After due consideration it has become all too obvious that our fair City has far to many restrictions on new (and existing) businesses for our own good.
Every time a person or a company places an application before the P&Z Board they are me with a certain type of resistance and questioning that seems more designed to keep them out rather than welcome them, and assist in their endeavours.
Once they pass muster at the P&Z Board they then have to bow to the wishes of the Sign Board. It is, more often than not, this "hoop" that seems to throw a wet blanket on the hopes and dreams of the prospective business, as I believe Crestwood's sign ordinances are far too restrictive.
It is my opinion that we must do something with our "Economic Development" Board (jump start it, or replace personnel,) as well as looking into revamping the out moated regulations so we can attract (and keep) a vibrant business community.
Tom Ford.
NO. 1016
13 Comments:
You should have seen what businesses had to go through in the 1970s and 1980s.
I did, first hand! It was a mess then and it's a mess now, so how do we change the now part?
Tom Ford
I could not agree with this post more. It is way past time to change all the silly, nit picking little things to keep businesses out. Time to welcome them with open arms, recruit them, whatever is necessary.
How many boards does a business person need to go thru before it goes to the board of aldermen. Why do we even have a sign board?
3:50 PM Blogger: It depends on what sort of business you wish to open.
For instance if it's a bar, economic development (if they ever meet,) P&Z, sign, and at least two BOA inquisitions.
And God help you if you want to put it within 50 miles of any sub division!
Tom Ford
part of the problem are the residents. I don't want to lay all the blame at the doorstep of the board. (most of it, maybe) But residents complain loudly and object, it seems to me, to every little thing any business wants to do, and it's very frustrating. If we want new business, then residents need to quit objecting to every sign, light, parking situation, etc, etc.
The residents bear most of the responsibility. Listen to all of the people that complained about the new "Pints and Rails" bar. The senior citizens and the management of the senior home behind it wanted the bar to close at 10:00 p.m. I'm glad the BOA rejected that ridiculous demand and went ahead and approved it 7-0.
To the poster who asked about a sign board: you have a sign board to approve the signage a business wants to put up, and to make sure it is done in a tasteful way that doesn't lower surrounding property values or create a safety issue for traffic. I think almost every major municipality has sign boards and sign regulations. Maybe I'm in the dark, but I don't remember Crestwood being unreasonable about signage anytime recently.
The Bingo, Matlock, and Mercury Grand Marquis crowd is the anti-business crowd. It would be nice if they realized we will need all the business we can to support them during their golden years.
I remember when I was 40 (now 70) and working for Crestwood. The people who were on the Planning and Zoning Board, Sign commission, etc. were the people who wanted Crestwood paved in beautiful stone with streamlined beautiful trees, and other ridiculous stipulations. They made people jump through hoops to get a business established in Crestwood. Also, unless their signs were all neutral colors which nobody could see from Watson Road in the first place, they voted against it. I hope and trust that still isn't the case today. But those ill effects and stories I am sure are still around today. I thought it was terrible the way the city handled new businesses but the stigma I am afraid still lives on.
"The Bingo, Matlock, and Mercury Grand Marquis crowd is the anti-business crowd. It would be nice if they realized we will need all the business we can to support them during their golden years."
This sounds great! The city is going to support me...no taxes, no fees, free housing, free transpotation!
All I have to do is start going to bingo, watch Matlock, and trade my minivan for a mercury. Where do I sign up??
12:03 PM Blogger: Gee whiz, may I suggest you take out your check book and write a check from YOUR account to assuage the guilt you seem to be feeling?
John nailed it, where do all the seniors sign up to get your version of the "free lunch?"
I do believe Dame Margret Thatcher said something that really seems to fit here "The trouble with liberals is that sooner or later they run out of other peoples money."
Oh and by the way, the next time you see a senior shopping in Crestwood stop and thank them for helping to pay for all the amenities you don't wish to live without!
Tom Ford
Seniors helped with the tax burden when they had more disposable income.
For a city to thrive it needs a working class with the ability to spend.That has not happened.Families move away..and the viscious circle of lost revenue spins faster and faster. Increasing taxes mearly adds to the momentum.
3:45 PM April 27th
Upon which data are you basing your observation that working class families with the ability to spend are not repopulating Crestwood as seniors and/or families leave?
Martha Duchild
Censusviewer.com
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