Illegal ads costly for companies, politicians

More than a year after Charlotte city leaders adopted tougher penalties for unauthorized roadside signs, homebuilders, gym operators, and politicians have paid fines totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

The ordinance, which went into effect in January 2008, allows code enforcement officials to give citations to the person who posts the sign or the person or organization which benefits.

Repeat violators can be fined up to $1,000 for every sign placed within eleven feet of a public road.

“We definitely got people’s attention,” said Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess, who helped draft the enhanced ordinance as chair of city council’s Housing and Neighborhood Development committee.

Burgess said she believes the tougher rules have led to a sharp decline in clutter at the city’s busiest intersections.

A database obtained Friday from Charlotte’s Neighborhood Development office shows 25 companies and individuals have appealed fines since the sign ordinance was first enforced last year.

Peak Fitness, originally fined $18,000, appealed to a Superior Court judge. The fine was later cut in half.

Another gym operator, King Fitness, paid $6,400 in fines after losing an appeal.

Homebuilder Portrait Homes was fined $23,000, but the amount was reduced to $7,000 on appeal.

Political signs, which must be removed in the days following an election, have also been the subject of fines in recent months.

Daniel Powers Roberts, a Charlotte attorney who made an unsuccessful bid for District Court Judge last fall, is appealing to Superior Court after he was fined $7,000 by the city, according to the code enforcement database.

City officials were not immediately able to provide the total number of violators cited or fines collected in the last year.

The majority of citations issued were paid without an appeal, officials have said.

Other companies and individuals who have appealed citations issued by code enforcement officials for alleged sign violations:

Homesavers/Justin Cross: Paid $7,000 after appeal

Dan Ramirez, former Mecklenburg commissioner: Paid $3,000 after appealing $3,200 fine

Nerdlink.net: Paid $3,000 after appeal

Adams Homes: Paid $1,000 after appealing $2,000 fine

Hal Jordan, former candidate for Mecklenburg commissioner: Paid $1,500 fine after appeal

Kimberly Best, District Court Judge, Paid $1,000 after appealing $1,500 fine