By Hayleigh Gowans

Staff Writer

Discussion of allowing businesses to use temporary A-framed (sandwich board) signs in the hamlet of Jamesville has continued at a public hearing held Sept. 12 — with views on all sides of the issue expressed at the meeting.

“The town is trying to solicit as much information from residents in order to make the best possible decision,” said Town Supervisor Ed Michalenko. “DeWitt does not lightly change its code.”

At the Aug. 22 meeting of the DeWitt Town Board, a public hearing on the possibility of amending the town code to allow businesses in Jamesville to place temporary sandwich board signs outside of their shops was discussed. Business owners argued the ability to use sandwich board signs would greatly help them to be able to attract customers.

Some stipulations of the most recently drafted local law are that: usage of temporary sandwich board signs only apply to only non-residential and home-based businesses within the boundaries of the hamlet of Jamesville; any sign may not exceed two linear feet in width and a maximum height of 42 inches; signs must be constructed out of materials that present a finished appearance (stained/painted wood, anodized aluminum, metal) and plastic signs are prohibited; only one sign per business is allowed and must be placed on a sidewalk directly in front of the associated establishment; signs should only be displayed during regular business hours and must be weighted down in the event of strong winds; sign placement must adhere to certain constraints such as allowing six feet of pedestrian walkway; and any business wishing to display a sign must first obtain a permit from the town of DeWitt.

The town board voted to continue the public hearing for the Sept. 12 meeting in order to hear the recommendations from the Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency (SOCPA), which gave two recommendations: to put a provision that does not allow signs to be placed within 12-feet of a roadway, which is the New York State Department of Transportation right-of-way, and to keep the sandwich board recommendations within the constraints of the Jamesville Master Plan, which is currently in progress.

Michalenko said if the town board does not add the 12-foot from the road right-of-way, then the town would open themselves up to possible lawsuits in the event of an accident due to a sign placement.

“Last week, myself and another business owner decided to ask our customers what their views of sandwich board signs were,” said Debbe Titus, owner of Halfmoon Bakery. “We got 38 signatures on a petition to support us … Many of us have put a lot of work into our business in order to keep Jamesville attractive.”

A group of about a dozen residents were present who said they had issues with the possibility of the local law, stating their main concerns were distraction while driving, safety issues and attractiveness of the hamlet being threatened with a cluttering of signs.

“Several of us remain confused … At one point last year, that area where the businesses are located was so cluttered with signs, it was a distraction for drivers and a safety hazard,” said Alex Ewing, who represented this group of community members who had concerns about the possible local law. “We think the town board needs to reconsider this.”

On Sept. 22, the DeWitt Planning Board is reviewing the drafted local law in order to be able to give their recommendations, which are set to be presented at the Sept. 26 town board meeting. If there are substantial changes, the law would have to be sent back to SOCPA for review, and another public hearing would have to be held, said Town Attorney David Herkala.

In the meantime, the town board has voted to keep the public hearing open in order to allow residents a chance to voice their opinions on the law being considered.

To see the proposed local law, go to townofdewitt.com.