Signs signs everywhere signs

[Phil Florian]

Jim might be able to answer this since, you know, it is his business but I was curious as to why certain hunks of the city storefronts have seemingly strict awning/sign guidelines and others do not. I assume the city sets these rules? Or is it the owners of certain blocks of storefronts?

This is merely a curiosity because I keep driving by the plaza that contains Quiznos and Blockbuster on Detroit where all the signs are red...except one, the Harold Hannah (or whatever the name is) realty sign. Why do all but one have to conform to a single color?

Why have any signs conform to a single color? I can see trying to find an aesthetic for a particular grouping of storefronts but it seems a bit bothersome to be so particular, especially if some don't have to follow it at all.

Just curious.

Thanks!

Phil

[Jim O'Bryan]

Phil

The rules as I understand get broken down to permanent and non permanent signs. Also it is my understanding everything 10" back counts as a display and not a sign.

Temporary signage is not regulated as heavily as permanent. Banners, are a separate story. City does not like them but does not outlaw them. hard to get the OK.

Sign laws are few, but the ones I know.

Only one business name on a building/address.

The name of the business can only be used once.

And the size has to fall into the area of the last sign,
(In the 80s this was each sign had to be 10% smaller than what it replaced!)

From there it is very subjected to the building department. i know of a couple nightmares, but nothing that wasn't finally settled. the city could do a much better job putting the rules in writing. But to be honest I haven't asked for them since I did the sign for Nautique and the Music Company and Rozi's (temporary signage).

Let's see what Ed says.




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[Edward F. Fitzgerald]

The City of Lakewood has a sign ordinance that regulates all signs, before a sign is installed, an application must be made to the Architectural Board of Sign Review for approval. The board reviews the application and drawings for conformance to the ordinance, if the proposed sign does not comply with the ordinance, the board may grant a variance and approve the sign as submitted or with variations. There are many variables involved in this process and the decisions that the board makes in their review of proposed signage.

After approval has been achieved, a permit is secured by the installer of the sign and an inspection is made so as to make sure the sign is installed not only to building code and possibly electrical code standards, but to the approval of the Board of Sign Review.

[Jeff Endress]

Interesting on the issue of signs.....

I just received a "going out of business" flyer from North Coast Beds...you may remember them from their "Pickets scattered throughout Lakewood during the warm months. (or perhaps from their less than memorable TV ads with Joe Charbeneau).

Don't know if its yet another ploy....looked like they were "liquidating" all summer. Sure won't miss those huge orange placards in any event.

Jeff

[dl meckes]

I've been to a couple of A.R.B. meetings. They were very interesting but tremendously long! The two meetings I attended did have a few huge projects on the docket co-mingled with smaller issues (home related or business signs) and ran at least four hours.

Those meetings, which are held the second Monday of the month, only represent the public portion of the Review Board, not the time that those citizens spend doing their homework and reviewing all the plans put before them.

A.R.B. works with the people who come before them. They normally don't simply accept or veto a project, they ask questions and provide input.

This is one of the (many) citizen run groups that guide the city of Lakewood. I give those who serve on this board a lot of respect because they really devote an enormous amount of time to their work.

[john crino]

[quote=" Why do all but one have to conform to a single color?


Phil[/quote]

I believe it the focus groups that show how the average american responds best to hunter green and Red. That's why there are so many lame colors and logos ala Charter One bank and Howard/Hanna

[Jim O'Bryan]

The City of Lakewood has a sign ordinance that regulates all signs, before a sign is installed, an application must be made to the Architectural Board of Sign Review for approval. The board reviews the application and drawings for conformance to the ordinance, if the proposed sign does not comply with the ordinance, the board may grant a variance and approve the sign as submitted or with variations. There are many variables involved in this process and the decisions that the board makes in their review of proposed signage.

After approval has been achieved, a permit is secured by the installer of the sign and an inspection is made so as to make sure the sign is installed not only to building code and possibly electrical code standards, but to the approval of the Board of Sign Review.

Ed

Does this apply to temporary signage?

Does it apply to the Wig Salon on Larchmont and Detroit?

Why was Natique turned doen on the requesto to move the sign to the top of the building for 3 years, then the new business came in and was allowed to put a much out of code sign to the top of the building?

Why was Sign Lite told, no not that color blue (redraw), no not that color blue(redraw), no not that color blue(redraw) Oh we are not suppose to tell you what color blue only what color not to use.

Or so the stories go.



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