The Richmond Hill City Council delivered a crystal clear message Tuesday to Verizon Wireless officials about the city’s rules on building signs.

The council approved the company’s site plan and building elevations for a proposed 2,500-square-foot Verizon Wireless and Cellular Store at 70 Exchange St. But council members hung up on the company’s request for 221 square feet of space for three building signs.

Because the allowable signage by the city is 36 square feet, the company was seeking a variance of 185 square feet. City Planning and Zoning Director Steve Scholar told the council that if it did not approve this request, Verizon might move north and set up its store in the Berwick Shopping Plaza in southwest Chatham County.

Verizon representative Josh Keller told the council the company’s corporate office dictates the size of the signs and that the company will go “where we can do the most business.”

But his words were not well received by the council, which did not include Mayor Harold Fowler, who had an excused absence.
“Verizon provides a great service, including for family members of mine,” Council member Van Hunter told Keller. “But when I hear a business come in and say they’ll pack up and move if they don’t get their way, I don’t take kindly to that.”

For more, pick up a copy of the March 23 edition of the News.