04/30/2007MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
APRIL 30, 2007
The village board met at 4:00 p.m. in the conference room of the village hall on
Monday, April 30, 2007. In attendance were:
Village Board Staff
Robert Benton, Trustee Robert D. Franz, Village Manager
Michelle Feldman, Trustee Philip Kiraly, Asst. Village Manager
Harriet Rosenthal, Trustee Jeff Ryckaert, Principal Planner
William Seiden, Trustee Jean Spagnoli, Planner
Barbara Struthers, Trustee
WINDOW SIGNAGE
Trustee Benton chaired the meeting scheduled to discuss the proposed Window Signage
Ordinance. He reminded those in attendance that this was a workshop and that no final
decisions would be made. He asked board members to express their position on the
ordinance and what amendments they might be willing to consider in hopes of reaching a
consensus.
Discussion ensued, with the following points emphasized:
• An ordinance should not be tailored to address specific cases but rather for general
applications and adherence by all businesses.
• As drafted, the ordinance provides for three specific situations in which appeals
would be made to the Appearance Review Commission:
➢ Redundancy of permanent signs to allow the same sign to be displayed more
than once per elevation,
➢ Business signs allowed to have a greater square footage if no exterior business
sign exists,
➢ Cover an entire window if unsightly views exist.
• Permanent signs would be grandfathered for two years. Some trustees opposed any
grandfathering.
• The ordinance should be amended to allow “open” signs to be a maximum of two sq.
ft. in both the Village Center and C-2 Districts.
• Community event signs are permitted within the percentage allowed for temporary
signage.
• There is still debate on the percent of window signage that should be allowed and the
breakdown of that percentage – permanent or temporary.
• Some trustees feel the proposed regulations will negatively impact businesses; others
believe it is fair and equitable and will make for more attractive shopping areas.
The meeting was opened to public comment:
• Walgreens representatives stressed the need to advertise that they are a 24 hour
pharmacy. Also, the commented that they think less signage in their first floor
windows will actually make the store less attractive.
• A representative of Cellular One asked the board to keep in mind that national
retailers have uniform signage that is difficult to alter. He suggested that merchants
choose the type of signage within the 25% limit, but that a cap be placed on the
amount of temporary signage.
• Other comments included the pros and cons of window signage as it relates to
motorists . . . . marketing vs. public safety.
• It was suggested that there should be no limit on community event signs so long as
they do not advertise the business.
The board concluded that no agreement on an ordinance would be reached at the meeting.
They directed staff to prepare drawings showing what 60% window coverage would look
like (60% of glass from mullion to mullion, not 60% of window area, which is structural
support to structural support). Another meeting will then be scheduled for further
discussion.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Minutes prepared by:
__________________________________
ROBERT D. FRANZ, Village Manager