By Steph Wiechmann

The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors will meet with the Planning Commission Feb. 8 in an attempt to reach a compromise on the controversial proposal to allow jumbo signs near Interstates 81 and 64.

The board had considered but tabled the proposal at its Jan. 23 meeting, where hundreds of citizens turned out to express concern about the change's possible effect on the county's scenic vistas.

“It’s going to degrade the views from your hillsides and your highways,” said Debbie Dull, a Buena Vista resident.

One citizens' group took a visual approach to its argument. The public hearing notice emphasized the maximum size for proposed new signs would be “up to 100 feet tall and up to 258 square feet.” When citizens entered the county meeting room they were greeted by an orange and green poster board sign measuring 258 square feet that covered the back wall of the room. The message, written in large black letters, was “WAY TOO BIG.”

The current sign ordinance allows signs to be up to 15 feet tall with a maximum area of 50 square feet.

Business owners have a different take on the issue. Leonard Puglisi, owner of Natural Bridge, one of the most frequented tourist attractions in the area, said signs are necessary for businesses in the area.

“The tourism business is difficult,” said Puglisi. “You can sell nature and beauty with signs.”

Changes to the sign ordinance would affect only businesses that are one-half mile from the I-81 and I-64 interchanges. Because of the hilly landscape of the county, some businesses complain that their current signs cannot be seen by motorists on the major highways until it is too late for them to exit.

The proposed change would make it possible for those businesses to apply for special signs. Special signs could be larger in area and placed higher in the air than the current ordinance allows. This would make them more visible to motorists.

At the meeting, Mack Smith, the Board of Supervisors’ representative to the planning commission, suggested the commission collaborate with the board for a better understanding of the issue.

The board took the recommendation seriously. The sign ordinance was tabled so that both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors can meet before a vote.

The issue was originally presented by the Board of Supervisors to the Planning Commission for recommendation. On Jan. 11, the commission voted 3-1 against changing the sign ordinance.

 

Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.

Lead supervisor:      Prof. Claudette Artwick

Reporting supervisor: Prof. Doug Cumming

Editing supervisor:  Prof. Pamela Luecke

Technical supervisor:  Michael Todd