By David Lazenby
Editor
TRUSSVILLE — City Councilors tonight discussed during a council workshop how to best enforce Trussville sign ordinances.
A van frequently in the parking lot adjacent to Mr. Chen’s restaurant on Gadsden Highway was discussed during tonight’s Trussville City Council workshop during a conversation about the city’s sign ordinance.
The conversation centered on a Gadsden Highway restaurant that prominently displays promotional material on a van parked daily in a parking space that his easily visible to highway motorists.
Whether the van parked in front of Mr. Chen’s is in violation of the city’s sign ordinance was debated by the councilors who pointed out that other businesses also use similar methods of advertising.
“We need to decide if trucks with big banners on them are portable signage or delivery vans,” Councilor Jef Freeman said.
J.R. Malchus, a plans examiner for the city’s inspections department, pointed out that a banner that previously was on the van was removed and replaced with shrink wrap signage.
“He got it shrink wrapped just like the shoe company does up at Walmart,” Malchus said.
Council President Brian Plant asked city clerk Lynn Porter to email to each councilor a summary of what the city’s ordinance states in regard to Trussville city regulations on such vehicles.
“That would give us some starting point for discussion,” Plant said about the matter previously discussed during a council workshop held in July.
Councilors said they did not know if the van is used to deliver food or to conduct other business functions. However, Councilor Perry Cook confirmed that the van is moved from the location during non business hours after some at the workshop wondered if it ever left the location.
Plant added that Mr. Chen’s is not the only business that may be violating the city’s sign ordinance by having signage on their vehicles.
Councilor Zack Steele pointed out that shrink-wrapping on business vehicles has become a common means of advertising.
Plant added that some franchises require their franchisees to have a specific vehicle with specific signage on it.
Citing Paul Davis Emergency Services of Northeast Birmingham, which employees vehicles with shrink wrap advertising, Plant pointed out “they park their vehicles, but they also drive them around. They’re not just sitting in a parking lot.”
99 Comments
Scott White
Do they have nothing better to do like fixing some of these sorry roads around town like service road… or are we spending tax payers dollars worrying about someone promoting there business.
Eric J Brightwell
I’m sure there’s alot better things for them to be deciding than if a company van is used as a sign of course they are if you have a company van your going to plaster it all over it for advertising next they will be saying car lots can’t put there names on the cars they sell like I said I’m sure there is alot of bigger things that need to be done than this
David Nichols
Just another reason for not living in Trussville, Jefferson County
Matthew Vickery
A stupid thing to debate.
René Self Davis
I hate that the street corner, real estate signs are left up 7 days a week again. I really liked it when they were just put out on the weekends. It makes the streets look so much cleaner when they are not out.
Dennis Gray
Good thinking. Start imposing additional requirements and restrictions on your tax base. What could go wrong?
I know! After this, let’s go throw rocks at a hornet’s nest. It’ll be fun!
Lynn Speck Brown
Why would businesses want to come here. So much red tape and now this too.
Joe Domnanovich
No free enterprise in Trussville.
Maria Lucrecia Greguol
I dont know who is bother by this
Debbie McAuley Frederick
Amen
Sara Hettich
Well great… now i want to go eat at Mr.Chen’s.
Anthony Busby
Glad to see they’re tackling the important issues. Huge discussion over a van with a logo on it but it’s perfectly acceptable for a group to stand at a busy intersection with megaphones yelling at sinners waiting on a red light.
Josh Temple
How is this any different than any other business that has their name on the side of their trucks/vans. Trussville needs to worry about real problems that face the city i.e. schools, roads, and traffic issues. A business promoting their brand by parking a vehicle that is owned by the business at their location is of no concern. The real question is would this be a problem if the business was not located right on hwy 11? Pull it together Trussville, Hwy 11 is overcrowded and there is no real plan to address the issue.
Jacob Allen Hudson
Dear city council and mayor this is a pretty liberal City. I mean we’re more concerned about a sign and advertisement to bring Revenue to our city than to get off your lazy tail and actually fix our broken roads. And finish building projects. I can almost guarantee that the city council will come up with a new tax for Trussville an advertisement tax. Trussville never ceases to amaze me.
Arlene Thompson
The Italian place has had a van parked in their lot for years! And neither place has a sign that lights up or flashes !! Don’t see a problem
Jacob Allen Hudson
There never has been. Trussville is a Democratic City ran by people who run under the Republican name. Trussville City is one of the highest taxed for businesses. It’s no wonder why only chains survive here.
Trussville, if your not sure if your city has the chain or fast food restaurant youre craving. don’t worry Trussville has all the chains you could want Complemented by bumpy roads, potholes, and extremely bad traffic. Come on down to truss Vegas.
Dennis Tina Spencer
That’s Trussville for ya…smh
Jacob Allen Hudson
If i was mayor. Id urge the City Council to null and void red tape like this. And strip any bs tax that they imposed in the past. Id also tell them to get to work on fixing these roads
Carol Hill Megginson
The food is great! I’m glad to see them getting all this free publicity.
Jacob Allen Hudson
I would watch out having negative replies because the admin will block you from the Trussville Tribune
Dennis Tina Spencer
Yes. Trussville loves to sugar coat anything negative.
Jacob Allen Hudson
They’re kinda flying under the radar let’s not make them to known so Trussville don’t run them out of town
Jacob Allen Hudson
I think we should take Melton Automotive off our police cruisers.. I always thought it was illegal for a mayor Governor or any government’s official to make money while in office for their personal gain. Although he’s not our mayor anymore I still think we should take it down its advertisement for him.
Jacob Allen Hudson
Annnnnnnd they closed their doors
Sara Hettich
Well pooh ☹
Mark Dale
What about real estate signs? Shall they be taxed for each sign? Now there is your money maker!
$10.00 per sign and each has to have a special color sticker in the corner, different color each month and has to be purchased at city hall for each one each month. That money will go to a specific road project or even better, more red lights!
CeeJae Eckiwaudah
Omg ….that bothered me as well. There is no way I would go to any of the surrounding businesses with that going on. If I want to hear a sermon , I will go to a house of worship.
Fulmer Barry
traffic problems is what should be concentrated on The infrastructure was not designed for this many people No decent parks and I am not worried about Mr Chen’s delivery truck
Scott Sizemore
We’ve got bigger problems than signs people! Get over yourselves and get to work on crime and real issues!
Tony Todd
U no that delivery truck is making all that traffic
Debbie Carr Jarvis
Are you going to stop ATT trucks, Charter Cable Trucks, plumbing trucks, etc. from advertising on the side of there trucks? It’s all the same.
Tony Abbruzzo
Free market
Melanie Turner
Real estate signs aid in selling houses. If there are 15-20 houses in your subdivision/neighborhood for sale, your property value is going to tank. Trust me, you want real estate sold in your area, it is in the best interests of the homeowners in a neighborhood/surrounding area.
Mark Dale
Melanie Turner it was in jest.
Dennis Griffin
So, I just read all of the comments up to this point. Not 1 comment was in favor of the city. That shows me the disconnect of the city government with the business owners and the consumers.
The Trussville Tribune
CLARIFICATION: When the conversation on this matter fcame up at a July work session, the van had previously had attached to it a loose banner, not a shrink wrap decal. The councilor who brought this matter up Thursday seemed to be under the impression that this was still the case.
Diana Katrina Ingram
Took our small town and just ruined it
Sam Vining
Did they really close????
John Talley
So glad Trussville city hall is here to run every aspect of life. What ever would people do without their exceptional leadership?
Is Civitan park done yet, boys ? Didnt yall start that back in the 80s ?
Don Baker
Dustin Reaves
Hmm let’s see. Trussville Gas and Water, Trinity Contractors, Complete Cleaners, Walmart, Target, Jim n nicks, elite roofing, Home Depot, Lowe’s just to name a few I see every day in Trussville.
Bradley Moore
A disconnect between the public and the elected representatives? Not in small town Trussville, I pray.
Bradley Moore
Lord, yes! Traffic is awful as is. Ban all commercial vehicles from our roads!
Bradley Moore
You’ll get your chance to enforce your hypocritical policies on small towns once you get to a ripe, old age & get elected based upon your salesmanship & ability to advertise your name. Don’t rush life. Enjoy what freedom you have.
Bradley Moore
Complaining about promoting business in small town Trussville? That’s so 1990’s.
Priorities are in order for your elected officials, I see.
Bradley Moore
What else is there to debate about?
Kelli Penque
Should’ve voted Anthony Montalto
Debbie C. Lawley
Oh please! Fix that ridiculous intersection downtown! Braden’s is the eyesore here.
Judy Morrow Rice
What about sign they put in the empty building of Braden’s promoting the third sat of the month this summer !
Traci Roberts Henderson
Good grief I am much more concerned with how difficult it is to get in and out of that shopping area. Honestly the van does not bother me.
Rocky Casper
What about church vans?
Jacob Allen Hudson
Oh no a Banner. Quick lets call an emergency council meeting. This is a dire issue that will affect us all and hurt our city
Mike McGrath
IDIOTS need to stop UPS, Fed Ex, Wal-Mart and any other vehicle that comes in the City Limits. Have the signage police sit at all roads leading in and turn back these criminals.
Greg Widick
What’s the yearly Trussville tax revenue from this business?
Where is this business anyway because I’ve yet to be able to find it .
Jack Gilham
What’s next, requiring bicyclist to have a tag and air bags ? They already make anyone that cuts grass for extra money to have a business license. If the vehicle runs and they move it to a different spot from time to time not shit they can do about it. Maybe they need to be in charge of Homeland Security !
Laura McCants Reddick- Reichert
Near the interchange I 459 and Highway 11 near Lowes. This business on Highway 11 in in the very first “strip shopping center on the right headed towards Trussville as you exit the freeway.
Brent McDonald
I’m sorry but this is a waste of Tax payer dollars. People did NOT vote any of the officials into office to focus on things such as this. They want their parks revamped, their traffic problems solved, the city infrastructure reevaluated to meet the demands of the number of residents in the city now. I can not believe that a guy, (trying to make a living) is getting this much tension from the city for simply advertising his business ON HIS TRUCK. It’s not right, an overreach of power on the city’s part and should be legally addressed.
Carlie Scroggins
Debbi Clarke Kayla Crook
Pam Owens Knight
Tacky tacky tacky!
Michelle Wood
As a small business owner in Trussville, I also have a vehicle with a wrap, I have read through these comments and want to just say, thanks y’all! My gosh, are they just looking for things to tax? Surely there are more important things to worry about. Trust me, if you owned a business, you would be shocked at year end what goes to taxes, it’s quite disturbing! Please, support local small business!
Anthony Busby
Bradley Moore you nailed it. It almost seems more like a home owners association rather than a city council. More concerned with how pretty the outside is rather than ensuring it’s a nice place to live
Brenda Cox Mckinney
That is just stupid
Billy Weller
This is insane. I agree if truck is left everyday all day but to target shrink wrapped trucks. Cmon.
Billy Weller
This is insane. I agree if truck is left everyday all day but to target shrink wrapped trucks. Cmon.
Marlene Little Appleton
Nit picky
David Bond
Go outside and move vehicle every hour. Tell Trussvegas to shove it
Michael Eric Dale
Mark Dale i thought it sounded like a good idea and i dont see real estate values tanking because re signs are restricted. Homewood only allows open house signs on the day of the open house and nothing else- their values have not sunk.
Scott White
Billy Weller
Seems we can waste money better on something more worthwhile.
Robert McDonald
Isn’t that particular shopping center located in Birmingham? Mr. Chen’s, 1423 Gadsden Hwy #111, Birmingham, AL 35235
Mitzi Glidewell-Russell
That is just crazy. I suppose the next thing they are going to say is I can’t have my Real Estate Magnet sign on my car while driving through Trussville.
Lynn Speck Brown
FIX CIVITAN PARK!
Jonathan M. Nix
Before long it will look like Centerpoint pkwy. Very colorful signs everywhere.
Ed Davis
It’s the good ole boy system. Always has been. He just made somebody mad for trying to find a loop hole in their multi page sign ordinance. This is only the beginning of being ran out of town. Ask On Tap
Mitzi Glidewell-Russell
I am a 5th generation Trussvillian most of the ones on the counsel are transplants.
Jerry Parsons
Why I would not live in Trussville,
Ian Maddox
Just, FYI, Service Road is county. Trussville does not have jurisdiction.
Briana Moore
Easiest way to solve this – don’t drive through Trussville. There are other municipalities that will be happy to take your money.
Briana Moore
Really? Absolutely ridiculous. It’s not a road hazard or even really distracting. One would think that drawing business into a Trussville business that pays taxes to the city would be considered a good thing. SMH
Scott White
Ian Maddox
Thank you. Did not know this.
Ian Maddox
Scott White it’s confusing but there are a number of roads that are within Trussville city limits that require ALDOT or county involvement for any work conducted.
Scott White
Ian Maddox
Well service road needs paving bad. It beats your car to death.
Mitzi Glidewell-Russell
I live and work in Trussville so I have to drive through Trussville
Ian Maddox
Scott White I know!
Lauren Danielle Smith
Oh, they have so much more important things to worry about…
Jodie Ping Elkins
Jake Elkins
Dana McCaslin Thorn
Because of a van with a sign???
Dana McCaslin Thorn
Surely the city of Trussville has much bigger things to worry about! Smh
April Speanburg
Talk about petty. You’d think they’d have more important things to worry about than a sign on a van.
Tammy McCown
I am sure they can come up with a tax for that
Jerry Parsons
No to much government telling me what I can and cannot do.
Jacob Allen Hudson
It was a joke. Theyre opened. Trussville is known for running people out
David Nichols
What is Trussville going to do ….ban all words written on cars?
Tiki Kirk
I’m just going to leave this right here:
Teresa Terri Johnson Brown
It’s on private property and is not hurting anyone. Trussville you r getting too big for your britches
Mikki Adamson
Seriously?? This is your focus???
Bruce Beyer
Well, i am the owner of Mrs. Chens authentic asian cuisine, and i think this Mr. Chen has an unfair advantage in advertising. I have a Honda, and there is no room for such advertising on its tiny sides. Unfair, and im going to complain….
Kelly McDaniel
Maybe they should then also discuss Braden’s use of vehicular/mobile signs which were OFTEN parked at the BoE parking lot entrance.
Let’s discuss that $1M intersection purchase at Braden’s that turned into a poster display for those 3rd Sat events. Helluva ad campaign there!
Let’s also discuss the ghost power poles that suddenly appeared by Braden’s which now preclude the above mentioned intersection.
And has anyone ever noticed the business name of the company that did the natural gas conversion on our police SUVs? “Melton Automotive”
What about NAPA’s trucks parked outside their store?
So keep up your BS trying to put a small business through the ringer clean your own toilets before you worry about theirs.
Miranda Mason
Trussville has nothing better to do smh
Stef Martin Sierke
Seriously?!? Leave these sweet business owners alone!