Beware of Dogs signs must come down, neighbors say

By John M. Ayers

The Gilchrist County Commission for the second straight meeting discussed the neighborhood problem between the Averitt (L&T Family LLC) and the Cheveliers involving seventeen, 8x4 foot Beware of Dogs signs that line Averitt’s property on NE 108 Place.

These four Beware of Dogs signs are in line along Averitt’s property line
facing the Cheveliers’ residence on the Santa Fe River.

In a February meeting Tom and Beth Chevelier were accompanied by some of their neighbors to ask the County Commission to have Tom Averitt remove the Beware of Dogs signs along the road. The County Attorney, John McPherson advised the signs were on private property, but they might be in violation of the County’s sign ordinance. At that time the Commission asked the Gilchrist Planning Director and Code Enforcement officer to review the problem and determine if the signs were in violation of the sign ordinance.
On Monday, Gilchrist Planner Taylor Brown told the board that the number of signs had increased and that they were in violation of the county sign ordinance. In his presentation to the five commissioners, he indicated that he had been in contact with Tom Averitt’s attorney, Mr. Harrison, via a letter to advise the counsel that his client’s property was in violation of the county’s sign ordinance. Brown explained that his math determined that Mr. Averitt would need to reduce the signs by half and he would be allowed to have up to 15 signs on the three parcels of land owned by L & T Family LLC of Sarasota, FL. Brown told the board that he felt the signs were not temporary signs in lieu of the sign ordinance.
McPherson told the board that he didn’t think the ordinance would allow up to 15 signs on the 3 large parcels of land. He explained that he felt the signs were temporary in placement on the property.
“It is not my intent for the Gilchrist County Sign Ordinance to allow this type of signage in Gilchrist County,” explained Commissioner Tommy Langford.
Commissioner Sharon Langford asked attorney John McPherson to ride out to this site and review this violation.
Taylor Brown told the Commission that Averitt’s legal counsel reported the property owner would be in Gilchrist within a couple of weeks to further review the sign problem and try to comply with the ordinance.