"A-board signs are illegal," was the mantra at Wednesday night's monthly Southwest District Council meeting held at the South Seattle Community Center.

The initial focus of the meeting was guest Barbara Gray representing the Seattle Department of Transportation speaking on the new Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan. Gray has been on tour visiting area councils and community centers citywide to discuss the plan, including Broadview, which we reported in the Ballard News Tribune.

Its draft states its goals are rooted from the Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group in April 2008 to make Seattle the most walkable city in the nation based on four goals: safety, equity, vibrancy and health. The city decided in 2008 that priority areas for the plan would be higher density pockets like business districts where there is access to transit, rather than residential neighborhoods that are less dense, Gray explained.

"There are 450 crashes a year involving pedestrians, " said Gray. "Most occur in downtown Seattle, and most occur at busy intersections."

Based on eight maps contained in the plan's project, the focus of improvements appears to be in Southeast Seattle while West Seattle shows up as a relatively mild geographic concern. Data is based on sidewalk rankings based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Gray said.

Some council members later questioned the validity of the maps and became concerned that, based on the data offered in their draft hand-outs, West Seattle may be underserved in the current plan.

However, the A-board, often called "sandwich boards" set on sidewalks in front of businesses, quickly became a bee in the bonnet of council members when literature was passed around stating "What can you do to help make Seattle the most walkable city in the nation?"

It suggested keeping the area clean of garbage bins and cars, trim bushes and trees, and clear the walkway.

According to the Office of Economic Development, current districts with city approval for A-frame signs are "Businesses of Broadway," "Pioneer Square Community Association," and "Pike Place Market Historical District."

"I question the value of commercial districts having A-boards up and down the sidewalks," said Sharonn Meeks, president of the Fairmount Community Association. "It's an eye-sore."

"It's a wicked probelm, and not consistant with our sign code," responded Gray, who said she personally moves the signs out of the way when they block her at crosswalks. "There will be a neighborhood sweep (to remove the signs) but people put them back within a 24 to 48 hour period. When there are 12 or 14 signs all over (the sidewalk) it's an impassable walkway. "