CV Takes Business' Signs

By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

Tools

By Steve Nicoles

Story Created: Jul 22, 2008 at 4:21 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 22, 2008 at 4:21 PM CST

CORALVILLE - A Coralville business man got a rude awakening from the city Tuesday. He arrived at work to find most of the signs saying his flooded business had temporarily moved were missing. Businesses in several flooded communities have put up signs telling their customers if they are open, closed or moved to a new location. In Coralville, most of the signs have been swiped because they break city rules.

It appears to be business as usual for Barkalow Realtors. The staff is working in an office on the north end of Coralville. It is a temporary office, replacing the building flooded last month. For weeks Tracy Barkalow has had signs telling his clients where they could find him. But Tuesday morning, the city yanked them out of the ground. Barkalow said, "Just to come and take our signs is a little out of character and a little ridiculous."

Coralville Building and Zoning Official Jim Kessler pulled the signs without warning Barkalow or anyone else. A city staffer says illegal signs are pulled all the time without notice. And Barkalow's signs were illegal. First, he says his signs were in the right-of-way along the strip. That is a Coralville no-no. Second, he did not apply for a 30-day temporary sign permit. Barkalow said, "It was frustrating this morning to get a response from the professional building and zoning people that we don't care and we're gonna bill you."

Barkalow says if he put his signs back up Kessler threatened to fine him $750 fine per day per sign. Barkalow is upset because he had no sense his signs would disappear. Another business owner told TV-9 most businesses ignored the permit because of flooding. And he is grateful the city waited weeks to remove the signs instead of taking them after two days.

Jim Kessler says many of the signs he removed were from out-of-town contractors. He also says he works with organizations to help business owners know the city's sign rules.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com

Next Article Cedar Falls Native Wounded in Afghan Explosion

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.