A large anti-ballpark banner in Shockoe Bottom is being allowed to stay up for the time being.
Richmond officials have dropped for now their claim that the yellow banner on the side of a topless club is illegal because it exceeds size limits outlined in the zoning ordinance.
In a April 22 letter to Shockoe Bottom club owner Sam Moore, Zoning Administrator William C. Davidson said the city now agrees the sign is exempt as a political campaign sign because it cites bills that were considered by the General Assembly this year.
The bills, which were approved, relate to a financing plan for the stadium, which is part of the proposed Shockoe Center development.
Davidson added that the exemption will expire July 1, when the bills become law, because that’s when the political campaign ends. Moore, who is being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, has 30 days to file a challenge with the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Rebecca Glenberg, legal director of the ACLU of Virginia, said today that no decision has been made on an appeal, but she added that the city’s interpretation remains flawed.
She said the zoning exemption for political campaign signs must be interpreted broadly and that Moore’s sign would qualify even if it did not reference the ballpark-financing bills. She also said the July 1 date that the bills become law is of no consequence.
“We believe it is exempt now, and it will be exempt after July 1,” she said.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement