Small Town News

Depot sign gets green light

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The sign for the Rivertown Depot, located at the intersection of Mill Pond Road and U.S. 501, is shining brighdy now and in full compliance with Conway city ordinances.

On Monday night, Conway City Council voted to allow Depot owner Jimmy Gerald to turn his lights back on, exempting gas stations and convenience stores from a ban on electronic lighting, but stuck with its prohibition to flashing or rotating lights.

Gerald's son, Tyson Gerald, said he is happy the issue has been resolved because business was markedly down while they were dimmed.

"It is a big sigh of relief," Tyson Gerald said.

The sign has been an issue with the city since January of 2008, according to Jimmy Gerald.

Jimmy Gerald says when he first talked with the city's Community Appearance Board about his sign, that group suggested to him using the LED lighting. The CAB never approved the sign because Jimmy Gerald said he was waiting for council to study the issue and respond to his appeal to allow the lights.

Despite the controversy Jimmy Gerald says he isn't sorry he annexed his new business into the city.

"In the long run you're a lot better off if you're in the city. I have no problem with being in the city of Conway. I just think they're a little behind in their ideas on signage," he said in August after receiving notice from the city that the lights must be turned off or he would face a fine of $1,100 per day.

Before Monday's vote, LED lighting was allowed in institutional zones and on bank time and temperature signs only.

The new rule allows the lights to be used at service stations and for their gas prices only. The new provision will be applied to highway commercial, neighborhood commercial, core commercial and production, service and industry zones and in the central business district, everywhere that service stations are allowed.

The numbers should not be taller than 12 inches and the electronic portion of the signs cannot be larger than 18-square-feet. The numbers also must be incorporated into the overall design of the sign.

The Community Appearance Board will still have a say in the design of LED signs.

The Geralds complied with the city's orders until Tuesday after the final decision was made to allow the lights.

"People really couldn't make out the prices without the lighting," Tyson Gerald said.

"It is good to see the city moving forward and not backward."

Also at Monday night's meeting, Conway City Council gave final approval to an amendment to the zoning ordinance, which will allow churches in planned districts (PD). This will clear the way for the First Baptist Church of Conway to move forward with its planned expansion.

However, the expansion still needs two affirmative votes from the council, which will take up the issue for the first time Oct. 26. The Baptist's plan was okayed recently by the Conway Planning Commission with only member Betty Woodward voting no.

Editor Kathy Ropp contributed to this story.



Copyright 2009 The Horry Independent, Conway, South Carolina. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Horry Independent Conway, South Carolina. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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