The Town of Webb Board opened a discussion on proper signage display within the town, particularly within the business community, as it relates to the local ordinance, on Tuesday, July 12.
The discussion took place at the board’s regular meeting and was led off by words from Supervisor Robert Moore.
Moore said it is his opinion that the ordinance is not being complied with, whether inadvertently or not, and that there needs to be a conversation within the community to either bring about compliance either through enforcement or a change in the ordinance.
Moore said a strategy is needed and a team effort to bring it about.
He suggested that the town focus on discussion, education, and enforcement.
Mary Brophy Moore, Chairperson of the Zoning Board of Appeals, said the problem is not widespread.
“The vast majority [of business owners] do wonderful jobs of staying in the boundaries of the ordinance,” she said.
Robert Moore agreed, but said he has heard enough complaints regarding noncompliance to recognize that a problem exists.
At stake, he said, are the aesthetics and the character of the community.
We need to decide what we want our community to look like, he said.
Moore went on to ask if we, as a town, want to be attractive and receive comments about how clean and nice everything is, or whether we want the community to be littered with signs.
Kate Russell, who is part of the liaison committee to the code office, echoed Robert’s comments about the importance of signage controls.
But she pointed out that while she wants to receive favorable comments from Town of Webb visitors, the enforcement process is not a simple one for the code office.
Issuing citations and bringing about compliance can be a lengthy process, and a better system is needed, she said.
“It’s code and town law and it applies to all of us. We need to look at it and see how we can make the system work better, together,” she said.
Code enforcement officer Andy Getty, who was in attendance, as well as Steve Baker from his office, said he appreciated the manner by which this issue has been approached by the board.
And he confirmed that a compliance problem exists in the town with regard to signage.
The problem for his office is that once the summer season hits, the violations tend to explode and his office is ill-equipped to tackle the enforcement.
“The voluminous nature has been overwhelming to the office,” he said, suggesting that a team approach is needed to solve the problem.
Audience member Bob McCoy suggested sending a friendly, non-confrontational, form letter to violators. The letter should educate them as to the ordinance, and encourage them to comply voluntarily. After that a ticket would be issued.
Reed Proper, who serves on the Planning Board, said a standardization is needed that applies not only to businesses, but to non-profits, sports boosters and everyone else.
Dutch Vandervort said a degree of uniformity is needed, albeit one that still serves the community’s commercial needs.
Ted Richie suggested that it would be worthwhile to initiate contact with other short-season tourist towns in the Adirondacks in an attempt to see if any have been able to deal successfully with similar problems.
Robert Moore went on to say that he believes that the Adirondacks are a special place that everyone cares about, and that he sympathizes with the businesses who are trying to get noticed and draw people in.
He added that he is not asking for perfection, but rather a standard that can be adhered to, which will exhibit a sense of a community that cares.
Those who have questions as to whether a sign they are intending requires Planning Board approval should contact the Town of Webb Code Enforcement Office.
