SUFFOLK
It's a big race in a big city. Now, the candidates can plant big signs.
The signs can be pretty much as big as candidates want in some places - depending on their engineering know-how.
"You can't put up something that's structurally unsound and will blow in the wind," said Tim Davis, assistant director of community development.
The changes began last week, when the city sent letters to all local candidates in the November election about the restrictions on signs. The letter said they can't exceed 32 square feet in commercial and industrial zoning districts or 8 square feet in all other areas.
The letter prompted about half a dozen calls, some from candidates, Davis said. There was no pressure, just questions about what was allowed in agricultural zones, he said.
"Some of the candidates and representatives called us back and said, 'Look, can you take another look at it?' And we did," Davis said.
Over the weekend, he talked with his zoning administrator. They agreed it was appropriate to allow 32 square-foot signs in agricultural areas.
The decision prompted more calls. City staff reviewed the situation again. They noted the Unified Development Ordinance, a master list of city zoning laws, doesn't address political signs in agricultural zones. Another letter went out.
Virginia Beach, which is in the thick of its own mayoral campaign, and Chesapeake, which had local elections in May, both cap political signs in agricultural zones at 32 square feet.
Davis said the question hadn't come up in Suffolk before, and this is a historic campaign. Seven people are running to be the first elected mayor.
Mayor Linda Johnson, by far the biggest money-raiser in the field, said she has ordered 150 of the 32 square-foot signs. Tom Powell, another candidate, reported the next highest number of the larger signs, with 25.
Roger Leonard said he was initially told to hew to the smaller size limit in his mayoral campaign.
Now that city has lifted the restriction, he's got plans. Big plans. He wants to combine six of his signs into a 96-square-footer.
He just needs to find a place to put it.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
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Only the Tape Measure Can Tell
Linda Johnson has a huge sign in a commercial/industrial area by the metal recyling plant on Hosier Road. Looks to me like greater than 32 sq. ft. I don't see public utilities hurrying out there to measure to see if she is violating the law. I suppose we citizens must go out with tape measure in hand, hey?
Correction!
First line should read: 32 or 96 Square foot signs, that is the question?
Sorry, hit the wrong key!
32 or 96 Sq. Ft. Sign
I32 or 96 Square foot sign, that is the questions! It goes to prove in Suffolk. If you have the money you can built a 32 or 96 square foot sign. This is just another attempt by the present Mayor to insure her re-election. Mayor Johnson wants to extend her kingdom from the Point Harbor area of Suffolk to the inner city.
Real Estate Agent with the backing of local land developers. Very interesting. . .
"It's NOT a good time to be in Suffolk!"
Inequality Among Signs
Is the City of Suffolk going to return the political signs the Public Works Department illegally tore down? I notice that none of Mayor Linda Johnson's huge signs have been removed.