Steve Balich Editors Note: Is the Village of Homer Glen too restrictive with signs or should there be more restrictions? Do sign restrictions help or hinder business in Homer Glen. Is forcing existing business’s to replace existing signs good for business and good for Homer Glen? Watch the video and make your own decision.
#twill #tcot #sbalich #HomerGlen #signs #ordinances #regulation
Benjamin Conboy, Assistant Editor4:26 pm CST January 10, 2020
The Homer Glen Village Board continued debating the best way to amend its sign regulations at its Jan. 8 regular meeting.
The board’s aim in amending the sign regulations is multifaceted. The key objectives are to clarify confusing language in the existing ordinance, expand the allowable sign types, create architectural consistency with the signs, amortize non-conforming signs, allow for better sign visibility and address sign lighting.
The board discussed the use of electronic messaging signs in the village. Officials ultimately agreed that electronic signs could only be used by public schools, libraries and government buildings but would not be able to be used by businesses.
Trustee Ruben Pazmino expressed his concern that the new regulations will be harmful to businesses and that “the board should be doing everything we can to help businesses.”
Pazmino added he felt “things are being taken away” from businesses. Trustees Beth Rodgers and Brian Burian disagreed.
Rodgers and Burian said the amended regulations are much looser than those in the current ordinance. The amended ordinance would also allow for more types of signs for businesses.
“Nothing is being taken away,” Rodgers said. “Everything is being done to help [businesses].”
Rodgers also said one of the goals of amending the sign regulations is to preserve the character of the village and protect its charm.
The board likewise discussed how to bring non-conforming signs into compliance with the new regulations. They reduced a proposed 10-year amortization period to six years, citing the 10-year proposal as being needlessly long.
In addition, Trustee Keith Gray expressed concern about a clause regulating flagpoles that restricted the types of flags can be flown. Gray called it a “possible infringement of the First Amendment.” The language would have banned residents and businesses from flying “organizational” flags, such as sports teams, as well as flags of other countries. Gray had the language removed.
The board plans on voting on the sign ordinance at its next meeting on Jan. 22 once changes requested by the trustees have been inserted into the final ordinance.
