Thank you for the info!!!
Bad Signs for South Walton
- Thread starter Jenksy
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Thank you for the info!!!
I am sort of afraid to say anything, but I was wondering what happened to all of the white signs on 395. I saw nothing wrong with those small white signs topping each other and it let me know (not living here long) where to turn a lot and where some of those businesses are. I forget where exactly I am when I am on 98 if not for the signs. I cannot read the street signs that well until I am on top of them. I also thought they had character just l ike the businesses they were advertising. All things are different in the 30A area from other places in the world. These are small businesses trying to survive and yes, I think the signs can make a difference as far as losing some prospective customers who may go there because they saw the sign. When I was just visiting that is how I found places at times so I know those signs help. It is a sham; they have been there so long and all of a sudden one person decides they should not be and down they come!!!! I will say no more! I could, as you all know!!!
As reported on WZEP AM:
FDOT to Remove Directional Signs Along Highway 98
They removed the signs once, the county came up with a solution, now the state is abandoning that and removing the signs again.
Before the widening of U.S. 98 in southern Walton County, there were a number of business sings along the old highway. The Department of Transportation removed these signs. Businesses complained and when the county commissioners checked, they found the signs were not allowed, but a directional sign with only the business name or type of business was allowed. The commissioners checked with the Department of Transportation and agreed to build sign frames that would support these directional signs pointing people down the side roads to small shops and services. The plain black and white signs with no advertising were looked at as a compromise between the county, state and business owners.
Now that the highway has changed the look of the area, the FDOT has been removing some of the directional signs. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, they will move forward with the process of tagging and removing additional directional signs along U.S. Highway 98.
According to the FDOT, they will have an inspector placing a second 10 day sticker on all signs that are remaining in the right-of-way. In addition, they will also be mailing out notices to the sign owners, Walton County, listing the locations of the signs that are in the right of way and need to be removed.
Following the 10 day period, there will be a crew from maintenance removing any of the signs that remain. The directional signs that are not located on the right-of-way will have a 30 day sticker placed on them and the property owners will also be notified.
In the last meeting of the Walton County Board of Commissioners, there were discussions held on the value of signage to small business owners and the Commission pledged to look at proposing replacement signage that meets FDOT criteria. The City of DeFuniak Springs has worked with the FDOT and now has directional signs along the state roads. While this was cited as a long and difficult process with the FDOT making a number of corrections and changes as the city tried to work with them, the city was eventually able to come up with something the state says it allows.
As of now, there have been no decisions made, but the Walton County Commission plans to continue to work towards finding a solution.
In the interim, any questions in regard to the FDOT’s process can be directed to Mr. Mac Carpenter in the County’s Planning Department at 850-892-8157.
FDOT to Remove Directional Signs Along Highway 98
They removed the signs once, the county came up with a solution, now the state is abandoning that and removing the signs again.
Before the widening of U.S. 98 in southern Walton County, there were a number of business sings along the old highway. The Department of Transportation removed these signs. Businesses complained and when the county commissioners checked, they found the signs were not allowed, but a directional sign with only the business name or type of business was allowed. The commissioners checked with the Department of Transportation and agreed to build sign frames that would support these directional signs pointing people down the side roads to small shops and services. The plain black and white signs with no advertising were looked at as a compromise between the county, state and business owners.
Now that the highway has changed the look of the area, the FDOT has been removing some of the directional signs. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, they will move forward with the process of tagging and removing additional directional signs along U.S. Highway 98.
According to the FDOT, they will have an inspector placing a second 10 day sticker on all signs that are remaining in the right-of-way. In addition, they will also be mailing out notices to the sign owners, Walton County, listing the locations of the signs that are in the right of way and need to be removed.
Following the 10 day period, there will be a crew from maintenance removing any of the signs that remain. The directional signs that are not located on the right-of-way will have a 30 day sticker placed on them and the property owners will also be notified.
In the last meeting of the Walton County Board of Commissioners, there were discussions held on the value of signage to small business owners and the Commission pledged to look at proposing replacement signage that meets FDOT criteria. The City of DeFuniak Springs has worked with the FDOT and now has directional signs along the state roads. While this was cited as a long and difficult process with the FDOT making a number of corrections and changes as the city tried to work with them, the city was eventually able to come up with something the state says it allows.
As of now, there have been no decisions made, but the Walton County Commission plans to continue to work towards finding a solution.
In the interim, any questions in regard to the FDOT’s process can be directed to Mr. Mac Carpenter in the County’s Planning Department at 850-892-8157.
At last night's county commission meeting, Mac Carpenter of Walton County Planning said DOT had told him they were putting off enforcement action on the signs at least until the first of the year. He continued to say the signs are legal if permitted by the county and placed properly outside the state right-of-way.
Thanks miz!
I honestly did not have a problem with these signs as long as they were maintained. At least they were small, consistent, and had some character. It's big billboards and digital signs that are an eyesoar. I refuse to shop at any local businesses who advertise on them.
As promised, here is county staffs' proposed amendment to the County Land Development Code regarding "sandwich board" signs for CR 30A, US 98 and Scenic Gulf Drive. At the County Commission meeting this coming Tuesday county staff are asking the Commissioners for a directive to put this draft on the agenda for a future Planning Commission meeting. That will be the first step in the approval process. The public will have an opportunity for comment at both the Planning Commission meeting and the County Commission meeting where a final vote will be taken. In addition, comments and suggestions or questions can be directed to county staff at any time via email or phone to:
Wayne Dyess, Planning and Development Services Director
dyewayne@co.walton.fl.us
(850) 267-1955
PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE DRAFT
LDC Section 7.04.07 Sandwich Board Signs
Sandwich boards are defined as being any temporary portable, advertising sign that is not permanently
fixed in position, usually comprised of an A frame structure with two hinged face areas, displayed
outside a business, and is not intended as permanent business signage.
I. Location
a. Sandwich board signs may be utilized on County Road 30A, US 98, and Scenic Gulf Drive.
b. No sandwich board sign shall be located on a public-right-of-way or placed in such a manner
which obstructs vehicular traffic and site distance requirements and shall not be placed in a manner
which will block or otherwise obstruct the safe use of sidewalks, bike paths, or building entrances
c. Sandwich board signs shall be located entirely upon the private property where the business is
located.
d. No more than one (1) sandwich board may be displayed at a business regardless of the number
of parcels occupied by such business or street frontage.
e. Each business/ storefront is allowed to place one sandwich sign no further than 20’ from the
entrance of the business.
f. In instances where multiple businesses occupy a single building (strip centers) with no direct
road frontage, sandwich board signs may be placed along the road frontage (entirely on private
property), and shall be no closer than one sign per 150 linear feet. Therefore there is no assurance that
each business will have the ability to place such a sign. The determination of which businesses are
allowed at any given time will be at the discretion of the landlord, center management or agreement
between businesses. In the event signs covered under this section are deemed to be closer than 100
feet apart, each sign shall be considered in violation.
II. Size
a. Sandwich board signs shall not exceed a total sign area of six (6) square feet per side, and shall
not exceed forty eight (48) inches in height as measured from the ground to the top of sign when
standing vertically when in the display position. Leg length shall not be included in the calculation of
total sign area.
III. Display Hours
a. Sandwich board signs shall not be displayed on any premise before 7:00 AM and shall be
removed each day at or before 9:00 PM and only during hours when the business is open to the public.
IV. Prohibited Signs and Devices
a. No sandwich board shall be constructed of, or use, reflective materials, lights or similar material.
No appurtenances such as balloons, windsocks, or paper shall be attached to a sandwich board sign.
Wayne Dyess, Planning and Development Services Director
dyewayne@co.walton.fl.us
(850) 267-1955
PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE DRAFT
LDC Section 7.04.07 Sandwich Board Signs
Sandwich boards are defined as being any temporary portable, advertising sign that is not permanently
fixed in position, usually comprised of an A frame structure with two hinged face areas, displayed
outside a business, and is not intended as permanent business signage.
I. Location
a. Sandwich board signs may be utilized on County Road 30A, US 98, and Scenic Gulf Drive.
b. No sandwich board sign shall be located on a public-right-of-way or placed in such a manner
which obstructs vehicular traffic and site distance requirements and shall not be placed in a manner
which will block or otherwise obstruct the safe use of sidewalks, bike paths, or building entrances
c. Sandwich board signs shall be located entirely upon the private property where the business is
located.
d. No more than one (1) sandwich board may be displayed at a business regardless of the number
of parcels occupied by such business or street frontage.
e. Each business/ storefront is allowed to place one sandwich sign no further than 20’ from the
entrance of the business.
f. In instances where multiple businesses occupy a single building (strip centers) with no direct
road frontage, sandwich board signs may be placed along the road frontage (entirely on private
property), and shall be no closer than one sign per 150 linear feet. Therefore there is no assurance that
each business will have the ability to place such a sign. The determination of which businesses are
allowed at any given time will be at the discretion of the landlord, center management or agreement
between businesses. In the event signs covered under this section are deemed to be closer than 100
feet apart, each sign shall be considered in violation.
II. Size
a. Sandwich board signs shall not exceed a total sign area of six (6) square feet per side, and shall
not exceed forty eight (48) inches in height as measured from the ground to the top of sign when
standing vertically when in the display position. Leg length shall not be included in the calculation of
total sign area.
III. Display Hours
a. Sandwich board signs shall not be displayed on any premise before 7:00 AM and shall be
removed each day at or before 9:00 PM and only during hours when the business is open to the public.
IV. Prohibited Signs and Devices
a. No sandwich board shall be constructed of, or use, reflective materials, lights or similar material.
No appurtenances such as balloons, windsocks, or paper shall be attached to a sandwich board sign.