Oro Valley business owners got a reprieve last week as the Town Council agreed to ease up on its sign code.
Though the council agreed on July 21 only to a temporary easing of the code, business owners are hopeful it will result in increased sales.
The measure passed on a 6-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Bill Garner dissenting.
The temporary code allows business owners to complete an economic-hardship waiver explaining why they need additional signage and the type of signage that most benefits their businesses.
If their applications are approved, business owners will be charged $50 to put up temporary signs.
Oro Valley Mayor Satish Hiremath reassured residents that they would not be seeing "Batman search lights" all around town, as the code stipulates that signs cannot be illuminated, produce noise or flash.
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Additionally, businesses approved for temporary signs must produce data within 90 days showing whether the signs are making a difference.
For Bonnie Quinn, owner of the Down Home Delights bakery and cafe, the temporary relief is encouraging.
Her business, at 10110 N. Oracle Road, Suite 180, is set back from the street and has "horrible visibility," Quinn said. She said she recently had to resort to violating the town's code to bring in more customers.
She put out an A-frame sign last weekend and, as a result, doubled sales revenues from the previous weekend.
"I didn't take pride in stooping to that," Quinn said. "I figured the revenue that would come in would be greater than any fine that could be imposed for the sign."
The fine for violating Oro Valley's sign code is $100 for each day a business is in violation, said town spokeswoman Mary Davis.
Quinn said she will now go through the proper channels and apply to display the sign temporarily.
"I will wait to use my sign again," she said. "My business, like many others, is in a very bad position, but I am very encouraged and optimistic that the town is supporting us."
The temporary sign relief will be in place from Aug. 2 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.
Other Oro Valley Council news
The council unanimously approved the appointment of Jerene Watson as town manager. Watson had been serving as interim town manager since October following the resignation of David Andrews.
Her appointment makes her the first woman to hold the position in Oro Valley's 36-year-history.
"It's a great honor and I consider it a privilege to serve the council and the community," Watson said. "This is a very top-level community - it's got citizen involvement way beyond many others."
Watson started working with the town in 2007.
The council voted to add two holidays to the town schedule - Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Councilman Steve Solomon called the change "a wonderful way to give back to employees," as staff members have had to endure increased workloads and forgo pay raises.
The option was first explored in 2009, when Watson authorized those days as paid vacation.
A version of this article was published Friday in the Star. Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
