Zoning board: Wesley’s sign violates law

Repeated vandalism did not force the peace-promoting sign in front of the Wesley Foundation, 1400 S. Washington St., to come down.

But the Mount Pleasant Zoning Board of Appeals said the controversial sign violates city law, prompting free-speech rights accusations.

The board unanimously voted “no” on Foundation Chaplain Director Eric Stone’s motion for a 60-day variance from the city’s signage requirements, which state no church property in a residential zone may have more than 24-square-feet of sign, during a Wednesday meeting at the Mount Pleasant City Hall, 401 N. Main St.

“Nothing they said tonight proves that they are worthy of a variance from the law,” said Mount Pleasant Building Official William McCracken. “We are not trying to make a political statement or deny free speech. We are just trying to enforce the codes.”

When the square footage of the 24-feet by 4-feet sign, which reads “We Value all Life(;) End the Cycle of Violence,” and the other three signs on the foundation property are added together, the foundation is about 115 square feet over the city’s allotments.

“They are way over,” said Mount Pleasant Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Pete Tolas.

Pending Stone’s receipt of requested paperwork proving the board followed proper variance application procedures, the foundation may have to remove the sign from its current home Monday.

“There’s been a lack of free speech in this city,” said Mary Irvin, Wesley Foundation research assistant. “This sign is about how we support nonviolent peace activism.”

Only about nine out of 10 variance requests are granted and none over sign regulations of this degree, Tolas said.

“We don’t grant variances, and we’re not out to do it,” said Wyn Derry, board member.

The board may grant variances when surrounding residences and businesses do not object.

Neither the Christ the King Lutheran Chapel, 1401 S. Washington St., or the St. Mary’s University Parish, 1405 S, Washington St., object.

“We don’t have a problem with it. It has been up for months,” said James Krach, the pastor at Christ the King.

McCracken said this was not enough to justify breaking the codes. The sign also is a visual obstruction that hinders driver’s views, he said.

If the Wesley Foundation was not in a residential zone, the problem would be lessened. Sign restrictions are tightest in those zones, McCracken said.

The church would have been alerted of the violation sooner, but McCracken was not aware the foundation was not a part of university property.

“I have no jurisdiction on university land,” he said.

The sign has been in place since October.

Community members complained to McCracken regarding the sign. He checked into it and found the foundation was separate from the university and therefore subject to city regulations. He notified Stone March 25. Stone then paid the city $250 to request a variance.

When a citizen applies to the zoning commission for an exception of the rules, the board is required to alert all surrounding properties within 300 feet of the questioned property as well as make sure a notice of the hearing appears in print.

Stone said he doubted there was a notice in the Morning Sun and said he was certain Concord Apartments, 1110 West Campus Drive, were not notified, but are within 300 feet of the building. If the board cannot supply such proof, there will be a re-hearing at the next monthly meeting.

McCracken said he was certain official protocol had been followed and promised Stone would receive such proof by Monday.

“If the board has not followed procedure, then I will get the sign (to stay) up for 30 more days,” Stone said.

However, if the board is within the rules, the foundation will comply and remove the sign.

McCracken said he would allow a 4-feet-by-4-feet sign, which is still beyond what is allowed.