More than a half-dozen business owners have appealed to Oro Valley officials over the last two weeks to allow them to put up signs following a temporary loosening of the town sign code.
Four of the applicants had already received approval as of Friday and another two were close to receiving the go-ahead. One was just starting the review process.
One business that has already received the green light is the Hilton El Conquistador Country Club, 10555 N. La Cañada Drive.
Bernard Garnier, the food and beverage director, submitted the application for a neutral-colored banner to hang at the entrance.
"Like everybody, we've experienced a decline in business, and banners are very helpful to draw in customers," Garnier said.
He said the country club is open to the public and offers a fitness center, swimming and golf as well as food and beverages.
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Other businesses that have applied for the temporary signage are:
• Down Home Delights, 10110 N. Oracle Road, Ste. 180, which got the OK to use an A-frame sign - a sign that the owner admitted to previously using before the town agreed to temporarily ease up on the code.
• Two Supercuts locations, at 10785 N. Oracle Road and 7861 N. Oracle Road, which have requested to use signs and banners. The business noted in its application that due to the downturn in the economy, it has experienced a more than 10 percent decrease in sales.
• Sheffield's Diamonds, 7619 N. Oracle Road, Ste. 125, requested to hang a banner to publicize special promotions.
• Mercado Del Rio Car Wash, 625 E. Vuelta Caminata Del Rio, noted a lack of visibility as the reason for the need for two banners.
• His and Hers Hair Salon, 1171 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Ste. 113, submitted its application Friday, requesting permission to put up an A-frame sign on the corner of East Rancho Vistoso and North Sun City boulevards.
Businesses that would like to sign up for permission to put up temporary signage must submit an economic-hardship waiver.
If their applications are approved, business owners will be charged $50 to put up temporary signs; however, the code stipulates that signs cannot be illuminated, produce noise or flash.
The approved businesses will have to produce data within 90 days showing whether the signs made an impact.
The temporary sign relief began Aug. 2 and will be in place through Feb. 1.
The Oro Valley sign code task force will present its recommendations for making permanent sign-code changes to the council on Sept. 15.
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at 573-4175 or ahuicochea@azstarnet.com
