by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
CVS wants to put a sign on the front of their building identifying the store and applied for a variance to do so. On Tuesday, the Planning Commission denied the variance, as it did not meet the seven strict standards all variances must meet.
This same request for a building-mounted sign was denied in 2010.
The current sign is a pole-mounted ground sign visible from the road in both directions. Patricia Ortiz speaking for the applicant CVS argued that someone standing in front of the Sanibel Deli looking at the building across Palm Ridge Road would not be able to tell it was a CVS. This argument did not convince the commissioners.
As stated in the Planning Department staff report, “The Land Development Code regulates signage – typically in terms of ‘time, place, and manner.’ These regulations are necessary to maintain conformance with scenic preservation principles in the Sanibel Plan and to control/mitigate the proliferation of signage, particularly commercial signage, that has the potential to change the sanctuary and small-town character of Sanibel.”
The current pole-mounted sign is placed 10 feet back from the roadway even though it is allowed to be just two feet from the roadway, which would make it much more visible. This would not require a variance. The Planning Department encouraged CVS to relocate the existing ground sign to the minimum required setback of two feet.
Why not allow a reasonable front sign and grant them a variance certainly few would find that objectionable. CVS reinvested millions rebuilding and if Sanibel should lose *CVS (*CVS are closing stores now in every state) good luck with finding a suitable variety of pharmaceuticals replacement.
Vincent M . Wolanin
38 year full time resident!
A sign that identifies the entrance that currently is not good would be an improvement. Given all that businesses and residents have incurred over the last three years, the city needs to tamp down on over regulations and give everyone a break to advancing our island to getting back to pre Ian!
Thanks to CVS to staying on Island! They could have bailed!
As a resident, they are a valued business.