In Oro Valley, a community that bans billboards, sandwich boards, most neon and even garage sale signs, the Town Council is set to tinker with the local sign code.
Recession-stricken businesses are being pinched by the strictness of the current code, say some council members and staff who favor granting temporary relief.
"Some businesses are in what I call survival mode," Amanda Jacobs, the town's development manager, told the council at its July 7 meeting.
"They know some signs are prohibited, but they want to keep their businesses going."
A town-sanctioned task force also has been studying possible permanent changes to the code and will present its recommendations tonight at Town Hall.
The task force is recommending nearly two dozen changes that would increase the allowable size, type and number of business signs and the length of time they may be displayed.
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Wall-mounted signs, for example, could be displayed on three outside walls of a building instead of the current two.
Illuminated signs, which now must be turned off one hour after closing, could be turned on at 5 a.m. and left on until 11 p.m.
"Oro Valley has always been known for having the most restrictive sign code in all of Pima County," said Ramon Gaanderse, president of the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the sign code task force.
The current code prohibits 19 different types of signs, including those with balloons or flashing lights, vehicle signs, moving signs that wiggle when filled with air and portable A-frame signs that can be set out along a sidewalk or roadside.
A recent town survey of Oro Valley businesses found most favor allowing A-frame signs, while a similar survey of residents found most against.
The code also restricts the color of large signs. That's resulted, for example, in black or greenish store logos instead of the traditional red ones at entities such as Walgreens, Ace Hardware and Fry's supermarket.
Besides the strict municipal rules for signage, some commercial developments have imposed even tighter standards to try to promote an upscale image.
The Town Council is expected to tackle the topic of temporary relief for businesses at a meeting later this month.
The task force studying possible permanent sign code changes is due to present its final recommendations to the council in September.
Oro Valley resident Zev Cywan, another member of the sign code task force, urged the council at a recent meeting to protect the town's ambiance during its sign code deliberations.
"We still need limitations," Cywan said. "Forty-thousand plus people moved here for a particular kind of atmosphere to live in."
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If you go
• What: Open house on proposed changes to Oro Valley's sign code.
• When: 6 to 8 p.m. tonight.
• Where: Oro Valley Town Council chambers, 11000 N. La Cañada Drive.
Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at calaimo@azstarnet.com or at 573-4138.
