ORLANDO, Fla.,None — The city of Orlando is finally taking action against two controversial gas stations near Orlando International Airport.
The stations in question are currently charging upwards of $6 per gallon of gas, but the city says they do not have their prices in clear public view.
Even though there are signs now outside Sun Gas and Suncoast Energies, some tourists still had no idea that the gas cost almost $6 per gallon until they pulled up to the pump.
“I couldn't believe it when I saw it,” said tourist Dave Schlink.
And according to city officials, most people still cannot see the high prices.
“Ridiculous, it's like a trap,” said driver Claudia Mayes.
Last year, the city adopted an ordinance forcing the stations to have their prices clearly posted. After long legal battle, both stations put up new signs.
However, when city inspectors went out to check them earlier this month, they found they were not in compliance with the ordinance because passing drivers still can’t see the prices. On Friday, the city's code enforcement board ruled on the issue and agreed.
For drivers along Semoran Boulevard, it is virtually impossible to see any sign at the Suncoast Energies station. In fact, it is not until you pull down a side street and into the gas station that you can actually see the prices. And even then, they are easy to miss.
At the Sun Gas station there is a sign on Semoran Boulevard, but it is past the entrance and parallel to the road instead of perpendicular so drivers can see it.
“I think the signs, the way they were installed, were not intended to comply,” said Orlando Code Enforcement Manager Mike Rhodes.
At one point, the stations had accrued thousands of dollars in fines, but that bill was eventually wiped away during the court appeal process.
The stations now have seven days to fix the signs or they will start accruing a $1,000 fine each day.
Sun Gas told WFTV it will turn the sign so that drivers can see it, while a lawyer for Suncoast said it is not sure what it will do.
WFTV
