Another Electronic Message Board on Manchester Road in Rock Hill?
Owners of the new U-Gas at Manchester and McKnight are asking the city for a variance that would allow them to place digital sign on the property. Some motorists say the signs are a distraction.
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Electronic message boards can often be a source of controversy. That's because some motorists say they are a distraction, especially when placed at busy intersections.
But that's exactly what representatives from the new Rock Hill U-Gas are requesting. There will be a public hearing on the matter at the Rock Hill Board of Adjustment meeting which begins at 7 p.m. at Rock Hill City Hall.
The gas station and convenience store is located at the northeast corner of Manchester and McKnight roads, which formerly housed the historic Fairfax House and Rock Hill Presbyterian Church. The U-Gas is currently under construction.
Currently, the city does not allow electronic message boards, which is why U-Gas is requesting a variance. There is an electronic message board at the Rock Hill Walgreens, but that board was erected before the city passed its measure outlawing the boards.
In an email to Patch, Rock Hill Alderman Philip Scherry, Ward 1, said he was very much against the message boards.
"Remember, this is not the same as the gas price sign," he said in the email. "Some people have referred to allowing these signs, as allowing for Time Square or the Las Vegas Strip! I never think it would go that far, as the signs cost over $10,000 each."
But Scherry said it could lead to a board similar to the one at the intersection of Gravois and South Rock Hill Road in Affton, which has received plenty of attention.
He is urging the public to attend tomorrow's meeting to voice its opinion on the proposed message board along Manchester Road.
In This article
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Rock Hill City Hall
320 W Thornton Ave., Rock Hill, MO -
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Walgreens
9801 Manchester Rd, Saint Louis, MO -
Donia Hunter
7:36 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
I've traveled that intersection for decades. The driving visibility to negotiate that intersection is horrid. I also had business on that property for 10 years before UGas built on it and turning into that lot is extremely difficult. You can't turn to see the cars in the intersection and watch for the drive into the lot without taking chances. Never mind that a gas station was not a good choice for this lot but adding an electronic sign to it will create even more distraction for drivers. Seeing the UGas station is not going to be hard. It sits on the highest piece of land around and their structure is even higher. Who could miss it. I'm sure the Rock Hill B of A will approve the sign though as they are all about development and not residents who live here.
Ron G.
3:54 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Same thing here in Kirkwood Donia, where the City Council approved the Mobil at Geyer and Manchester, despite an outpouring of residents opposed to the project. It seems all the muni's care about any more is bringing in more tax dollars. In the meantime, the residents's behind or near these projects on Manchester suffer and the neighborhoods decline in value and desirability. Its a shame the amt of developments now permitted along manchester without care or concern for the people who live behind them.
Hilary Perkins
10:01 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
A bad idea that will add to the existing visual clutter at that intersection. The signs are a distraction as well, and there's no evidence that they help bring in customers.
Philip Scherry
11:25 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
The Rock Hill Board of Alderman in 2007 made it so electronic message board signs could not be placed in the City. Tonight's meeting is requesting a variance through the Board of Adjustment. Technically without getting a variance, the Walgreens sign at Manchester and Kortwright must be replaced by 2017 with a non-electronic sign.