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The last flasher in Morrison

Contributed by: david killingsworth on 12/18/2007

Historic Watering Hole Signage Under Scrutiny

The Morrison Holiday Bar, a long time favorite known by many as "The Local Cure", is faced with dismantling their building's signage. A town ordinance that outlaws signs like theirs has recently been dusted off and become the focus of attention. David Killingsworth purchased the Morrison Holiday Bar in 2006.

Because of it's legacy and local appeal, "My commitment was to improve the building and upgrade it's amenities without compromising it's historic charm and one of the main elements I knew I would not change was the name of the business and it's all-to-familiar sign out front."

The sign, which has been flashing and welcoming local townsfolk and passers-by into the popular watering hole for over 50 years, has now been ordered out to pasture. Recently the owner and supporters requested a waiver to the sign ordinance to keep the last remaining flashing sign operating.

However, last week a 3-2 vote in favor of keeping the sign flashing was not enough as the board of adjustment requires 4 votes in favor to pass. The Morrison Holiday Bar now has ninety days to turn off the flashing lights or they can appeal the Board's decision to the town Board of Trustees.

The Morrison Holiday Bar, an après work and ski destination, is also the home for many VFW events and local fundraisers. In addition to bringing in live music on weekends, they've expanded their patio to over 1200 sq feet, added large screen plasma TVs and renovated the interior of the building, bringing the Morrison Holiday Bar back to the luster of yesteryear, with the 1890's tin ceiling and belt driven ceiling fans, and rustic wood walls adorned with a storybook of photos.

The Morrison Holiday Bar is located on Bear Creek Ave. in greater downtown Morrison.

And the town says ...
A board of adjustment reviews applications from property owners to allow variances from various ordinances. Typically, these are things like setbacks for buildings from lot lines, where unusual circumstances exist such as a gully or unusual grade or lot configuration. Town ordinances has precluded flashing lights on signs or lights which give the appearance of movement for many years. The town reviewed its sign code early in 2007, both at the planning commission and town board level and passed an ordinance amending the existing code.

Specific discussion did occur related to whether flashing light signs should be allowed or not allowed in town. Public hearings were held and a revised sign code was adopted in March 2007. Nothing changed from the previous code related to flashing light signs.

The owner of the Morrison Holiday Bar was advised that the sign was not in compliance with the code and would need to be brought into compliance. He filed a variance appeal with the board of adjustment, presented his arguments in favor of the variance request. The board decided that the variance request did not meet the requirements to qualify for approval and denied that portion of the variance dealing with flashing lights that give the appearance of movement. The applicant has some rights of appeals should he wish to pursue the matter. The board of adjustment did approve that portion of the request which related to unshielded lights being allowed to remain if they did not flash or give the appearance of movement.

A number of other businesses in town were advised they needed to update, modify or remove signs that did not comply with the code. In modifying the code that existed prior to the 2007 update, the town allowed for a more liberal code than previously existed and broadened rather than limited the types of commercial signage allowed in Morrison. The difference between past and current policy is that efforts are being made to bring about compliance with the sign code ordinance, while still allowing businesses that wish to seek variance approval and to exercise their rights to appeal decisions through the adopted town procedures.

Since the board of adjustment has the authority to modify the application of adopted ordinances a variance application is required to receive more than a simple majority to pass. The vote on the flashing bulb issue did not receive the necessary number of votes to allow the application to be approved. The board of adjustment is required to apply five specific standards in considering whether to approve a variance. These are listed in section 10-1c-4 -B of the town code if you want to go into greater detail. You can go to the town Web site and click on ordinances to review the standards, www.town.morrison.co.us.

Jerry Smith
Special projects administrator for the town of Morrison


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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
Submitted By: Don Vanpraag
posted on 1/19/2008 @ 8:09:42 AM
(Not Rated)
If we keep changing historic details, we will have nothing left to show from where we came. Maybe we should try embracing our heritage and culture instead of always trying to modernize and conform.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Rich Hulten
posted on 12/28/2007 @ 8:14:17 AM
(Not Rated)
The way I see it is that one of the board members wants to frustrate the present owner enough that he'll sell out cheap and then the board member will be able to profit handsomely. Sounds like the "California way" of doing business.
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Submitted By: Fred Turner
posted on 12/27/2007 @ 7:29:56 PM
Rated Story
I'm sad for the people who move to a small town to get away from the BIG city and like the small town feeling, as long as it is the way they think it should be. I know that The sign has been there longer and "BLINKING "than the few who feel it be should be gone. But as the story go's THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE. SO SAD !!!!
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Submitted By: Jon Helzer
posted on 12/27/2007 @ 2:46:33 PM
Rated Story
Who would vote to turn off the flashing lights?!?! Why? What are their motives? Someone really should ask. However, be prepared for a useless answer like "...Because it's the law!" Let's use our common sense, people. Is the flashing arrow sign saying "Drive your car this way" or "Get drunk and fight here"? No. It's a charming sign and a charming little place, and I'm sure it attracts revenue from folks driving through town. Not to mention the regulars who are just that because it is such a cool place. Keep the sign the way it is, the way it's been. Those of you involved in local government in the town of Morrison, and more directly, those involved in this matter, please keep in mind one of the big motivations for living in such a town; simplicity, charm. Don't let bureaucracy spoil something nice there. To me, it would be a real shame, and be somewhat depressing to see the sign change. Especially at the hands of someone besides the owner.
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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

david killingsworth

morrison , CO

david killingsworth has posted 2 stories and 0 comments since joining on 12/18/2007. david killingsworth 's average story rating is 4.67.
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