Is Coral Springs’ sign code a little too strict?

George Chandras, a resident who owns a mobile advertising business, believes it is. Chandras appeared before city officials last week to complain that one of his vehicles had been unfairly pulled over by city staff for violating the sign code. That, he said, amounted to infringing upon his “inherent legal right” to operate vehicles on state roads.

“We understand code and the city’s perspective,” said Chandras, owner of FlexAdz. “But we want to offer our services to businesses in Coral Springs. Our vehicles keep moving. It won’t be an eyesore.”

“We want to operate like any other normal business. We feel discriminated against,” the Coral Springs resident said. “Bus lines and taxi cabs carry ads for other entities. They are not restricted. We are not breaking any traffic law. It’s a legal business. In Broward, there are four companies operating six or seven such trucks.”

Mayor Scott Brook wanted the commission to discuss the issue at a workshop. “What you are asking for is a law change,” he told Chandras. “We are in a different economy than we were two years ago. We are committed to small businesses, but we have a strong sign code.”