Temporary Banners Could Keep Waving at Largo Businesses

Already new businesses can advertise grand openings. 

Owners closing a shop can let customers know they are going out of business with a temporary sign as well.

In this economic topsy-turvy time, city leaders have allowed struggling businesses the ability to further advertise through the use of temporary banner signs.

They look to extend the rules that allow an owner to place a fabric or banner sign when they meet Tuesday at City Hall.

The "economic stimulus" sign permits have been steadily received and issued since the program started in July 2010. The program was continued July 5, 2011 and May 16, 2012 for a third year.

There have been 232 temporary economic stimulus sign permits issued since the program started.

Here is a breakdown of the sign permits issued each year:

• 75 permits from July 6, 2010 to July 5, 2011

• 77 permits from July 6, 2011 to July 5, 2012

Because the program is expected to end soon, it needs to be renewed one more year until a focus group can consider and adopt changes to permanently extend it.

The program could become permanent under a recommendation from the Comprehensive Development Code Focus Group.

A banner sign can be up to 32 square feet and must be affixed to a building. A fabric sign attached to a pole can be up to 12 feet tall.

The signs can be displayed continuously for 45 days every three months.

If you go:

What: City Commission meeting

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 2

Where: City Hall, 201 N Highland Ave.