County Unleashes Banners for Business, Signs for Parks

Sarasota County Commissioners loosened and cheapened its control over business banners on Tuesday. They cut the permit price by two-thirds, and allowed staff to use wide discretion. The action did not even require a vote. 

The huge change in policy came following instruction to staff on July 12 when Commission Chair Nora Patterson said, “We should have temporary use permits to allow temporary banners for a relatively cheap fee.”

The old permit cost $140 to hang a banner, and only for a grand opening. The new policy cut the fee to $50, and basically allows a business to hang a banner four times a year for a two-week period each time.

Donna Thompson with zoning administration came back Tuesday, and suggested the price cut, and asked for commission instruction on how long the banners could be displayed. She said the new plan “limits each business to four [permits] per year, per parcel, at two weeks per incident.”

Patterson said, “We need to know what the rules are as you are going to apply them. Can you outline your general intentions?”

Thompson said the zoning administrator, who issues the permits, would have substantial discretion for approval. “A business can request a temporary use permit with the discretion of the zoning administrator to approve for a time period as requested.”

“Could somebody fly one for a year?” asked Patterson. 

“They could, but I feel pretty confident he would keep it in line with the code and allow two weeks. All year would be a permanent sign,” said Thompson.

“These banners are all over the county,” said Patterson. “It isn’t working well now either.”

Commissioner Jon Thaxton said, because of the latitude given the zoning administrator, no change to the code or ordinance was required. “Staff is just telling us where they’re headed. I’m OK with going with this and see what happens,” he said. 

“I’ll bring it back if there are places with banners up all year, or folks say its unfairly administered,” said Patterson. “We’ll see what happens.” 

The issue was kicked off by an email to Patterson last summer from the organizer of a weekend event. “They were cited, and told they needed a $140 permit,” she said at the time. Before the commission sent staff off to look at new rules and policies, Commissioner Joe Barbetta warned in July, “I don’t want a proliferation of banners.”

In a similar action, commissioners turned the parks and recreation staff loose to craft standards for donations, sponsorships and memorials in county parks. At present the ball fields, BMX track and the tennis center at Payne Park have business advertising. Should it be expanded to include picnic shelters, playgrounds, dog parks, kiosks along the Legacy Trail and other areas?

Commissioners told Parks and Recreation General Manager Carolyn Brown to use her discretion too. “I don’t see how we can set specific rules,” said Patterson.

Thaxton objected to signs in undeveloped areas. “One sign in an all-green area will attract a lot of attention, but do we want the view interrupted by that single sign?” he asked. 

Brown said she would only consider signs and memorials in “built environments like playgrounds, picnic shelters, inside a building, on a ball field.” With that, she got the go-ahead, again without a formal vote.

“We’re not going to have a fit if you go beyond what we think is appropriate,” said Patterson. “So the risks are small.”