Kalivianakis: The sign ordinance and its potential abuse

Brenda Kalivianakis (Submitted photo)

Remember the adages “You can’t put toothpaste back in the tube” or “You can’t unscramble an egg?” Both warn that once something is done, it can’t be undone. Fortunately, this principle does not apply to ordinances. Or, in this case, the sign ordinance.

The Town Council recently passed a revised sign ordinance, to the delight of many and the dismay of some. After much effort, we passed an ordinance that we anticipate will be good for our business community, our realtors and other stakeholders. I believe it will be good for our town.

But some citizens have contacted me who fear that the revised ordinance might be abused by business owners or some of our residents. I have always trusted the inherent goodness and decency of both my fellow citizens and the business owners who all share a stake in Fountain Hills. I always give our people the benefit of the doubt and so far, I have not been disappointed.

But what if the concerns of some of our residents are proven true? What if the new ordinance is abused and signs proliferate all over our town? What if our rights of way and our boulevards and intersections become glutted with ugly gardens of signage? What if people ignore the spirit of the ordinance and act irresponsibly?

That’s where ordinances are unlike toothpaste and scrambled eggs. They can be revisited and cleaned up; either by right, as in a motion for reconsideration, or by a request to the mayor or the town manager. I can promise the residents of Fountain Hills that if this ordinance is abused and careless people trash our town, we will fix it. And we will always give our code enforcement officers the tools they need to keep Fountain Hills beautiful.