By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

 

Tryon Town Council could decide in January whether to ban signage around Morris the horse downtown, which historically has been allowed for certain events.

Council met Dec. 15 and set a public hearing on the issue for Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Community Development Director Paula Kempton said there has been some confusion regarding signage allowed around Morris. She said some thought there was an ordinance regarding signage but there is not. The policy currently is that people wanting to place a sign at Morris are supposed to call town hall and ask permission and the town gives permission. Kempton said it’s getting way out of hand and there are too many signs around the town mascot.

“There’s become so much confusion we need to hold a public hearing to decide what to do,” Kempton told commissioners.

The property is owned by the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) with Kempton saying although the state would not enforce it, no signs would be allowed on the property.

Since Tryon has been consistent in allowing signs there, in order to no longer allow signs at Morris, commissioners would have to start a new consistency, or a new policy or ordinance.

The Tryon Board of Planning and Adjustment met in November and approved new language regarding signage at Morris that includes banning all signage within 10 feet of Morris.

Tryon Town Attorney Bailey Nager said the reason for the 10 ft. distance is there is a sign about Morris 11 ft. away from the horse. Nager said it was his recollection there could be one sign there at a time, but in looking at minutes it’s not clear. He said there are a lot of problems with the implementation of the town’s policy with some people just putting signs there without permission and more than one sign being there at a time. Nager said the town either needs a new policy or an ordinance but either way something needs to be decided moving forward.

Commissioner Bill Ingham said signs for events such as blood drives, Super Saturday and the beer festival he hates not to allow.

Planning and Adjustment Board Chair John Walters said those type signs were the original concept to allow, but never for businesses.

Commissioner Roy Miller said he doesn’t think it was ever specified what types of signs were allowed, business or otherwise.

Commissioner Crys Armbrust asked if there has been discussion about providing an alternate location for the same signs in question. Walters said there has been discussion but an alternate location has not been decided.

Miller said he agrees with Ingham that Morris has been the center point of advertisement for many events, such as Steeplechase, MLK day and Bingo for the VFW.

Ingham said some kind of language is needed to allow for community events.

Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples said the key word is community and the town will get that feedback during the public hearing.

Tryon meets in the McCown room of town hall. The public hearing is scheduled on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. with the regular meeting scheduled for 7 p.m.