Sandwich Signs Sparks Concerns in North Adams
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Many of the sandwich signs appear to be unapproved, said Chairman Michael Leary, who requested authorization to craft a letter at last Monday's Planning Board meeting to be sent to errant businesses.
"[The letter will be sent] to business owners in the city who do have sandwich board-style signs that were not approved as part of their signage package or not approved afterward ... asking them to come before the board to have them approved as they should have been."
Leary said he would draft the letter and bring it back to the board at the July meeting for review.
Public safety is one of the concerns over the use of the signs, some of which are in public ways. City Administrative Officer Jay Green said other downtowns, such as Northampton and Rockport, have had to deal with the issue as well. The signs aren't a bad thing, he said.
"It's a positive sign, it's a sign that businesses are thriving, businesses are developing," he said. "This is part and parcel of zoning ordinances."
Some of the things to consider are colors, messages and placement, if they would be distracting to drivers or obstacles to pedestrians, said Green. In some cities, the signs are treated like canopies, in that the owners would have to have liability insurance to put them in the public way.
City Councilor Marie Harpin asked that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the council, which has referred the use of sandwich signs to its Public Safety Committee over similar concerns.
The discussion was prompted in part by the request of Timothy Lanfair to use a sandwich board outside his Los Amigos burrito shop on Ashland Street. Leary said other businesses using the signs should have them approved in their signage package as Lanfair did.
Lanfair was for an extension of his hours to 10 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays and delivery service. The board last month had approved a closing of 8 p.m. during the week, with the proviso he could return and ask for longer hours.
"Over the last month and particularly over the last week, his business is booming," said Leary, in discussing the request.
Lanfair will work with the Office of Community Development on lighting and signage changes for the next board meeting.
In other business;
■ Cup & Saucer was approved for a blue awning to replace its green one.
■ Taylor's Fine Dining was approved for 11 p.m. closings and will work with the OCD on a signage package.
■ Mohawk Auto Sales request for a permit to operate an auto repair business at its Curran Highway location was continued to the next meeting. The board noted a great deal had been done in landscaping and other work after a site visit but wanted a more detailed plan on the recommendation of the city for parking. The matter has been continued for several meetings.
■ A request by Margaret Paulin to operate a laundromat at 195 Ashland St. was also continued to the next meeting. Building owner Bruce Tower said he was working to complete a number of matters raised by the city, including landscaping, the poor condition of the parking lot, painting the building and removing vehicles. The board also requested the business owner work with the OCD on signage.
Building Inspector William Meranti asked the board to consider moving toward enforcement if the conditions at the laundromat were not fulfilled by the next meeting. The matter has been before the board several times.
