Should the City Council toughen up the sign ordinance and start fining businesses that put illegal A-frame and/or banner signs on
public property?
• Yes. We don’t want the city to look trashy and the operative word is illegal. If illegal, fine them!
• No. I think that the A frames and banners are tacky but enforcement of the existing ordinance should be attempted before any additional penalties or fines are enacted. It would be interesting to see if the signs actually help draw customers. I prefer the iron hand in a velvet glove approach!
• A BIG FAT NO,NO,NO,NO … Don’t we want successful and unique small businesses downtown? If signage is overregulated by the city, small businesses and downtown will suffer. Rather than merely prohibit, city codes should emphasize and encourage quality signage that is also both creative and imaginative. Our goal should be to increase the prominence of a small business and bring character to the
neighborhood.
• Yes, so many ugly signs are all over the city. Getting rid of them will make the city more attractive and let visitors and residents alike know that they’re not at a junk yard.
• No, I think the signs are fine, you can ignore them if you choose … but don’t get me started on inflatable monkeys and dancing birds, that a whole other story!
• No. I believe education regarding the ordinance to the businesses should be the first step.
• Absolutely not. For most small business owners, it may be the only way they can afford to advertise!
• I don’t mind the A-Frame signs as long as they are tasteful and brought in when the business is closed. I prefer that than the humans dressed in costumes and dancers with arrows waving at cars! However, I think there should be signage and placement regulations on signs and banners.
• NO. The current ordinance needs to be revised as it is vague.
• NO. Times are tough. A-frame signs might help direct potential customers to Gilroy businesses. As long as they don’t block pedestrian or vehicle traffic, they pose no harm and are beneficial to local commerce.
