BRATTLEBORO — The Selectboard denied a permit for a sandwich board sign on a town-owned sidewalk, sparking debate among the members of the board and the public at the Feb. 2 and Feb. 16 meetings.
Musa Alici, owner of Alici's Bistro at 51 Harris Place, had received a zoning permit from the Development Review Board for a sandwich board sign at the corner of Main and Harris Place near TD Bank.
The sign sits on town property, and to fulfill conditions of the permit, Alici's Bistro needed permission from the Selectboard.
In addition, the Development Review Board approved the sign on the condition that it not obstruct pedestrians or people using wheelchairs.
But the Selectboard denied permission because off-premise signs are in violation of the town sign ordinance, Town Manager Barbara Sondag explained. The Selectboard also raised concerns that the sign routinely blocked pedestrians.
“I'm being emotional because I feel I'm being singled out,” Alici said at the Feb. 16 meeting. “I apologize, but I have every right to feel emotional because I see hundreds of signs, mine is the only problem, and it makes me sad and angry.”
Selectboard member Dick DeGray asked if it would be fair to deny Alici's a permit given other Main Street businesses' use of noncompliant sandwich boards and off-premise signs. He suggested the town develop an ordinance to bring all businesses into compliance.
Sondag said on Feb. 26 that the town would address the sidewalk sign issue with a new sign ordinance proposal within a month. She said she is also working with the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce and Building a Better Brattleboro on the new protocols.