Middle Township’s perennial albatross returned from afar last week and landed smack in the middle of Rio Grande. That “albatross” is an often-ignored ordinance that covers flags, banners and other attention-getting devices. The ordinance was passed in December 1991 with the intent that the township commercial areas would not resemble Tilton Road in Northfield, Atlantic County.
There, an array of businesses is stacked donut shop upon car dealership upon fast-food restaurant with a seeming array of flags, banners and anything short of a blimp to draw attention of passersby. Middle’s solons at the time wanted their fair community to retain an open, attractive, eye-appealing landscape. While offering an olive branch to businesses for special occasions, like grand openings, the ordinance controls wild contrivances to win our eyes while driving.
Regardless. like a yard filled with dandelions, so that seeing the yard is impossible, the issue of flags and banners painted the offshore municipality in metropolitan media to look like an ogre and a hater of American flags, which it is not, and never has been.
It was a real episode out of the Wild West, and “who shot the sheriff?” Obviously nobody. It will never be known, honestly, what was said by the municipal code enforcement official or the diner owner. Because it takes two to tango, the dance ended when the diner owner took down the banners. Mayor Susan DeLanzo explained the township’s side of the fracas at the July 18 Township Committee meeting.
I fear that was just Round One of a boxing match that may go on endlessly. On July 22, those flag banners reappeared.
“The intent of this chapter is to provide temporary signage for commercial businesses to identify special events. By permitting temporary signage, the control and enforcement of such signage will be enhanced.
The regulation of signs under this chapter is intended to ensure that the proposed signage is compatible with current surrounding land uses, creates a more attractive economic and business climate within the commercial and industrial area of the township, protects and enhances the physical appearance of all areas and reduces the distractions, obstructions and hazards to pedestrian and auto traffic caused by the indiscriminate placement and use of signs,” the ordinance states.
“Each business or industry is encouraged to display or promote any national, state, municipal or nationally recognized foreign flag. The multiple use of such flags should be limited. No more than three poles should be used to fly such flags, and at all times the flag should be flown to follow the Etiquette of Stars and Stripes as per the National Department of Americanism.
“Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to apply to the American flag. The American flag may be flown or displayed without limitation,” the ordinance states.
As beauty takes place in the beholder’s eye, so compliance with Middle’s ordinance must take place in a merchant’s mind. What they may see as attractive I, for one, think looks gawdy. Let me be clear, I am not thinking about the diner around which the flag fray centered.
Frankly, if the framers of that 1991 Middle Township flag and banner ordinance could see into the future at what the township looks like, they would probably gavel the meeting to a quick end and head straight over to the Bellevue Tavern for a couple of drinks.
Many merchants shun the law, put up a sign, and defiantly declare, “Let ‘em come and tell me to take it down. What about that sign up the road?” And they usually have a valid point. There are violations, some flagrant, but violations only cease when there is a concerted will to have compliance. No end runs allowed, the law has to be the law, or it is useless.
Once again, if they are not going to enforce the law, why have statutes on the books?
Having suffered through endless planning and zoning board meetings over time, I know applicants will promise the world to get approvals for signs. Most of the time, compliance comes, but sometimes it takes enforcement to make things work.
Almost everyone in Cape May County rides through Middle Township at one time or another to get to the beach or boardwalk. Look around at the commercial scenery. Do you like what you see, or does it resemble Tilton Road in Northfield?
Oops, there goes that albatross again!
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
