Town Council rejects banner request by Chamber for Restaurant Week

Marquee in the Four-way’s future?

Signs and their impact on the town have been a recurring theme in front of Crested Butte Town Councils over the years. This latest council is no exception. While sympathetic to a request from the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce to erect a banner touting the upcoming Restaurant Week in June, the council agreed with Town Manager Susan Parker and will likely not allow such promotion on publicly-owned land.

The decision came in the midst of a broader discussion of signs. Some changes will be made to the sign ordinance and the town may eventually pursue some sort of signage or marquee at the Four-way Stop to let people know of upcoming or ongoing special events. But for now, unless the group organizing an event is a non-profit organization marketing a fundraiser, no signs will be allowed at the Four-way intersection of Sixth and Elk, on the Pitsker Field fence along Sixth Street or at the corner of Second and Elk.
“Historically, the banners allowed are for non-profit organizations,” Parker told the council at the regular Monday night meeting on May 3. “They haven’t been allowed for businesses or groups that are profit-oriented. It’s usually for a fundraiser. I’d be cautious to start letting public property be used for private promotion.”
Chamber Operations and Member Relations Manager Kristen Van Hoesen had hoped the Chamber could put up a banner in town promoting the first annual Restaurant Week, slated for June 11-18. She also asked that promotions such as Think Local First be allowed to display a banner in the traditional town signage areas.
“I understand not wanting public property to be used like a billboard,” she said, “but we are asking for specific special events with multiple private enterprises participating. It is an attempt at economic development that is certainly needed right now. It’s not just a single business promoting a sale. We aren’t asking for a banner across Elk Avenue that promotes a special on steaks at the Wooden Nickel. We are trying to promote an event that brings people here and gets them to spend money in town. We see that as a benefit to town.”
Councilperson Dan Escalante told Van Hoesen the council was considering looking at ways to promote such events at the Four-way Stop, “but I’m not sure we can figure it out before Restaurant Week. Things move slowly in town government.”
Parker said she was hesitant to start changing the town code for a single event. “If we change the code it should be for a broad purpose,” she said.
“I understand the town’s concern,” said a somewhat frustrated Van Hoesen, “but we want to promote events for the town as a whole. We are trying to attract people to town and have them spend money in a typically slower time. It’s not something that would benefit one business. It would benefit a broad section of the community.”
Mayor Leah Williams complimented the Chamber on their work promoting the 25-on-25 event, Restaurant Week and Butte Bucks. “We are just concerned with the proliferation of signs and cluttering,” Williams said.
Councilperson John Wirsing said he perceived Restaurant Week as being more similar to an event like the Wildflower Festival, as opposed to a “campaign” like Think Local First. He suggested looking for a way to accommodate a sign for the Restaurant Week event.
Parker said she asked Chamber Executive Director Richard Bond to submit a special events permit application to get a better feel of how the Restaurant Week would work. “I’m not even sure what it is yet,” she said.
Councilperson Phoebe Wilson told Van Hoesen the town would consider a “permanent, tasteful structure at the Four-way that could accommodate such information in the future.”
Parker said the town’s lease with the Chamber allows them to place signs on the Visitor’s Center with town approval, “but I would still need an application and we haven’t seen one for the event.”
“We are a non-profit that seems to be being held to a different standard than other non-profits,” Van Hoesen replied. “What we are trying to do is boost the sales tax in town when times are tough.”
“We all want to make this a better place,” said Williams. “But we don’t want to lose what makes us special. We will look into a marquee at the Four-way that might address some of your concerns.”
Wirsing suggested the first step was to submit a special event permit to the town. “I think there is an opportunity there.”
“We don’t have it in our budget for such a permit,” responded Van Hoesen.
“There are two opportunities to pursue,” suggested Parker. “One is to apply for an application that might allow a sign at the Visitor’s Center as part of the lease. The other is to apply for a special event permit.”
Van Hoesen left empty-handed but would report back to the Chamber for further guidance.