Minutes 06/26/1956 - Laserfiche WebLink

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12 JUNE 26. 1956 TUESDA Y In considering further a recent request submitted by the local Retail Merchants Association that "business district" directional signs be placed at strategic or appropriate locations on Memorial Boulevard, Council received and concurred in the following report and recommendations from Traffic & Planning Engineer Irving R. McGhee through City Manager ~ ,.. Hirst: I have studies this request carefully and have reached the following conclusions: .... ~ .1 . ~ 1. That the City does have a concrete interest in the preservation and growth of its downtown. 2. Present signs are inadequate to lead strangers to the downtown area without some confusion., ,/ 3. From latest traffic origin and destination count ~ata, taken in 1955, the percentage of thru traffic approaching Martinsville, including trucks, is 31%. The remainder have a first destination in Martinsville. I 4. That there is no right-of-way on south Memorial Boulevard on which a sign larger than (3) three feet wide could be placed. The same condition will exist on north Memorial Boulevard if present plans are pursued for its widening. ... 5. That our codes prohibit the erection of signs other than traffic information signs on a street right-of-way. 6. That the downtown is faced with the problem of inadequate parking facilities generally. 7. That normally promotional signs of the nature requested are a function of Retail Merchants or a Chamber of Commerce and are placed off the Street or highway. Considering the above, I submit the following recommendations: 1. That the City add a number of ltBusiness District" signs with information as to the proper lane to follow to get to the downtown, preceding the intersection at which a turn must be made to proceed to the downtown. That these signs be made as large as practicable in keeping with available right-of-way. 2. That if it is found that the City owns any property, in suitable locations, beyond the normal right-of-way of the Boulevard, that would not damage adjoining properties by erection of signs, that this property might be made available in some manner for promotional signs of a collective advertising nature, provided they would not be discriminatory in character and provided the Retail Merchants Association desire to erect them. I respectfully submit the above recommendation for your further consideration.