Signs

One of the more interesting debates on Monday night was that of a sign variance for the Holiday Inn on Jones Road. The company is changing its logo, so new signs are in order.

But before we discuss this, consider a similar scenario...


Several years ago, when I was on the conservation commission, an applicant came to us asking for a variance. They wanted to build a home on a vacant lot, but didn't have the required 50-foot buffer between the foundation and the wetland behind their home. However, they did have the necessary 25-foot buffer between the front of the house and the street.

Frankly, this was outrageous; the wetlands need protection, not the street. The commission held its ground - no variance. The applicant later returned with a modified plan which included a variance from the ZBA and more buffer for the wetland.


It seems to me that the Holiday Inn on Jones Road did the very same thing. The franchisee initially asked for a totally outrageous, 36-square foot sign. During the hearing on Monday, the manager never gave me any impression that they had asked their corporate franchiser to provide something more in keeping with the Falmouth bylaw of 16-square feet. Rather, they pressed the issue with us, convincing three of the five selectmen to give them an outrageous 25-square foot sign because this is the minimum that Holiday Inn allows.

Because wetlands need protecting, the buffer between development and wetlands should - and did - take precedence over the buffer between the house and the road. Likewise, local bylaws - written and approved by the people who live in this town - should take precedence over corporate policies.

Other than accommodating a corporate policy, where is the justification for granting a variance?

Current size sign not visible enough? Not likely. This is the only business on that part of Jones Road. You can't miss it.

Hardship? I don't think so. The Holiday Inn would lose nothing by having a sign the same size as the one they have now (17-square feet).

Fairness? Fair to whom? Holiday Inn is getting a sign that is 50 percent larger than virtually every other business in town.

Don't like the 16-square foot limitation? Instead of handing out variances, change the bylaw.

Contrary to what another selectman suggested, this is not about business or the hospitality industry. It's about giving everyone a fair shake. Every other hotel and bed & breakfast in town - indeed, every other business - must adhere to the bylaw. So, why not hold Holiday Inn to the same standard?

Granting exceptions simply because of a corporate policy sends the wrong message. What happens when Taco Bell comes to town and claims a policy of 30-square feet for a sign? If we give variances just because of corporate policies, every business in town could incorporate (if they aren't already), make a similar policy and ask for a variance.

Just like the applicant before the conservation commission, the Holiday Inn franchisee requested a variance from the wrong body. The Board should have stood its ground and asked that the corporation provide a smaller sign that was more in keeping with our local bylaws. The selectmen should be protecting Falmouth's quality of life, not a corporate image.