[Durham INC] billboards in Cary

[Pat Carstensen]

I don't know if this was in Durham editionsA decision the Town of Cary made more than 20 years ago to eliminate all large signs and billboards is still being argued in court.The Cary News last reported on the issue in March 2008, highlighting a Fairway Outdoor Advertising billboard that has stood on East Chatham Street for over 50 years, which town officials decided was overdue for teardown.The town approved a Land Development Amendment in 2003, putting all rogue signs on notice and officially starting a three-year countdown for removal by July 1, 2006.Two holdouts emerged: Fairway’s billboard and South Hills Mall, for a sign on the side of I-440 North that’s too tall.The deadline came and went, and both Fairway and South Hills’ owners left their signs standing. Fines started to rack up, eventually to the hefty rate of $500 a day.An appeal by Fairway in March 2008 was denied by the town’s Zoning Review Board. South Hills did not respond, according to town officials.The Fairway billboard stands to this day, some calling it “the last billboard in Cary.”The South Hills Mall sign also remains, plainly visible beside Burlington Coat Factory.Fairway’s fines were reduced to $31,816.50 and frozen at the time of appeal, but South Hills, because they did not appeal, continues to accrue penalties daily — as of Dec. 12, its fine was recorded at $278,350.Fairway has taken its case to the State Superior Court and is being represented by Durham’s Faison & Gillespie. The hearing is slated for spring of this year.The town has initiated litigation against South Hills, according to a spokesperson at the town’s Public Information Office. 
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