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Published: Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 / Updated: Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 04:23 PM

Draw now

Any successful business knows the No. 1 key to success is to let people know you exist.

A new Lake Wylie business can count itself successful.

More than 100 residents attending the recent York County planning meeting at Oakridge Middle School sounded out against the “Brazilian national team” color scheme of a long-vacant commercial building on Charlotte Highway. The meeting was planned by county staff to present preliminary survey results of what Lake Wylie residents want for the future our unincorporated county area. But the new business attracted more of the attention, perhaps fulfilling, in part, the county’s agenda.

Unlike cities such as Charleston and Savannah, Ga., where Rainbow Rows of residential homes are must-see tourist destinations, Lake Wylie residents apparently find an understated, neutral color palette more palatable.

To Flat Rock’s (N.C.) Little Rainbow Row of Shops on Highway 27, meant to draw business and attract buyers, Lake Wylie residents say keep rainbows in the sky.

Because Lake Wylie is not a city but an unincorporated area of York County, it’s up to county regulations to set forth plans and desires of our community. County staff and York County Councilman Bruce Henderson, our only representative on the seven-member council, are responding by drafting rules about exterior business paint color to be used in Lake Wylie.

But the fact is, this one building isn’t the only business that could be affected by the proposed color code. Lake Wylie’s beige and gray world has been seeing an array of colors pop up. Anchor Shops Place is a rainbow row itself. Some residents were even unhappy about the purple-and-green scheme at Lakeside West shopping center.

Coloring outside the box around here can raise eyebrows.

A multicolor Lake Wylie is only one decision residents can provide input on in the kaleidoscope of planning for our future.

County staff is expected to have an ordinance for council review at the Sept. 4 meeting, as well as sign ordinance issues. We agree with councilman Henderson: Lake Wylie, be there to voice your views for or against the ordinances.

In the words of Mark Scharenbroich, “Stop counting crayons, just draw pictures.”

What do you want our village to look like in the future?

Now, with the county staff behind us, is the time to act. Our success depends on us.