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June 12, 2007
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Travel agency sign causes zoning spatPhotos
Accountant Luther Hanson says he will seek a zoning variance for the sign he had painted for his online travel agency along Bigley Avenue.
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By Jim Balow (Related)
Staff writer
Accountant Luther Hanson says the murallike sign was a way to dress up the drab masonry block wall of his building along Bigley Avenue and draw attention to his online travel agency.
But Hanson was apparently unaware the city of Charleston has strict rules about such signs, and vigilant eyes among members of its Municipal Beautification Commission to make sure those rules are followed.
The paint on Hansons colorful sign was barely dry late last year before Beautification Chairman Mary Jane Vanderwilt was on the phone with the city Planning Department.
Our only concern in Beautification with signs like that and supergraphics is anyone who wants to do that, the Beautification Commission must review it, Vanderwilt said Monday.
Zoning rules also say that in a commercially zoned district such as the one along Bigley, youre allowed 1.5 square feet of sign for each linear foot of storefront, said Lori Brannon of the Planning Department.
Andrew Gunnoe, a zoning administrator, was assigned the case. He checked out the sign. Its just the size of the sign, he said. It covers the whole side of the building.
Zoning officials havent measured the sign, but by rough estimates its about 20 feet tall and 60 feet long 1,200 square feet. A typical 30-foot storefront would be allowed a 45-square-foot sign.
Whats more, Hanson never got a permit, Brannon said. Its not unattractive, but its a sign.
Gunnoe tried to contact Hanson several times, but never got a response, she said. On April 18, Gunnoe issued a citation and ordered him to appear in municipal court May 2. That seemed to get Hansons attention. He stopped by the planning office five days later.
I explained he could either apply for a variance for the sign or try to change the sign to a mural. We suggested he contact the Beautification Commission. He left our office with a copy of the variance application.
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