how the actual conversation went!

But in each article the underlying issue was a certain code, rule, law or requirement that is often misunderstood or completely unknown.

Over the past year there have been “Talking Code” articles regarding the excessive usage of signage.There were also a few letters to the editor. There was one that was particularly long and detailed.

However, that one mixed the zoning laws and motor vehicle laws in addressing signs.

But the point was clear, there are a lot of signs out there, sometimes more than we realize.

Different things are important to different people.

When the remedy or solution to what is perceived to be excessive use of signage around town was discussed, it was pretty clear that most do not understand what the current sign ordinance is.

What’s allowed, what’s prohibited, who is exempted and what, if any, permits are required? Also clear is that the task of enforcing the ordinance can sometimes be daunting.

When someone is shown they have an inappropriate sign and they show a voluntary effort to comply, enforcement becomes easy.

When someone snubs our local law, and acts with a selfish inclination without regard to that local law, enforcement becomes challenging.

Often taking their frustrations out on the Code Office, they forget these laws were written by the community, not this office.

Some who read and try to understand the sign ordinance, as written, feel the requirements are fairly reasonable. In some cases even quite liberal.

Maybe nothing needs to be fixed. Or maybe just focus on the few things that seem to be out of line.

But on the whole, it may be a pretty good sign law compared with many other communities.

So what is the problem?

Education and awareness. They are powerful tools.

In an attempt to get the message out as to what our sign ordinance is all about, occasionally a portion of the sign ordinance is printed along with this article.

Again the “Talking Code” column was intended to touch on many different topics, and not get bogged down with any one particular issue.

What is a sign?… Straight from the sign ordinance:

Section 18-A-1-a: For the purposes of this section, “sign” shall mean any device affixed to, painted upon, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or land which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business.

The meaning of “sign” shall not include:

1. Any sign erected by Federal, State, or local government or agency thereof;  2. Any poster placed temporarily to advertise a civic event or an event sponsored by a house of worship, school, library, museum, and veteran or community service organization. 3. Any patriotic flag or banner not used for commercial advertising purposes. 4. Any legal outdoor display of merchandise as per Article IV, section 12-H of this Ordinance.

Anyone wanting a copy of the sign ordinance may pick one up at the Code Office, or call 369-3001 and one could be e-mailed to you.

It is anticipated that within one year everything will be available on-line as well.