In February 2017, the Surprise City Council voted to remove the temporary sign policies in affect since 2009.
In 2009 WeMAR approached the City and requested additional temporary, directional real estate signage be allowed. We proposed that a directional sign be allowed at each place a change in direction was necessary in order for a prospective buyer to locate the property efficiently. Because the City had numerous distressed property owners and vacant houses, the City granted our request. That temporary sign policy was extended when the Bell -Grand construction began.
In February, the City Council voted to remove the policy and revert to the ordinance as it is written. The ordinance does not allow A-Frame signs at any time for any purpose.
This of course, is a problem for real estate listing agents, brokers and their clients. Sellers expect a real estate agent to hold open houses and advertise those open houses by several methods, including temporary directional signage. Brokers and their commercial clients may need A-Frame directional signage if they are located in a building or complex with little or no permanent signage visible to passersby.
Not only are real estate agents affected by this, but small business of all kinds is affected. In the March 2017 public meetings, small business owners from across the City told of how the elimination of A-Frame signs would impact their business. Without the ability to direct customers, businesses will fail.
At this time, it would be advisable for listing agents to explain to their sellers the difficulty of advertising open houses. At the July 6th Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Eric Fitzer, Surprise Community Development Director, responded to a REALTOR® complaint and explained the code enforcement team has no choice in siting violators as they have no ability to amend, change or make exceptions to the city ordinance. The REALTOR® complaint was prompted by a fellow REALTOR® receiving a violation notice for her A-Frame open house sign a few days earlier.
Members and their clients will have an opportunity to weigh in on temporary signs of all kinds at the August 3rd Planning and Zoning meeting, 6pm at Council Chambers, as the Planning & Zoning Commissioners consider the updated proposed sign ordinance. I encourage you to attend one or more of the upcoming Planning and Zoning meetings, give your input and suggest solutions.
In the meantime, even if the Commission recommends A-Frame and temporary directional signage on August 3rd, the City Council still must vote to accept that change and they are not scheduled to vote on the proposed sign ordinance until December. That means small business, real estate agents and their clients must make due. Unless we can persuade the City Council to reconsider.
If you would be willing to write a letter, show up at a City Council meeting or make a phone call; contact me: lrecchia@wemar.org or 623-931-9294.