CRESTVIEW — A Main Street lawyer initially denied a permit for a sign promoting one of his properties expressed his frustration in an letter.
Nathan Boyles, a downtown attorney and owner of Main Street Eats, a food court on Main Street’s 100 block, received a denial of his permit application for a sign identifying the business.
Quoting city code, Growth Management planning coordinator and code enforcement supervisor Senida Oglesby said the colorful, retro-style sign wasn’t permitted because it was located off the premises.
“You may resubmit your sign application showing the proposed accessory sign to be located on the premises of the business for which the sign is advertising,” Oglesby stated in her Aug. 24 letter to Boyles.
But, Boyles responded, the sign is on the property. It hangs on a wall he shares with an adjacent building.
“I find it unfortunate that this issue, specifically which property owner of a shared party wall has the right of application of signage thereto, would be an issue that the city would trouble to involve itself in,” Boyles wrote Aug. 29 in response to Oglesby’s letter.
“Indeed, the worst harm that could come from the city choosing not to wade off into such a matter better left to the relations of private parties would be that two entities would utilize the shared wall to advertise both of their onsite premises,” he said. “Apparently, the city views this as an outcome that must be avoided. I view it as an outcome that should be encouraged, especially in a compact business district struggling to survive.
“Perhaps it is for reasons like this, among many others, that the city has earned a reputation for being unfriendly to business.”
After reviewing a copy of Boyles’ agreement with his neighbor, Kathy Ellis, Oglesby permitted the sign.
“In the future, to assure an accurate review of your project, please provide all applicable documentation upon submitting your permit application,” Oglesby stated in a follow-up email.
“This distraction (hopefully) resolved, I will now return to my efforts to make our city, your city, a better and more vibrant place to live,” Boyles’ letter stated.
“I would respectfully suggest that you might find your day more productive if you did the same.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City 'unfriendly to business,' Crestview attorney says