Uncategorized
Tell me, Tallie: Whose sign is it anyway?
Published
7 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw Partners“Stop,” “Bighorn Sheep Crossing,” “Trailhead,” “Whoa!”: these are the messages we read on signs around Big Sky. Many of them are now toppled, crumpled or have inexplicably disappeared—the spring thaw reveals street signs, directional signs, wildlife and pedestrian signs that have been damaged from dutiful snowplows and/or errant motorists.
As the daughter of a printer (father) and a sign maker (mother), I’m particularly perceptive of signage in general. It’s left me wondering: Who is responsible for road signage in the Big Sky area? As with other topics I’ve discussed, the answer is complicated.
First, the Montana Department of Transportation oversees Highway 64, aka Lone Mountain Trail, and Highway 191 through Gallatin Canyon. Their road signs must follow the letter of the law. Sizes, colors and placement are dictated by federal mandates. As a font nerd, I was interested to learn the official typeface of the DOT is Highway Gothic. Its legibility is marvelous and makes me swoon!
However, I learned that the way-finding signs and some crosswalk signs along those roadways are the responsibility of the chamber of commerce and the Big Sky Community Organization, respectively. They install, maintain and replace those signs as needed, at their expense. The pedestrian sign that was damaged near Kircher Park will be repaired soon, incrementally improving the safety of that perilous intersection.
Secondly, and perhaps more surprisingly, all other road signs are the dominion of their respective homeowner associations. The design, procurement and installation are their responsibility. Yes, even stop signs, posts and pilings are paid for and adjudicated by the many HOAs throughout Big Sky.
The largest HOA here is the Big Sky Owners Association with approximately 1,500 members. There are even HOAs within that HOA. For example, Silverbow Condos have their own signage, above and beyond BSOA.
BSOA uses approximately $3,000 from their annual budget for signs, which pays for approximately four or five signs. A dedicated private contractor handles their stop, speed limit and road names signage.
In our neighborhood, South Fork, we recently raised our HOA dues, partly in order to replace damaged street signs. West Fork is an adjacent neighborhood and faces a similar conundrum, but with the additional responsibility of streetlights.
We live in a harsh climate and it’s expensive to maintain things that face exposure to Big Sky’s weather. Just like the exterior of a home, a simple stop sign covered in stickers needs costly and regular attention.
Are you wondering why something is particularly unique to our community? You want to know and I’m eager to learn. This column commits to answering your burning questions about why Big Sky exists the way it does. Ask me at tallie@reallybigsky.com.
Tallie Lancey is a broker with Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty and serves on the boards of Big Sky Community Organization, Top Shelf Toastmasters, and the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716