AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Mayor concerned over excessive signage on the island

Signs have long been a popular method for businesses to advertise their product or service at a low cost. Many businesses place their signs on private property, where local government has little control over the height, size or type of sign used. But with growing concerns from island residents over an excess of extravagant signs going up across town, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has begun to look into ways to balance out this issue.

One of the largest signs, and the one causing much controversy, is a two screen electronic display sign which was recently placed on a property just north of the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge. According to Mayor of San Pedro Town, Daniel Guerrero, he is not too pleased with the amount of signage on the island, but most of the signs are on private property, and little can be done to stop them from going up. "There are laws in regards to putting up signs, but that is mostly for signs being placed on public property. This sign that went up north is on private property, and there is not much we can do about it. If it's a private property we can't stop you from doing what you want with it. If they want to put a sign on private property and the owner of the property says go ahead then we can't interfere. If it was on public property then we have all say whether it will go up or not," said Guerrero.

Click here for the rest of the story and more pictures in the San Pedro Sun

Great! but I disagree with the statement of government having little or no control over signs on private property.
Advertising situated on the roadside targeted at passing motorists and
pedestrians can definitely be regulated by government. Proliferation of roadside advertising which can adversely impact traffic safety as well as on the roadside environment.
Traffic needs legal advise and some gumption.

Agree with Elbert. You need a building permit for a structure. Include signage guidelines and require a permit. Easy, and a limit in size will lessen visual clutter and Le vel the playing field for small businesses.
Safety concerns would impact lighting and moving signs. Public decency concerns will become important sooner or later as well.

I guess The electronic sign/clock in the middle of the road set a precedence........good job tb...

Different Mayor then, but same individual behind the sign and clock

Yes, to be fair if we are going to have a flashing sign in our face that says, 'Jesus loves us', shouldn't we also allow, because of our large Muslim community 'La il laha il Allah, Muhammad a rasool Allah, up in lights in the town square?

Last weekend while the rest of La Isla Bonita was busy celebrating The Easter…

A group of individuals from both the public and private sector met. Spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Gary Grief, Town Concilor in charge of Housing and Planning Gabriel "Gaby" Nunez, trusted realtor and AREBB leader William Board and noted sign artist Denroy "Smurf" Norales, an advisory committee was formed, the Ambergris Sign Supervisory for Hospitality And Tourism.

Set to function alongside the Ambergris Caye Building Authority, approval for ALL new signage on the island will fall under this newly formed committee. New signs will need to be permitted and will be subject to aesthetic approval and density restrictions.

"We have identified 120 high traffic, highly visible areas and intersections on the island," explained Board. "We will be placing signs at these locations, signs which explain to residents that all signs, regardless of size, must get approval." Cautioned Board, "Spontaneous sign erection is something that will not be tolerated."

Much like new construction projects on the island, properly approved signs will be identified with a small sign showing the sign permit number, to be posted in a clearly visible manner next to the sign.

Due to anticipated demand, a contract for 5000 numbered approval signs was awarded to "Smurf", the costs having been paid in full in advance by a grant from the Republic of Taiwan.

"The signs," Smurf said, "should be done in a couple weeks."

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Scoop

So in effect we are adding twice as many signs with the addition of the approval signs...or am I missing something.

I think that was a photoshop .... The green signs are not there in reality.

Obvious April Fools post!