Signs: Why Are They Important?
Signs: Why Are They Important?
Village Planner answers questions about the need for signage regulations
“Sign, sign everywhere a sign,” as quoted by Canadian songsters Five Man Electrical Band. Experts say Americans are exposed to 4,000-10,000 advertisements a day, each one competing for your undivided attention hoping they stick in your mind. Every town, village and city you drive through is peppered with signage promoting shops, restaurants, services and more.
Signs have been an important function since the Paleolithic Era, but modern signs that we think of gained traction around 3000 BC in Greek, Roman and Egyptian cities. Considering many at the time were illiterate, the signs typically were carved into terracotta and consisted of images not text. It was during the Dark Ages that signs started to become more ornate. This drove competition between merchants to see who could create the most elaborate signage. True to human nature, this created problems from public safety standpoint.
The first sign regulations were put in place to protect the public from large signs hanging too far into the narrow streets in the early 1700’s. From here, as signage evolved with gas-lit signs, then the electric bulb and finally the neon tube, rules and regulations needed to be addressed. There are also a host of rules that each municipality may set for signage. To get the inside scoop on Ellicottville’s signs, I caught up with Town/Village Planner Gary Palumbo.
CROFT: Signs … why are they such an important function in our village?
PALUMBO: Signs provide an important advertising benefit to local business, and signs contribute to aesthetics and character of the community, especially in the central business district.
CROFT: “Why the need for so many rules” … is something I hear often. Can you explain the benefit?
PALUMBO: That’s a good question and I’m sure the answer very subjective to someone’s position. In general, land use regulations (including signs) come from the “police powers” granted by the State. These are there to protect the overall public interest. Signs are intended to be seen to draw attention to a place or activity. So for that reason they need to be visible from public sidewalks and streets. Which is why some rules are necessary, because once in the public realm, signs potentially can impact other people’s safety or enjoyment of their property, or when taken together, signage can effect the broader community.
CROFT: How do we regulate signs?
PALUMBO: In Ellicottville, we regulate signs through each the Town and Village zoning local laws. There are signs that don’t need a permit, and signs that either the Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer can issue, and some signs need to be reviewed by the Planning Board. It is important to note that even though a sign may not need a permit, there are some standards that apply to all signs. Which is why it’s always good to check first with the Code Enforcement Officer before putting up a sign. Given freedom of speech concerns, signs typically are only regulated for such things as their location, size, aesthetics and safety concerns, but not for their content.
CROFT: Sandwich board signs … why are they such a hot topic?
PALUMBO: The type of sign that I think frequently needs some attention are sandwich boards, especially sandwich boards that are placed on public property (sidewalks, along the curb or roadside). Sandwich boards are an example of a sign that although doesn’t require a permit, the Village Zoning provides the applicable rules: Only one sign for each building or lot. Sandwich boards are no larger than 6 square feet or 48” in any direction. Sandwich boards cannot obstruct the sidewalk, street or any public space. The zoning states sandwich boards are supposed to be placed no more than 1 foot from the face of the building. Sandwich boards need to be set so they do not blow over and should not be lit. Also, remember the sidewalks need to be plowed all winter long, which is one reason why sandwich boards must be removed from the sidewalk when the business is closed. Not to get too far off topic, but we have to remember we are talking about the use of sandwich boards on the public right-of-way, and that public space should not be occupied or blocked by anything (displays, goods for sale furniture, etc.). Anything that is not Village-owned should be removed overnight. I note the Village does have a Café Permit that business owners can obtain from the Code Enforcement Officer which allows use of the public sidewalk as long as it does not interfere with ingress or egress and maintains minimum of three feet of sidewalk clearance at all times.
Final thoughts: The rules around signage will always be a necessary function for planners and municipalities to evaluate, regulate and enforce. Signage has the ability to transcend cultural boundaries; it spurs communication within a community while setting the aesthetic presented to the world. As we humans continue to evolve, I am sure signage will be right behind us.