Recordpub.com - Ravenna signs stir problems Walgreens, CVS go digital

By Colin McEwen
Record-Courier staff writer
One sign can cause a lot of problems.
The sign scheduled to be erected at the end of the parking lot at the incoming Walgreens Drug Store on East Main Street in Ravenna has some residents pushing away from a sign of the times "in the historic district.
The problem, residents say, is the digital sign breaks zoning code. They worry that if one business is allowed to bend the rules, other businesses will follow suit.
The Historic Design Review Committee allowed the sign at Walgreens in a 7-0 vote. When approached by CVS to have a similar sign, the committee passed the measure for that company's sign 4-3.
Lou Dudek is one of the residents upset with the new incoming signs in the historic neighborhood.
"I guess the people in the committee think the sign is OK," he said. "I don't think this is OK."
Dudek took his complaint to the city and found that CVS also was approved after they requested they be allowed to have a similar sign.
"There's just too much inconsistency," he said. "I don't understand " my personal feeling " it's an inappropriate sign to have in the this district."
The city's codified ordinance regarding city signage states that signs in the historic district "must be visually compatible."
The code also states the purpose of the design review commission is to "preserve the dignity and architectural significance of the Design Review District, preserve its scenic and natural beauty, and provide a more enjoyable and pleasing community for its residents."
Mayor Kevin Poland said the sign will stand on a brick structure consistent with the architecture of the building and does not believe it breaks the code.
"My understanding to the objection to the sign is the digital aspect, which is not historical," he said. "The commitment that was given is that it would be a continuous scroll, changing every few minutes."
Dudek said he is not convinced the sign meets any of the requirements. He said he was a member of the Historic Design Review Committee nine years ago, and he would not have allowed the Walgreens sign.
"I'm a citizen and I expect the city to uphold its rules and regulations like everybody else does," he said. "How are they going to say no to everyone who is now going to want one? It's not fair to the other merchants who follow the guidelines."

24.	Posted by hill5 May 30, 2008
	What in the hell is your peoples deal with me going to Boheckers. I said Ravenna looks like trash. In other words it need cleaned up for god sakes!!!!!!!!!!!!! You too OhioGal need to get off your damn high horse. You of all people should know that we post our opinions on here, you post more than enough of them. Get off of it people. I said the town looks like trash!!!!!! People are talking about it being a historical place.......IT LOOKS LIKE TRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is the problem with that. You are reading way to much into it, and obviously need something to do!!!!!!!!!!!

23.	Posted by hill5 May 30, 2008
	What in the hell is your peoples deal with me going to Boheckers. I said Ravenna looks like trash. In other words it need cleaned up for god sakes!!!!!!!!!!!!! You too OhioGal need to get off your damn high horse. You of all people should know that we post our opinions on here, you post more than enough of them. Get off of it people. I said the town looks like trash!!!!!! People are talking about it being a historical place.......IT LOOKS LIKE TRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is the problem with that. You are reading way to much into it, and obviously need something to do!!!!!!!!!!!

19.	Posted by G25O May 29, 2008
	Oh Hill! I didn't realize someone as high and mighty as a Boheckers graduate would even waste their important breath speaking of the horrible town of Ravenna. We are all honored you could come down off your throne to comment on the small town of Ravenna. I mean Boheckers? Its obvious only the elite, smartest and brightest go there... Please accept our apologies for the town not being up to your high "Bohecker" standards and for distrupting your busy day of Medical Coding or Dental Assistant....

16.	Posted by MILITARYDAD May 28, 2008
	I agree with the fact that we need to change with the times. But I also feel that zoning should apply to all of us the same. To those that hate this little town and call it back wards. Maybe it is time you move to see how the big world really is. Being prior military I am thankful to move back to Ravenna and raise my family. I can tell you that it is the safest place I have ever lived. I like the small town feeling and charm. Yes, I agree that some of the store fronts need to be cleaned up, but I also feel as a community we need to take pride in where we live. Do you throw trash in your yard or cigarette butts? This is just tacky to see. We are a community and it is are job to take care of it. So lets come together instead of tearing each other apart!!

15.	Posted by Moving On May 28, 2008
	"Historical Ravenna" what a joke! How many people really sit back in their living rooms on a Sunday and say "Hey honey and kids, let's go visit historical Ravenna! Let's go look at the empty storefronts and admire the bricks on the buildings that were put there in the 1800's" Give me a break! There's nothing that this town has to offer. There isn't even so much as a decent place to go out to eat and every time someone puts an offer out there to help build up or modernize Ravenna, you have some clown sitting back complaining about a sign.