By Agrippina Fadel
Tamarac is changing its signage ordinance to help business owners better promote themselves.
The city commission unanimously approved the amendments to the ordinance at the April 27 meeting.
Adopted in November 2012, business owners complained that the city’s existing signage regulations were too restrictive and limited their ability to advertise effectively.
Maxine Calloway, community development director, explained that the amendments aim to provide relief to businesses and allow better marketing visibility.
“We are increasing the allowed coverage of window signs from the current 15% to 40% and making changes to nameplate building identification signs. The businesses will now be required to be identified in the rear of the buildings as well,” she said.
Calloway added that the new ordinance would change the menu board signs at the restaurants, which were never before covered in the code.
The code will also address directional signs to help residents find businesses.
“We are increasing the size of the directory signs to be consistent with the signage requirements that we currently have for monument signs, which will allow for businesses to be more visible,” she said, adding that the city is also making changes to off-premises signs, previously not allowed in the code.
“Now, provided you get approval from the property owner, you can have a sign off-premises that will direct people to your business if it is not very visible from the public right of way,” explained Calloway.
During public comments, Kings Point resident Melvin Yoder said it was excellent that the city is addressing signage.
“Driving around the block trying the find the business is not fun,” he said, adding that as a former business owner, he knows that good, visible signage can add 10-15% in sales for the business.
Yoder pointed out the city needs to also look at the landscaping regulations. “Sometimes the vegetation makes it impossible to see the sign from the road,” he said.
Mayor Michelle Gomez said the city is reviewing the landscaping regulations to ensure that businesses are seen and is also working on improving the wayfinding signs.
Calloway confirmed that the citywide wayfinding program had been approved in the budget. “It will give pedestrians and motorists direction throughout the city and include over 52 signs,” she added.
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