The City Council met with staff the other night to finalize a policy calendar for the next fiscal year. It’s that time of the year when budget issues and city services and projects are evaluated and planned for the future.
Once again we are faced with budget concerns, but certainly not like last year. I will say our city staff has done an impressive job in keeping fiscally responsible. One of our “in house projects”, for which we are anxiously awaiting completion, is Ryan Park. This stunning facility will be an even more exquisite entrance to our beautiful city. I compliment the Parks and Recreation Department for a magnificent job.
One of the issues that will be up for discussion this year is the city’s sign ordinance. The council has put this item on an “important status assignment” for the planning department. A committee through the Chamber of Commerce has worked very hard over the last year to evaluate the current ordinance and compile suggestions that will support and enhance our business community.
I am very interested in evaluating and discussing these suggestions because I don’t think we’ve done enough to help the businesses in this city. We have witnessed an unfortunate trend that has seen many long time businesses close down or move away and some of our larger companies are not easily noticed.
I recently spoke to an individual who came into our town to dine at a local restaurant and could not find it since there was no sign to readily identify it. In my opinion our signage policy is too restrictive and detrimental to the continued success of our local businesses. It’s time we take a look at the ordinance and see where we can make reasonable and tasteful changes.
I look forward to your comments about this and any other issue facing our community by emailing me at lkoelling@fostercity.org
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