ANNA MARIA – As part of the ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, Anna Maria commissioners are allowing business and restaurant owners to use one additional A-frame sandwich board sign and one promotional flag to help promote their businesses.
On Nov. 19, the city commission adopted Resolution R24-805, which temporarily amends the enforcement of the city’s sign regulations in a manner that allows business owners to display two sandwich boards and one promotional flag per business location until April 30.
The resolution was adopted during the regular commission meeting that preceded the swearing in of the new mayor, a returning commissioner and a new commissioner.
The resolution notes that hurricanes Helene and Milton negatively impacted the Anna Maria business community and the commission believes the extra sign and flag allowances will assist the still-recovering businesses.
The city’s code of ordinances allows one sandwich board sign per business address and prohibits promotional flags and those restrictions are expected to resume on May 1, the day after the resolution expires.
The resolution that City Attorney Becky Vose presented specifically references retail businesses, but Vose later clarified that the intent of the resolution applies to all commercial businesses, including restaurants.
Still serving as commission chair during the Nov. 19 meeting, mayor-elect Mark Short said he met with several Anna Maria business owners the previous day and the proposed sign and flag allowances were suggested during that meeting. Short said some businesses are still missing their primary signs and the additional sign and flag allowances would help in that regard.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Commissioner Kathy Morgan-Johnson said.
She then noted that while driving around town, it’s hard to tell which businesses are open.
The resolution initially proposed a Jan. 1 expiration date for the additional sign and flag allowances, but that was extended until April 30 at the suggestion of Commissioner Charlie Salem. That date traditionally marks the end of the peak tourism season and Salem said it gives business owners more time to recoup any additional sign and flag expenses they incur.
Short thanked Anna Maria General Store and Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle owner Brian Seymour for suggesting the proposed sign and flag allowances.
“Thank you for getting this done,” Seymour said in response.
