News of signs and scenic byways
Friday 10 August 2012 at 4:10 pm.Some Dare County business owners are very unhappy that Dare County has finally started enforcing its long-standing sign ordinance.
“Doing this the year after Hurricane Irene and in the middle of the season is just plain dumb,” said one business owner.
County Planning Director Donna Creef sent a letter to business owners in February to remind them – before the season started – about the sign regulations in unincorporated Dare County.
The letter did little to motivate owners to remove illegal signs, such as sandwich boards and other temporary signs, or comply with the limitations on flags and pennants.
Creef followed up in early June with a letter to those businesses that still had illegal temporary signs and flags, which is where the planning department started with enforcing the ordinance.
Letters went to 55 businesses in unincorporated Dare with illegal sandwich boards and other temporary signs, Creef said.
Creef did a sign inventory on July 24 and 25. Only 12 businesses complied with the first notice, and on July 27, Creef sent letters to 45 business owners who still were not in compliance. A few were added that were not offenders in June -- new illegal signs are going up faster than the planners can keep track of them.
In the letter, Creef promised that there would be a follow-up inventory soon, and that those owners who do not comply will be subject to civil penalties of $50 a day for the first 15 days after a written notice is issued, $100 a day from day 16 throught 30, and then $500 a day after that.
Also, in July, the planning department sent letters to 22 businesses that were in violation of the limitation on flags.
Some business owners have complied after the July 27 letter, but sandwich boards and other violations, such as portable magnetic boards, are still in front of many businesses on the island.
Many of these business owners say that the temporary signs are what brings in the business. And some say they will not remove them.
They say that the ordinance is bad for business, especially after many island businesses suffered significant economic losses after Hurricane Irene.
And some say they did not get the February and/or June letters and that they resent being hassled in the middle of the busy tourist season.
In her February letter, Creef noted the reason for the sign ordinance.
“The Dare County Sign Ordinance is designed to promote the efficient transfer of information with signage that enhances the appearance and economic value of our landscape in a manner that does not create traffic hazards or obstruct emergency vehicles,” she said.
Many, if not most, of the illegal temporary signs are in the Highway 12 right-of-way, which is a both a traffic and public safety issue. But even those signs that are moved out of the right-of-way and onto the business property are illegal.
And some would argue that the clutter of signs and flags is unattractive along what has been named a National Scenic Byway and that there is so much clutter that drivers passing by can’t really focus on all the signs.
The Outer Banks Scenic Byway, which includes Highway 12 from Whalebone Junction to Down East Carteret County, is a good reason to change how business owners attract folks to their shops and restaurants, says Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy of Rodanthe who is chairman of the Outer Banks and Dare County committees.
The pathways and sidewalks being planned to all of the Hatteras villages will put much more emphasis, she thinks, on pedestrian and bike traffic.
But before you can understand the current outrage about enforcing the sign ordinance, a short history lesson is in order.
THE SIGN ORDINACE
Dare County has had a sign ordinance on the books since 1975. It was seldom enforced.
In 2001, the Board of Commissioners decided to put an emphasis on “beautification” on Hatteras Island and other unincorporated areas. In other words, they set out to enforce the sign ordinance on the books.
Letters went to 90 businesses out of compliance and there was a small firestorm that ensued, mostly from businesses that were not on Highway 12 and, therefore, had illegal “off-premises” signs directing people to their shops.
After a public hearing, the ordinance was tweaked a bit, mostly to allow off-premises signs – but only for business not on the highway.
The highlights of that ordinance:
- Businesses are allowed only one sign on the property.
- Such things as size, placement, and lighting are regulated.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited. This includes all signs directing travelers to a business that is so many miles ahead or has been passed by.
- Businesses off Highway 12 are allowed one sign on the highway.
- Flags and pennants or balloons or kites at businesses are prohibited or limited to a certain number, depending on highway frontage.
- Sandwich boards, or A-frame signs, magnetic boards, and other temporary signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises directional real estate signs along the highway are also prohibited.
- Real estate signs can be placed only on properties for sale with certain restrictions.
- Certain exceptions are allowed for campaign signs and temporary signs promoting non-business or non-profit events.
In 2003, the county set out to begin enforcing the ordinance.
However, Hurricane Isabel in September of 2003 mostly ended that effort as the island economy limped along in the aftermath of that storm.
And other than permitting new signs and responding to complaints about the specific businesses, there has been little or no enforcement since then.
The economy weakened and the 2008 consent decree and ensuing beach closures hurt the Hatteras economy. No one had the political will to enforce the sign regulations.
Last winter, Bobby Outten went to the Board of Commissioners about the sign ordinance and other laws on the books.
“We should enforce all of our ordinances, and if the ordinances aren’t what we want, we should change them,” he said.
The county, he said, had not been “as diligent as it should have been in enforcing” the sign ordinance.
“My view is that if we have an ordinance, we should enforce it,” Outten said in an interview this week. And he says that is what he told the board.
The commissioners said they wanted to enforce the sign ordinance, and thus the February letter from Creef to business owners.
Creef said the planning department decided to focus at first on the temporary signs and flags, but both she and Outten said that enforcement of the other regulations, such as the prohibition on off-site signs, is coming.
She added that the department has also had trouble getting addresses for businesses, such as when the landowner doesn’t own the business and the letters may have gone to them.
At least up until the current push for enforcement, the county has had few requests to change the ordinance, Outten said.
For the most part, businesses owners just ignored the regulations, and some have continued to ignore them, even after they received numerous letters.
If business owners disagree with the ordinance, both Outten and Creef said, they should bring their grievances to the county, preferably with some constructive suggestions for changes.
Contact information, including e-mail addresses and phone numbers, for the county commissioners, county manager, and planning director are all available on the Dare County website, http://www.darenc.com.
SCENIC BYWAYS
The Outer Banks National Scenic Byway was designated, of course, to showcase the natural beauty of the area through the seashore and into Down East.
But it also brings opportunities from grants and matching monies for pathways, sidewalks, signage, and other pluses for the area.
The Outer Banks Scenic Byway Committee and the Dare County committee have been especially aggressive in getting grants for pathways and sidewalk projects.
The first one was a pathway along the Buxton Back Road for pedestrians and bikes, which has been completed.
Others are coming, says Goodloe-Murphy.
First up are pathways through the tri-villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo and through Avon, which are expected to be completed by May 24.
Each village will have four miles of a 5-foot wide concrete pathway on the west side of Highway 12. In the tri-villages it will run from the Community Building in Rodanthe to the Salvo Day Use Area, south of the villages. In Avon, it will run from the first soundside turnout north of the village to the first soundside turnout on the south.
The $2.45 million project is being built with a $1.95 million grant from the National Scenic Byways Program, $400,000 from the Dare County Tourism Board, and $90,000 from individuals and businesses on the island.
The next will be a 5-foot pathway on the west side of Highway 12 through Buxton and Frisco. It will run from the secondary school in Buxton where the Back Road pathway ends to the Frisco Shopping Center near the Park Service campground and Billy Mitchell airport.
The scenic byways committee is seeking a $1.3 million grant from the National Scenic Byways Program that did not come through this year but could in the future and matching money that will come from the Tourism Board.
Through the N.C. Department of Transportation, the scenic byway committee is seeking to fund a project for sidewalks on both sides of the highway in Buxton and Hatteras village. In Buxton, the sidewalks will run from the north end of Buxton to the secondary school, where they will connect with the pathway. In Hatteras, the sidewalks will run from the bridge over Slash Creek on the east end of the heart of the village to the second Slash Creek bridge on the village’s west end.
The committee is seeking to have funds for that project included in the state’s Transportation Improvement Program. The Buxton and Hatteras sidewalk project will also have to include repairs in DOT’s stormwater system in the villages.
All of these, Goodloe-Murphy says, will give us a safe place to walk and bike year-round, not just for visitors but for residents.
Obviously, signs in the highway right-of-way will have to be removed for the pathways and sidewalks.
However, Goodloe-Murphy also says owners should start thinking of new ways to bring pedestrians and bikers into their businesses. She mentions such additions as benches, bike racks, tables with umbrellas and chairs, or a water fountain to get folks to notice a business.
We will no longer, she says, be dependent on people just driving from business to business and businesses owners will have to approach “street appeal” in other ways.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information go to:
Dare County sign ordinance at http://www.darenc.com/planning/Chapter158.pdf
Outer Banks Scenic Byway website at http://www.outerbanksscenicbyway.org/
44 comments
Seems like Dare County should be more worried about how much the county attorney makes a year. He has not done much in the fight for open beaches….and talk about signs? The National Park, which is slap down in the middle of Dare County is rumored to have put up over 7,000 this year. Many will never be properly removed or will simply stay up forever. Give people a break, it’s hard enough trying to make it out here.
Jim H. - 11-08-’12 10:47
Signs? Signs? Scenic Byway?
Right, with the lines and lines of resource signs, strings, flags and yes, no parking signs because the NPS can’t make enough parking available you want to talk about signs?
OH, and right, businesses need to attract pedestrains and bikers because traveling from business to business via motorized vehicle will become less frequent. Again, give me a break. Anyone ever look at the number of pedestrians and bikes on the pathway in Buxton?
Give me a break.
Ginny - 11-08-’12 16:54
Signs, banners & flags are welcoming,inviting and festive to our tourists coming into the Tri villages from their long trip. They slow down and see what we have. Especially love the Richard Byrd signworks too. What we need removed is the WaterFall Park and the vacant yellow motel OBR ownes. Nothing scenic going on there. Looks like the slums of Rodanthe. Probably not on the inventory along with the real issues going on here that are ignored.
Patti - 12-08-’12 09:54
The Buxton back road looks like a side walk to me.. not a pathway..The one they put but the big box store in Avon is all over grown and not used…is that there idea of a pathway? the one in Manteo is nice..its not easy to ride a bike on a cement sidewalk..people will still ride on the road.. I think a path is a great idea, but I hope they do it right.. There are many places that need cleaned up and ripped down..maybe we should work on that first.. and keeping our beaches open..and parking…so there will be a use for a pathway..
pat avon - 12-08-’12 10:54
Part of what makes Hatteras Island special are the colorful flags, unique banners and assorted signage. If we remove all the local color, we’ll look just like another plain vanilla burg. Three cheers for independence!
A Salvo sign supporter - 12-08-’12 21:55
What a Joke, we look at 70 Miles of String and Signs all summer long..Scenic Byways bout spit my coffee all over my monitor when I read that. Will the NPS be getting Violation Notices????
JAM
JAM - 13-08-’12 07:55
I own one of those businesses that never received a letter. Maybe Ms Creef couldn’t find my business since my signs were lost in Hurricane Irene…I think colorful flags and well made signs do a lot more to promote beautification of the tri-villages than the horrible waterpark, trailer storage areas, and dilapitated residential structures (I hesitate to call them “houses”) on the highway. However, it is probably easier for the County to enforce the sign ordinance than to do battle with truly offensive landowners (waterpark) and those who cause flooding by their actions. Some zoning would be a real help if Ms Creef and the planning board would work on that.
MEB - 13-08-’12 08:50
I like sandwich boards and flags, most beach towns use these. Now, the new NPS signs and string are a major eye soar and are a disturbing change to the area.
AnonVisitor - 13-08-’12 11:24
I agree with the all the posters who think the county has other eyesores to contend with. Let the businesses have signs so they can make money for themselves and the county. Our federal goverment has already damaged this area enough, we don’t need the county joining in. Ditto that all those keep out signs posted on our beaches and highways are much more of an eyesore.
Todd - 13-08-’12 18:01
As one of the sign offenders of temporary sandwich board signs, I have dutifully complied only to notice a 20% drop in business. If this persists, I will lay off employees early, pay a lot less sales tax and have to consider selling more of my work wholesale in which case the county and state lose out almost completely. I spoke with Bobby Outten and Donna Creef about this and they both say we need to propose new ordinances to replace the existing one. The Town of Nags Head even allows each business to have a sandwich board sign in the right of way. I agree with all you have said the signs do work better than any print or internet advertising could by a long shot. We need to band together and do something about it. I am available anytime at Red Drum Pottery anytime anywhere and have the space we can meet to get organized to start “bringing business back to the Businesses.
Watauga County and the town of Boone did it and business is on the rebound by letting businesses have signs and getting rid of all street side venders ie shows with tents so the established businesses could get there rightful take. It is a win win for the county collects more tax dollars and the businesses make more money. What is wrong with that?
Wes Lassiter - 13-08-’12 20:17
Tell me about the pumpkin signs in the tri villages. Are they in or are they out?
Grumpy Gus - 13-08-’12 21:12
offensive to me is the miles of NPS signage and rope, not flags and banners announcing businesses. give the business owners a break.
and like others have said, let’s get rid of some of the eyesores on hatteras island.
bbc - 13-08-’12 23:08
How about those Audobon identify this bird signs that add a boom for business? As usual, lower Dare County thinks that laws do not apply to them except when they find it convenient to them.
It is obvious Ms. Creef has attempted gentle persuasion to sign violators with little success. It certainly appears violators have been “given a break” and now it is time to enforce the sign laws.
Anon - 14-08-’12 07:31
Hey Anon, As long as Audubon spits out lies, deception, and non-science garbage you will see those ‘‘identify this bird’‘ signs until the day you die. Folks from across the nation are finally seeing the true behind this money hungry band of lawyers.
Jimmy S. - 14-08-’12 08:00
The NPS has put 7000+ signs on Hatteras Island for bird&turtle closures??
Is this true? If it is, sounds like more government overkill. Why be shocked?
But also look at the burned down house with police tape in downtown Buxton that has been there a few years. This compliments the other abandoned houses in the area. What a lovely view for our island tourists. Maybe they take photos of them like the Alien SpaceHouse in Frisco.
I know the story, local families fighting over the property, relatives locking horns over money. Very common around here.
Face the facts, we have trashed this island with too much man-made crap and every major and minor storm drags a good portion into the ocean and sound. Then after the clean-up, we just coat the island with more crap to be blown and washed away the next storm.
What about the crap washed into the ocean and sound you can’t detect without a watertesting kit and a chemistry degree?
Think about that the next time you have a clam, fish, crab, or oyster roast…………. VILLAGE IDIOT - 14-08-’12 08:19
i wish i could own the space house. i’d restore it up and do something cool with it. it’s been on this island for decades in different locations and has become a landmark photo op for many folks driving up and down hwy 12. how many of you remember when it was down in hatteras village on the ocean side?
bbc - 14-08-’12 09:28
anon, even though i do not like the identify this bird sticker, maybe it would make the playing field more even if there was one for every ‘no’ sign the park has put up.
bbc - 14-08-’12 09:30
If this blog were about ice cream, it would somehow be related back to beach access. I for one support the signage laws and appreciate being a National Scenic Byway for all of America to enjoy.
billfish - 14-08-’12 10:35
I bet billfish has never had a retail business of his own. You get that kind of remarks from those who are ignorant of what it takes to stay in business here. I am glad you support them billfish. Try having a business here and you would be singing a different tune.
Wes Lassiter - 14-08-’12 12:27
You bet it’s about beach access. It always will be…..and talking about Scenic Byways, thank the NCBBA and the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club for their roadside clean-ups. You damn sure won’t see Audubon, DOW, or the Southern Enviromental Law Center doing it…..ever!!
Mike M. - 14-08-’12 14:03
I like the signage of small businesses. Beats the H* out of chains. There are some eyesores that need cleaning up. Dragging junk to the side yard has been going on forever in the country. With the scrap market up it seems like money could be made as after Irene.
ZuniKev - 14-08-’12 14:53
Thank you, Mike M! Those squawking the loudest to close the beaches to protect a bird probably do not realize that it is those of us who actually USE the beach that are its greatest guardians….. then again, it is not politically correct for them to care about the people actually affected by their ranting. Sorry… had to add 2 cents…..
Kinnakeet Jackie - 14-08-’12 19:02
Billfish,
Spot on, the blog was on signs, but it always turns to negative access remarks.
For Mike M and Kinnakeet Jackie, don’t try and flatter yourselves. There are many people who live here that do beach cleanup every time they go to the beach. Those people do not want to expect a pat on the back like both of you do for a annual or semi-annual beach cleanup.
Anon also - 14-08-’12 20:58
The bottom line here on the sign ordinance enforcement is that the “beautification” priority is upside down.
You can pile crap as high as you want on any given lot, regardless of how unsightly, just as long as it can’t be determined a health or safety hazzard. Based on my experience with complaints to the county, it’s virtually impossible to get such a determination.
Just don’t put a sign, sandwich board or flag on the crap and you are OK.
Salvo Jimmy - 15-08-’12 06:18
Hey Anon also, you missed the point. Yea, we pick something up every time we go because it’s the right thing to do. Derb does not and neither does the 1000’s of people that live elsewhere that do nothing but send checks to him because they are lied to and don’t know the truth about what is going on here. Most of the NPS signs are overkill, it’s just a way to create another government wasteful job that you pay for.
Mike M. - 15-08-’12 08:51
The SINGLE BIGGEST EYESORE and it is a whopper, is the abandon, dilapidated, dangerous and shameful state of that old water park, mini golf place. A bulldozer needs to level it and a bill sent to the owners along with their property tax bill, whom I understand are in Florida. The signs you are referring to are actually great for tourism and I have no problem with them. All the repetitive and overdone signs by the Parks People are not only an eye sore, they are a distraction to people driving on 12 and deter people from wanting to come to these beaches. I have been keeping a bird book since I was 12 years old. I see far more species of birds in Rehoboth Beach De on the board walk when I hold up a french fry than here.The area is simply over regulated. I think the Auduban society is getting money from people with oil interests who eventually want to do off shore drilling here, once they rid the island of most of the people. Birds and people can coexist without the government regulating. Some species will become extinct (as dinosaurs did) because this is the way nature is intended to work. Clean up that pathetic major eye sore, the old water park! # 1 priority for making 12 look better in my humble opinion. And, my thanks to K. Jackie for organizing a clean up.
anne nelson - 15-08-’12 10:55
I am excited about the bike paths. I would also love to see one added to the road going back past Flower’s Ridge towards the lighthouse and on to the ramps.
F. Vashti - 15-08-’12 12:36
I vote yes for tearing down abandoned and dangerous eyesores. I also vote yes for cleaning up and controlling signage on our roadways and businesses that overshadow the natural beauty of the island. Don’t we have enough advertising messages in our lives? Hatteras is scenically beautiful and a very special national seashore. Let’s keep it that way. Let’s especially get rid of these big, ridiculous neon signs at the forever on sale stores and make sure it’s lights off after closing to save the night skies.
billfish - 15-08-’12 12:46
if they are so worried about the beautiful highways of dare county, the eyesores should be a top priority of the dare county sign people, not the little sandwich boards announcing small shops existence along highway 12.
............ - 15-08-’12 15:34
Billfish, I agree with you on the eyesores (and safety hazards), but disagree with the signs. The tri-villages are a small part of the total mileage.You have Whalebone to Avon just in northern Hatteras for no signs but the gov’t ones. Let the local businesses give some local flavor.
ZuniKev - 16-08-’12 20:01
I complied with Ms Creefs request and took down my sandwich board with my business phone number on it. I also took down my massage and chiropractic feather flags as requested. Business has dropped off significantly. I was going to try to stay open into the Fall months, but don’t see any point. After nearly 10 years working on Hatteras Island, I have had enough. A sincere thank you to the people who visited my adjusting and massage tables. Every day was a nice day living on Hatteras Island. Really, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I hope to be reincarnated one day as a shore bird so that I may again enjoy the free and open beaches that I came here to relax and kiteboard on. Adios, Dr Rudy
Dr Rudy - 17-08-’12 23:40
According to the NPS there has been no negative economic effect from the new policies, so it must be the county sign rules. I suspect the county is siding with the NPS’s plan remove everyone from the island. Maybe they should raise taxes to expedite the desired change. I think the NPS said your young enough to find a new career.
Thank you, you helped me once with a back problem I had one fall, think it was 2006.
F. Vashti said “I am excited about the bike paths. I would also love to see one added to the road going back past Flower’s Ridge towards the lighthouse and on to the ramps.”
Problem there is that is NPS property, not County property and its off the Scenic Route Path. The only funding for those improvements would be federally budgeted. (we haven’t had a budget in nearly 4 years)so the second source would be from the “take” on the ORV permits. I don’t want my permit money going to improvement that do not directly affect the use of ORV’s at the park. It’s bad enough they’ve taken all this money and have done nothing but add thousands of NO YOU CAN’T signs.
Jack - 18-08-’12 08:58
a side walk is a great idea.. one question… how many miles of 5 foot wide sidewalk does 2.45 million get us? if i had to take a guess..from the description it sounds like 20 miles or so… doing the math that’s $122,500 dollars per mile of 5’ wide 3.5” thick concrete. holy cr*p that is some expensive walkway. who is overseeing this?
Keith - 18-08-’12 22:01
I got out of the business world when Ray Sturza started threatening my business and its signs in 2001. I agree that the waterpark needs riddence and the yellow motel is sited for destruction this winter. But calling yourself a Doctor is silly. You are just a chiropractor. Get real and go to medical school Rudy….
John - 20-08-’12 23:37
Bike paths? Ok, so how about all of those who prefer non motorized vehicles or walking as a mode of transportation start a drive for funds. My guess, you won’t raise much money for it.
Quite simply those of us who live and work here don’t have the time to traverse 20 or 30 miles in this manner. Those who visit have 1 maybe 2 weeks and don’t want to spend the extra time it takes to get from one location to another using this mode of transportation because it would limit the activities they can participate in.
The use of such facilities is extremely limited and to infer in the article that this mode of transportation is or will be common place and that businesses will benefit from bike racks and other items designed to cater to non motorized means of travel is more environmental poppy cock.
Ginny - 22-08-’12 09:05
my first thought goes to that hideous water park. Why are we worrying about vendor signs when that monstrosity should be the first focus? That and the Frisco pier. Not only are these things ugly, they aren’t safe.
Frisco kid - 23-08-’12 21:16
I enjoy driving on the beach (especially in winter to savor the birds, dolphins, and sunset between Buxton and Frisco) as much or more than anyone. However, IMO, it is foolish to ignore the eco-tourism opportunities such things as bike paths would create simply to cling to the beach access issue. Just today I was riding on the NPS road between the lighthouse and Hwy 12, and two different vehicles practically ran me off the road. (PA drivers – I hate to say it but many of my bad-driver experiences here come from people with PA plates). I digress though. It doesn;t have to be one of the other – there are room for bikers, cars, walkers – ALL OF US here.
F. Vashti - 24-08-’12 19:23
There really is not enough room for for everyone on our island roads. Maybe in the winter.
The overload of people amplifies the number of vehicles and add in local businesses renting and selling bikes, motor-scooters, golfcarts, motorized-skateboards, etc to ride on our limited roads/highway.And with narrow roads, no bikepaths (except Buxton backroad), and no DOT cleaning of the miniscule highway shoulder, this makes our island very unsafe for locals and visitors alike.
VILLAGE IDIOT - 25-08-’12 10:05
This is amazing. If Dare County wants to regulate the highway right-of-way then they need to maintain it. also they need to re-engineer the drainage before they can tell business owners about clutter being a traffic hazard. its as simple as its always been they want money here they do not want fishermen, small business or anything else that built this island to what tourist love so much. scenic byway? also to ms. helen, bikers dont shop, they hardly have money with them unless it enough to buy a drink.
Absolutely ridiculous. we need to band together and form a hatteras island small business comitee so that we can help shape some of these laws to work for us because it seems that thay all tend to work against us
dilapidated housing jimmy? don’t worry about someone else s house unless you’re going to fix it or help them, mind your own business
Tri-village resident - 27-08-’12 11:38
“Beautification” Give me a break.
I submit the delapidated buildings, junk/clutter in yards, abandoned and falling down businesses like Waterfall Park, etc you see along NC12 should be a far more worrisome “beautification” issue than sandwich boards and flags.
I’ve been after the county for years about an abondoned house in my area that is virtually falling down. County response is it is not a health or safety hazzard. Can’t even convince them it’s a fire hazzard because of the fallen decks, etc making a nice kindling pile, not to mention all the brush growth on the lot.
The enforcers get a Dolphin Code 5. Translation: I am unaware that medical standards have been revised. You must be blind as a bat.
Salvo Jimmy - 11-08-’12 07:26