During a special Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Thursday night members listened to Jon Webster, owners of Mooney’s Ice Cream Parlor present his case to keep the current light sign at 309 East Jefferson Street until the new one is ready.
Webster told BZA members present, only three of the five member board were present, that his signage is extremely important to his business and if he is charged the $150 daily fine he would be out of business in a month. He asked to have until June 7th to keep the sign that is in violation in place. He also said he would be removed the sign as soon as the new sign is ready.
Webster told BZA members that he found the whole process confusing and said, “I feel like as though this board has tied our hands as opposed to, in a sense grab us by the hand and guide us and help us.”
Board president, Mark Gidley said “It’s unfortunate that City Building Commissioner Keith Hammonds is not at the meeting.” He then stated, “On more than one occasion I have been told by Keith Hammonds that you were advised that you needed a permit for the sign and you went ahead a put it up anyway.”
Webster still contends that Keith admitted he never told him he needed a permit for the sign. Getting frustrated at that point Gidley said, “One of the players is not setting in that chair!” referring to the city building commissioner. He continued, “We are volunteers, he’s paid to be here and he’s not here.” Gidley said he was sorry but he’s just a passionate about this community as Webster.
When asked if the new sign was in production Webster said they were still price checking. When asked if the sign would be ready by June 7th they were assured it would be and Webster said, “If it’s not ready, on June 7th at 12:01 a.m. I will get a chainsaw and cut it down,” referring to the current sign.
Gidley also said a comment during the discussion threw up a red flag with him and he asked Webster to make sure an internally light sign was permitted in his zoning.
Prior to making a motion BZA member Phil Scott said, “This group is a group of citizen volunteers that does not go out looking for violations or businesses to close. I’ve had a good relationship with Mr. Webster. I visit his establishment weekly. I’ve got no qualms with what he has. I’m echoing what Mr. Gidley said earlier, our job is not to go out and see who in the community we can shut down or fine. Our job is to act upon the findings of fact of things that are brought to us. I think that misconception has been spread throughout the community in the past weeks.”
After nearly an hour of discussing the issue the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals motioned and voted to permit the Ice Cream Parlor sign to remain in place until June 7th.
