From this week’s Issues Update:
The first meeting of the Sign Review Committee was held on Tuesday, May 25, 2010. This committee was created at the request of the Zoning Commission to review key issues involving sign regulations of the Zoning Ordinance. The 14?member Committee will meet monthly and intends to forward its recommendations to the Zoning Commission by December 2010.
I happen to be on this committee. All the meetings are open for public observation and will be posted. The first meeting was spent getting acquainted with each other, getting an overview of the current sign ordinance and the portions of it we will be reviewing (it’s not a comprehensive review — we’re just looking at some specific parts of it), and setting the meeting schedule.
The committee members are, in no particular order:
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And the sign regulation issues we will be reviewing are:
- Size of digital display area
- Definition of sign area
- Violation penalties/enforcement
- Size of wall signs and freestanding signs
- Multiple application of the same sign (franchise)
- Signs for multi-family development
- Billboard extensions
- Inflatable signs
- Temporary banners/signs
Something I learned at the first meeting: Peoria used to have an enforcement officer on staff who was assigned solely to zoning violations. As a result of budget cuts, that position is gone and zoning enforcement is now assigned to planners. Each planner is responsible for a defined geographical area. Enforcement is complaint-driven.
Also, the last item on the list of issues to be reviewed, temporary banners/signs, were discussed quite a bit at the first meeting. Apparently, those large banners you see on the sides of businesses or staked in the ground in front of businesses require a permit. Few businesses actually apply for a permit, however. It could be that businesses are simply unaware that these signs are regulated. Or it could be that businesses are taking advantage of lax enforcement.
The next meeting is June 22 at 10 a.m. in Suite 402 of the twin towers (456 Fulton St.) where the City’s Planning and Growth Department is located.
I travel quite a bit around the country. One of the most enjoyable things is my regular trips to Hawaii and seeing NO BILLBOARDS at all. Signs are dramatically limited in size and quantity and business does just fine without them. Why does the Peoria area think that these signs are so necessary? Why do they have to be lit up at night? Please, help to get rid of these signs, not allow even more.
Advertising is the largest dollar spent in this country overall.You see a minimum of 500 signs a day no matter how short your drive. Advertising on tv, radio, computers, streets, in businesses and restaurants, etc.. You never get away from it. Even in Hawaii where it is restricted you don’t get away from it. It is a huge business and its everywhere. We could probably pay the salary of an employee for the city to just ticket the people that put up illegal signs and those that don’t take down their garage/yard sale signs long after the sales are over. They look very tacky in shreds on local utility poles and trees. I’m sure we could probably pay the salary of a part time person with these fines, and it would beautify the landscape at the same time.
One can turn off the television or radio. One can choose not to buy a newspaper or magazine. One cannot choose not to see the large, obnoxious billboards that clutter up Peoria.
I was driving down Wisconsin Ave. the other day. As I approached the Kroger store, from the south, I couldn’t believe the light poles. They have so many nails and staples in them a large magnet could easily flatten them. Next time I’m taking my camera.
Advertising is the largest dollar spent in this country
I am not surprised by that, although I do think there should be some kind restrictions as to what one can say in advertising… you know like limiting it to the truth, and on topic. (Not having half naked ladies selling beer or pharmaceutical companies peddling there prescriptions drugs to unwitting viewers, people selling gold coins as if they were going to increase in value anytime within one’s life time…
If we could just get rid of advertising and insurance companies this country would be in a lot better shape.
Another do nothing committee that will make it harder on any business that is not connected with or uses a certain sign company to put up a sign.
Does anyone know if there is a committee, consultant, board, association etc..capital? Maybe Peoria could go for that? Tourist opportunity? Visit Peoria! Do Nothing Organization Capital! Visit Peoria! City of a Thousand Committees!
Of course we need to protect people from themselves Kcdad. Im sure no one can make desicions outside of what a commercial tells them.
My biggest objection to advertising is tv commercials, which this committee has no control over. FCC only allows certain percentage of time for commercials, but the companies get around that by putting in overlays on the screen while the program is going on. You see it down on the bottom of the screen or along side even sometimes at the top of the screen. This infringes on the alotted time for commercials without breaking into the programming. With today’s technology they can get 12 to 15 commercials in a break in the programming. This is inundating us constantly. Pretty soon your brain gets flooded beyond restraint and you give in and buy. Pretty soon we will be breaking into commercials to see the programming.
“I do think there should be some kind restrictions as to what one can say in advertising… you know like limiting it to the truth…”
Maybe we should just throw out the First Amendment also.
“Im sure no one can make desicions outside of what a commercial tells them.”
It isn’t about protecting those who can make decisions, it about protecting those who BELIEVE what they think are honest advertisements… good grief, many people believed LOST was real. They think American Idol is real. They think REALITY is what TV says it is…
At some point the FTC has to enforce truth in advertising laws. Sooner or later, Big Pharm has to be prohibited from hawking their snake oil on public airwaves. With our education system so pitiful and useless, the people need to be protected from those who would exploit them… it is no different than the financial ponzi schemes and pyramid scams.
The First Amendment does not apply to lies, deceit or deliberate malfeasance.
It is and always was about speaking out against the government.
“Pretty soon we will be breaking into commercials to see the programming.”
(Have you watched PBS’ fund raising weeks?)
This product is brought to you by ____________ (name your favorite program)
Peoria is blanketed with visual clutter and currently there are few controls to make signs (or anything for that matter)appear aesthetically pleasing. How will Peoria be able to conquer this type of blight when the primary sign makers sit on your committee?
When the Heart of Peoria Commission and the Form Based Code committee attempted to write a system of controls we experienced tremendous push back by developers, sign makers, and the Department of Planning and Growth.
We are not a city that leads- rather our policy makers (elected officials) are lead around by special interests.
Peoria policy makers do not seem to understand that visual clutter and bad design create never ending problems.
CJ, I wish your committee good luck.
I was told by the city that Retro Tech could not put up a sign designating our parking lot since there is no wall to attach a sign to and free standing signs are forbidden on the west bluff. So we cannot direct our customers to our own parking lot while the bar next door tows our low income and physically challenged constituency who happen to park in the wrong spaces.
What ever happened to “Word of mouth is the best advertising”???
Oh… I know. Your friends don’t usually lie to you about crappy businesses.
Ms. Akeson sez: “How will Peoria be able to conquer this type of blight when the primary sign makers sit on your committee?”
Exactly! Another do nothing committee with the same old usual suspects (mostly) I’m sure the Hardin Brothers will see to it.
Maybe Peoria should form a committee to form a committee that has no people on it that the committee would have a conflict of interest with. This committee is like making up one with Pirates watching the gold chest.
While they collude and set prices and standards
I am a business owner,long term Peoria resident and taxpayer who happens to think Peoria needs to change its normal way of doing business if it wants to avoid its current spiral. I’d like to know how this committee was formed. Is it supposed to represent and protect the interests of the citizens?
Of the 14 members listed, 10 have obvious potential conflicts of interest.
We cannot keep having the same people make the same bad decisions without regard for their effect on the rest of us.
Amen to Jeff’s comments!
C.J. Summers can complain to the high heavens (most often rightfully so) about pretty much everything that the City does and he gets appointed to City committees. EmergePeoria talks about issues facing her community and Alma Brown won’t even return her call to inquire about volunteering for a committee. Interesting.
I agree, we do need new people looking out for our interests.
Murrel — Thanks; I’ll check that out and bring it up to the committee.
Jeff — I believe the committee was formed by the Planning and Growth department inviting certain “stakeholders” and asking city council members for their recommendations. Gary Sandberg asked me if I’d be interested in serving on this committee, and I said I would, so he submitted my name. I forgot to note that Planning and Growth told us during the meeting that attorney Bob Hall was invited to be part of the committee, but he didn’t respond to the invitation and was not at the first meeting.
Emerge — For what it’s worth, I’ve expressed my interest in being appointed to several commissions (Zoning, Traffic, Planning) to no avail, even though I was on the Heart of Peoria Commission and the stated policy of the council was to appoint all HOP commissioners to other commissions. The mayor says my council representative won’t recommend me and my council representative says the mayor wouldn’t appoint me.
Ah CJ, its a he said, he said and there you go. Part of the problem with the same people on the committees is that they are the only ones that volunteer. A lot of people complain but few are willing to step up and volunteer to do something about the problems. I spent many years fighting the good fight, so I’ve been there done that. I would still do it if it weren’t for old age and getting around. Many more should step forward and do their part instead of just complaining. Get involved and see what the problem really is and how to fix it.
Hear, hear, SD.
Hear? Hear?
Hear, hear what?
Were you guys NOT reading CJ’s post? I know many people [including myself], who made nearly desperate attempts to gain a seat on one committee or another, all to no avail. CJ is a rabble-rouser. We all know there is no place for someone who constantly questions the status-quo.
The Peoria ‘elite’ have a near lock on power in this city/county. When called to task on this they simply say, “hey…. stop complaining, get out and do YOUR part!” They know that 99.99% of the people who live and work in Peoria do not have the political and/or financial backing to truly ‘rock-the-boat.’ As a matter of fact, the local political strong-arms bank on this [$9 million to be exact].
The ‘museum movement’ was just one example of this. More than enough people have expressed concerns over the hotel deal; at the council meetings, published editorials, etc. NO ONE that I know feels that their concerns were adequately addressed.
WHY?
Hear, hear to SD’s thoughts that volunteering for panels and commissions is the best way to influence policy. Start at whatever level you can and make a difference. Peoria is always looking for concerned citizens that want to make a difference. CJ does it, others can to.
NV: does some person or group have an issue with your serving on a Tazewell County area board or commission?
150 observer,
Make a difference? Possibly… There are all kinds of volunteer positions, etc open. Good for the ‘soul’ I am sure, but as far as obtaining a position that influences actual policy making in Peoria city/county, no way.
Precinct,
I was born, raised, and am currently employed in Peoria. My move to E.P was recent and most likely temporary. My family and I are currently looking to relocate back in Peoria area.
I voiced my concerns while living in Peoria, and will most likely voice them again after we relocate. Before you give me ANOTHER load of crap, maybe your next comment might include a reason as to why so many people feel that unless you are willing to conform, or are able to break the magic circle of the Peoria ‘power brokers,’ you might as well dummy-up.
Precinct, in other words…. rather than address my comment [as usual], you merely answered a question with another question….. Tell me why the points I made in above post were/were not valid.
NV: “The Peoria ‘elite’ have a near lock on power in this city/county.” The “Elite” that you reference in “Peoria” are not the same group that runs roughshod over the area that I reside.It is a completely different group politically. Peoria County Politics differs from city politics.
You want to gain a seat at the table “run for office”. I did and was unsucessful twice at the township supervisor level and twice at the county board level. I did eventually get elected to a job nobody wanted and paid 1 dollar a year for compensation. My influence is extremely small.
Your premise of how people feel influences their behavior/actions is not quite on target. When individuals have done the leg work, contacted like minded citizens,examined the issues and take a positive action toward achieving those goals then they can form and establish their position from which they can pontificate, spew, complain, argue, and on towards exhaustion. But when the dust settles let not one of those active souls say “had I the opportunity to do something that would make a difference.
Additionally NV: since I live outside of The “City of Peoria” I do not believe my critique or criticism is appropriate. I only comment on topics (ie. Dist 150,sign size and composition, etc.) that others have stated, that have an effect on larger issues (Ex:First Amendment concerns)
“Hardin brothers” are not brothers but father and son. They bring many years of experience in the sign business to to the table.
“Your premise of how people feel influences their behavior/actions is not quite on target. When individuals have done the leg work, contacted like minded citizens,examined the issues and take a positive action toward achieving those goals then they can form and establish their position from which they can pontificate, spew, complain, argue, and on towards exhaustion. But when the dust settles let not one of those active souls say “had I the opportunity to do something that would make a difference.”
– Did you write this all by yourself?
I had NO idea that Peoria County politics differs from Peoria City politics!” Are you sure?
Does Peoria City politics differ from crapola?
here ends the lesson
Lesson nothing.
I have a fairly lengthy resume of ‘community involvement.’ Long enough that I don’t need to justify my posted comments to you. Your problem is that YOU so easily dismiss legitimate concerns and comments as spewing, complaining, arguing, etc. This is what you seem to have in common with area politicians. At least you don’t ignore them outright.
Your answer is……..? Run for office? Right…..
Most of the people who post on this site, or others, know their concerns and questions will go forever unanswered, yet they are still FEELING frustrated. This is a forum like any other.
Not only is my “premise of how people feel influences their behavior/actions,” on target, it hit the bulls-eye. It is a matter of scale.
NV: I congratulate you on your lengthy resume of community involvement and urge you to continue those activities that help the area in which you live.
Same to you Precinct.
I hope you continue to post on any and all “First Amendment concerns.”