August 5 Signs of the Times Newsletter

The grind of sign-regulation news never ebbs, and will be represented in the news items. However, we’re pleased to add the story of two NFL teams taking jabs at each other via airplane-flown banners, and another that recognizes vehicle-wraps’ importance among a key entrepreneurial community. To wit:

• The NFL’s New England Patriots and New York Jets continued their years-long war of words – which transcends all New York/Boston sports rivalries, as partisans in the Yankees-Red Sox, and Rangers-Bruins can attest. Jets fans sent the first salvo during the Patriots’ first training-camp practice on July 30 with an airplane-pulled banner – it read, “Cheaters Look Up,” a reference to the NFL’s accusations against Tom Brady that he had his opponents’ footballs deflated during a playoff game. Always unflappable, Patriots coach Bill Belichick retorted, “What plane?” Patriots fans received a response with another plane the following day, piloted by New England Aerial Ads, which read “New England Aerial Ads Supports Tom Brady Go Pats”.
• Franchiseworks.com, a website that strives to link users with appropriate, entrepreneurial opportunities, provided sage advice for food-truck operators. In its article, 5 Ways to Boost Marketing for Food Trucks, its Number One tip was “Get Rolling with Vehicle Wraps.” The article features a photo of a wrap completed by Fastsigns’ Willow Grove, PA franchise for Bryn & Dane’s. A related, shameless plug: don’t forget about the Signs of the Times 9th Annual Vehicle Graphics Contest, sponsored by Mimaki, which carries a September 9 deadline. Also, for a deeper look at why wraps are so vital to food trucks, read Dale Salamacha’s Vinyl Apps column in our September issue.
• Delafield, WI mayor Michele DeYoe stated the city’s downtown business district included too many A-frame signs, and implored city officials to tighten regulations, according to Lake Country Now. Therefore, several city departments have been compelled to review existing codes and make recommendations about whether the ordinance should repeal or restrict sandwich-board signs. According to the article, the city has long restricted signage because officials wanted to preserve a quaint downtown, but, in 2009, then-mayor Ed McAleer relaxed enforcement due to the recession.
• Knoxville, TN, recently enacted sign regulations that restrict sign height and square footage, but the city is at least making efforts to communicate with the public via a website devoted to the change, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel. Peter Ahrens, director of the city’s plans review and inspections office, said staff would be available to help applicants understand the rules, and that city officials would contact larger area sign companies regarding the changes. Key provisions include reducing sign height within 500 ft. of interstate interchanges from 50 to 35 ft., and limiting overall size to 200 sq. ft. on interstates, 165 sq. ft. on federally designated highways, and 100 sq. ft. on all other roadways. Also, the city’s permit-application fee increased from $50 plus $3 for each $1,000 of the sign’s value to $75 and $5 per each $1,000 of value.
• And, Georgetown County, SC took steps to enact a ban on all billboards along U.S. Hwy. 17, according to South Strand News. Previously, the city had banned all electronic billboards on May 12. Moreover, within this zone, which includes Pawley’s Island, a popular tourist destination, all off-premise signs would be required to conform to the County’s monument-sign definition, which stipulates an enclosed base and no more than 12 ft. of open space from the grade to the sign’s peak.