Initiating and Enforcing the Voluntary Sign Ban
Overall the ban has been very successful but not without volunteer effort and frustration. This is an on-going struggle. The solution is a revised sign ordinance that restricts the size, number and location of signs. Political signs should be banned from all scenic corridors. As Friends has demonstrated, the visual pollution caused by political signs can be reduced without new laws but it "ain't easy" folks. The letters below, two of many on the subject, reflect the nature of the challenge.
1998 Letter
February 7, 1998
Hal DeKeyser
EditorTribune Newspapers
7525 East Camelback Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Thank you for printing the attached letter suggesting that the City of Scottsdale revise its sign ordinance to reduce the visual pollution caused by developer signs along the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. Now the pollution problem is being exacerbated by the posting of large political campaign signs along the Scenic Drive. No matter the politician’s name, the pollution is the same.
In 1998 there are many new ways of getting a message across: telephones, TV, radio, faxes, database-driven direct mail, Web sites; etc. Do we really need to continue this archaic, invasive practice? Other than the few people running for office and sign makers, I don’t know anybody, anywhere that enjoys looking at these signs – even on "un-scenic" drives.
Some candidates are getting the preservation message and refraining from posting signs along the Scenic Drive; others are not. So let’s add political campaign signs as candidates for stricter control. Most visitors come here to see the desert and mountains, not the names and proclamations of strangers. Let’s change the ordinance, preserve the view and desert character, and meet the needs of our customers.
Les Conklin
2000 Letter
Friends
of the Scenic Drive, Inc.
8711 East Pinnacle Peak Road,
#360
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
Email: friends@scenicdrive.org
February 12, 2000
An Open Letter to Scottsdale Candidates for Public Office
Mayor: Mark Bristow, Ross Dean, Merlin Gindlesperger, Mary Manross
Council: Barbara Espinosa, Ned O’Hearn, David Ortega, Vickie Owens, Steve Partridge,
Tom Silverman, Richard Thomas, Brian Webber
FROM: The Volunteers of Friends of the Scenic Drive
Support Efforts to Eliminate Visual Pollution
Please support our efforts to preserve the natural beauty of Scottsdale’s roadsides by not posting your campaign signs along the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive (Scottsdale Road from Happy Valley Road to Carefree Highway). We also encourage you not to post signs on Scottsdale’s other scenic corridors.
Since 1994 Friends of the Scenic Drive has worked with the City and others to preserve the Scenic Drive and rid Scottsdale’s roadsides of visual pollution. As a result of these efforts, the City Council recently voted to ban temporary real estate development signs. You’ve probably noticed the huge difference that this solitary action has made. This decrease in pollution is just the beginning of what can be done.
We continue to work to eliminate large temporary real estate signs, unnecessary traffic signs and other objects that reduce the desert ambiance of our roadsides. Friends conducts litter pickup efforts along the six miles of Scottsdale Road every six weeks, donates money to roadside beautification projects, and donates time to help enforce the sign ordinance. In addition, our volunteers were instrumental in drafting Scenic Corridor Guidelines that, if implemented, will help preserve the Sonoran character of all Scottsdale’s scenic corridors.
This is more than a neighborhood effort. Many community-minded residents from different neighborhoods are quietly donating their time to have a major impact on the future of our city. By supporting their efforts you will help to -
Preserve our heritage. In 1963 area residents created the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. The Scenic Drive represents one of the first preservation efforts in Maricopa County. The goal was to showcase desert plants, establish setbacks and preserve scenic vistas. As part of the initiative Maricopa County instituted a successful ban on billboards. As a result, there were few roadside signs until the marketing of large master planned developments began.
Support tourism. A major reason visitors come to Scottsdale is to enjoy the Sonoran Desert. Few of them hike but many drive cars or take tours. They need to be able to see the desert to enjoy it. If we don’t meet our visitors’ needs, they will take their travel business elsewhere. And today, bad news travels at electronic speeds.
Have a positive impact on development. The existence of the Scenic Drive and other scenic corridors has helped the City and activists negotiate larger scenic setbacks. It’s easier to ask developers to cooperate with beautification efforts when political leaders are setting an example.
Bolster preservation efforts. The existence of community supported scenic corridors, such as the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, can contribute to the preservation of State Trust Lands along the northern parts of Scottsdale and Pima Roads. The City of Scottsdale has targeted some of these lands for acquisition with the goal of preserving visual open space and linking Scottsdale’s preserve to that of Phoenix. The existence of a credible scenic corridors program strengthens Scottsdale’s position in negotiating with the City of Phoenix and the State Land Department.
Enhance quality of life. Residents spend time driving Scottsdale’s roads. It’s not too late to make that experience as pleasant as possible.
You may feel that by not posting signs you will be at a disadvantage. We believe that Scottsdale voters will reward candidates who do not pollute the area’s scenic roadways. In the last election, the candidates who did not post signs along the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive were elected. Many candidates are already refraining from placing signs along the Scenic Drive.
If our leaders and prospective leaders do not support beautification efforts, our scenic roadsides will become as ordinary as those found in Orange County, California and Phoenix, Arizona. If we want to have a different kind of community, we have to take action – NOW - to enhance and showcase strengths that make Scottsdale different.
By running for public office you are demonstrating your desire to do community service. Thank you! We ask that you take the additional action and not posting campaign signs along the Scenic Drive and Scottsdale’s other scenic corridors.
Submitted on behalf of the volunteers of Friends of the Scenic Drive by:
____________________ ____________________ ____________________
Les Conklin Howard Myers Horst Berkner
President Treasurer Director
Copies: Arizona Republic, Sonoran News, Scottsdale Tribune, Foothills Sentinel,
