Sunday, June 18, 2006
Smaller rural communities often face the challenge of maintaining rural character while the community grows. Sign ordinances can help, but they are controversial. Regulating the tight, size, and location of signs can help significantly in reducing the visual clutter that often accompanies strip development.
When communities that this right, however, everyone benefits. The community is more attractive and property values tend to be relatively higher. A good example is Traverse City, Michigan.
Here's an article about how Clumbia, Tennessee is managing its debate over a sign ordinance.Read more.
Here's an example of a model sign ordinance from a county in Pennsylvania. Learn more.
For more resources on sign ordinances and other planning issues, check out Planners Web, a web site designed to help citizens who serve on planning commissions.
posted by Ed Morrison |
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Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
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Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Managing visual clutter with sign ordinances
