Us
Print
E-mail
Rate
DAC modifies business ordinance
By JEFF M. HARDISON
jhardison@lakecityreporter.com
Downtown Lake City looks a bit more barren without the special artifacts that once adorned the sidewalks along Marion Avenue.
In an effort to help city leaders revise ordinances and bring back the quaint and homey feel of old, the Downtown Action Corporation met with business owners Thursday evening at Ruppert’s Bakery & Café, 184 N. Marion Ave.
The meeting had been planned for the Hotel Blanche, a few doors down, but the hotel had a previous engagement that the DAC did not know about when it slated the meeting.
The next meeting — as merchants continue working to draft final suggestions for City Council — will be next week. The time, date and place is not yet confirmed.
Some owners object to the city’s Code Enforcement Department suddenly enforcing local laws. Reportedly as the result of one complaint, Lake City Code Enforcement Officer Sandra Caslow told every shop and café owner about land-use regulations prohibiting the entrepreneurs from putting merchandise or other artifacts on the sidewalk, or even in their shops’ alcoves.
Among the modifications sought so far, alcoves that are private property would be allowed to include items placed in them — as long as a 4-foot path is maintained to meet the American with Disabilities Act.
At intersections, there are requirements to assure visibility.
John Shoemaker, a local businessman who has been a code enforcement officer, reminded all business owners in Lake City that no sign can be erected without a permit. Caslow said the minimal fee for plan review is $50.
The group went through a long list of very exact rules, including limits to the types of colors allowed on buildings in the historic downtown area.
“We are trying to avoid looking like a carnival midway,” Shoemaker said.
When business owners asked if they could be “grandfathered in” for signs that are not in compliance, Caslow said there is a need to understand the concept of “grandfathering.”
“There is never a guarantee of anything,” she said. “If it was illegal when you did it, it is illegal now. We could come back and bring you into compliance.”
When asked when the first sign ordinances started, there was some guessing that it was in the 1970s. More research is anticipated in regard to that question.
In regard to tables and chairs at cafes, the first draft of the amendment calls for owners to bring them in at night.
As for outside displays downtown, the potential new rules are at a point where an owner can cover up to 25 percent of the front of their store space with a display, as long as it does not cause a safety problem from reduce visibility of motorists, or interfere with the ADA.
A final draft of proposals is not complete. Lord asked people who think of issues beyond what was addressed Thursday evening to e-mail her at paulettem_lord@yahoo.com.
In an effort to help city leaders revise ordinances and bring back the quaint and homey feel of old, the Downtown Action Corporation met with business owners Thursday evening at Ruppert’s Bakery & Café, 184 N. Marion Ave.
The meeting had been planned for the Hotel Blanche, a few doors down, but the hotel had a previous engagement that the DAC did not know about when it slated the meeting.
The next meeting — as merchants continue working to draft final suggestions for City Council — will be next week. The time, date and place is not yet confirmed.
Some owners object to the city’s Code Enforcement Department suddenly enforcing local laws. Reportedly as the result of one complaint, Lake City Code Enforcement Officer Sandra Caslow told every shop and café owner about land-use regulations prohibiting the entrepreneurs from putting merchandise or other artifacts on the sidewalk, or even in their shops’ alcoves.
Among the modifications sought so far, alcoves that are private property would be allowed to include items placed in them — as long as a 4-foot path is maintained to meet the American with Disabilities Act.
At intersections, there are requirements to assure visibility.
John Shoemaker, a local businessman who has been a code enforcement officer, reminded all business owners in Lake City that no sign can be erected without a permit. Caslow said the minimal fee for plan review is $50.
The group went through a long list of very exact rules, including limits to the types of colors allowed on buildings in the historic downtown area.
“We are trying to avoid looking like a carnival midway,” Shoemaker said.
When business owners asked if they could be “grandfathered in” for signs that are not in compliance, Caslow said there is a need to understand the concept of “grandfathering.”
“There is never a guarantee of anything,” she said. “If it was illegal when you did it, it is illegal now. We could come back and bring you into compliance.”
When asked when the first sign ordinances started, there was some guessing that it was in the 1970s. More research is anticipated in regard to that question.
In regard to tables and chairs at cafes, the first draft of the amendment calls for owners to bring them in at night.
As for outside displays downtown, the potential new rules are at a point where an owner can cover up to 25 percent of the front of their store space with a display, as long as it does not cause a safety problem from reduce visibility of motorists, or interfere with the ADA.
A final draft of proposals is not complete. Lord asked people who think of issues beyond what was addressed Thursday evening to e-mail her at paulettem_lord@yahoo.com.
 |
 |
|
| Man dies in two-vehicle wreck | SRWMD to purchase 636 acres |
More Laws to Enforce wrote on Aug 15, 2008 12:04 PM:
You may not fart in a public place after 6 P.M. on Thursdays.
It is illegal to skateboard without a license.
Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.
It is illegal to sing in a public place while attired in a swimsuit.
Doors of all public buildings must open outwards.
Women may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer, as can the salon owner.
Let's get cracking, I've seen many of these "crimes" being committed "