Longboat Key Code Administrator Randy Fowler saw the sign. And, according to the town’s sign code, that means the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center’s banner was improperly placed.

Fowler said that he called the Tennis Center late last week to notify officials that the sign promoting Fidelity Investments, sponsor of the Fidelity Investments Senior Doubles Tournament held April 16 to April 19, was placed improperly. According to Fowler, banner signs that are visible from the roadway are prohibited on Longboat Key, unless they are advertising a special event for a nonprofit organization.

Tennis Center Management Adviser John Mrachek said that the Tennis Center removed the sign immediately after receiving Fowler’s call.

“We thought we were conforming,” he said.

In order for the sign to be in compliance, it would need to face inward toward the property, Fowler said.

Mrachek said that he supports the sign code and had no problem with removing the banner. However, he noted that the Tennis Center needs a way to promote its tournament sponsors.

“The sponsors expect something in return on their investment, some visibility,” Mrachek said.

Fowler said that if the Tennis Center had not taken the sign down, Code Enforcement officials would have removed it immediately, because the property is town-owned.

“We can’t violate our own codes,” Fowler said.

Contact Robin Hartill at rhartill@yourobserver.com.

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