Medina may tighten sign standards

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Ellen J. Goods recently put up a sign on Main Street that includes a chair. The Village Planning Board hasn’t approved the sign, but could during its meeting next month.

MEDINA – The Village Planning Board and Code Enforcement Officer Marty Busch may update guidelines for signs that includes colors, façade changes and other information about the looks of the buildings.

The board and Busch said some building owners are putting up signs without first getting village approval. The board doesn’t want businesses to incur added costs by re-doing signs, but board members said they should be consulted on signs.

The issue was raised last week when the board reviewed an application for a sign at 433 Main St. The sign for Ellen J. Goods, a business with vintage furniture and antiques, already has been installed and includes a chair attached to the sign.

Planning Board members tabled the application because they wanted to see what the sign looks like during the daylight. Signs need a certificate of appropriateness from the Planning Board when the signs are in the historic downtown business district.

Board members said they aren’t necessarily opposed to the sign. A few other sites have projecting elements as part of their signs, including one with a sewing machine and a barber pole. Some historic photos of Medina show businesses with horse shoes and a giant sneakers attached to signs.

Planning Board member Todd Bensley said the board should work to develop a booklet with design guidelines. The board has talked about that initiative for about three or four years.

Medina has connected with National Main Street Center about becoming an official “Main Street” program. Albion, Lockport and Lyons currently have adopted the Main Street initiatives. Busch said the National Main Street Center could work with Medina to update design and preservation standards for the downtown.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated from a previous version that implied Medina does not have sign standards.