By Hayleigh Gowans

Staff Writer

Businesses in the hamlet in Jamesville may soon be able to place temporary A-framed signs outside of their building if the town board passes a local law that will set parameters and usage rules on these type of signs.

Town Supervisor Ed Michalenko said that in 2004 when the town was going through the process of updating its zoning and town codes, a change was made that did not allow business owners to have A-framed (also known as sandwich board) signs outside of their locations. Because this code was enforced through a system of reporting from individuals to the town’s code enforcer, some owners continued to put up sandwich board signs or were not aware of the new law.

After concerns from some businesses in Jamesville area, the town of DeWitt, along with some business owners in Jamesville, drafted a local law that would allow sandwich board signs to be used in the parameters of the hamlet of Jamesville.

Some stipulations of the 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; and any business wishing to display a sign must first obtain a permit from the town of DeWitt.

A public hearing on the local law was held at the Aug. 22 meeting of the DeWitt Town Board. Many business owners and a few residents of Jamesville were there to support the local law.

Tony Riposo, owner of Infinite Light Center for Yoga Wellness, said he believes this local law would allow Jamesville businesses to attract more customers, which in turn allows them to keep up their buildings and keep property values in Jamesville up.

“We want to find a way that will make it work for both the business owners and put restrictions in there so it works for the community,” said Ripso.

“A lot of us took these buildings from a bad state and improved them with our own money to make the area a desirable place to be,” said Diane Noeller, owner of Jamesville Carpet and Floor and president of the Jamesville Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve helped improve property values in the area and I think there’s a lot of residents who support us.”

“Everyday we’ve had a sign out, people come in,” said Matt Titus, owner of Halfmoon Bakery. “When we don’t have a sign, business drops.”

Michalenko said the public hearing on this local law will be kept open until the next board meeting on Sept. 12 in order to allow for the board to hear recommendations from the Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency and to allow those who weren’t present at the public hearing to give feedback.

To obtain a copy of the drafted local law, call the Town Clerk’s Office at 446-3910 ext. 2 or visit the DeWitt Town Hall at 5400 Butternut St., East Syracuse.