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Realtor drops disagreement with city over sign ordinance
By BOB McCLURE
Article published on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 |
SEMINOLE – A local Realtor has given up her plans to fight City Hall over its sign ordinance.
Realtor Lara Narzinsky said last week that her attorney, Tim Driscoll of Gulfport, recommended she drop her efforts to reverse a city order preventing a leasee from occupying and doing business at her former office at 7501 Seminole Blvd.
At the center of the issue is the signage for the site, which doesn’t meet city code requirements. City code calls for signs to be located a minimum of 10 feet from the property line, which in this case is the eastern edge of the sidewalk along Seminole Boulevard. Signs cannot be more than 25 feet tall.
Narzinsky’s sign, which stands 29 feet tall, is in violation of both the height and setback requirements. The cost of making changes to meet city code will cost her nearly $10,000.
“In an attempt to save my tenant time, we are going to spend the thousands of dollars necessary to move the sign over a few feet and lower it a few feet,” Narzinsky said. “They (the city) are trying to smoke us out. In this economy it’s too bad. I don’t know too many people that have an additional $10,000.”
Narzinsky argued that a 2003 letter from City Community Development Director Mark Ely allows her to keep the sign in its present location without modifications.
The letter stated that Narzinsky and her husband Erwin could retain the sign if they agreed to redevelop the site, which they did. Narzinsky operated her real estate business from the address until December, when she moved to her current site at 9201 Park Blvd.
Ely said the sign code was approved by City Council and is self-explanatory.
“I’m the piano player,” he said. “I don’t write the music.”
Narzinsky said she was advised by Driscoll that the cost of fighting the city over the issue would cost more than moving the sign.
“It’s disappointing but I’m not going to get into a legal battle and spend more money,” she said. “I’m exhausted by the whole thing.”
Narzinsky leased the site in January to Karen and Michael Wheeler who operate Audibel Hearing Aid Center at 10720 74th Ave. N. But due to the sign controversy they were not able to move in.
Narzinsky said the Wheelers were issued an occupational license by the city for the address in early September.
Narzinsky is now awaiting approval from the city on a permit application that will allow for the necessary changes in signage.
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Article published on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008
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