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."

14.	Posted by raes98 May 28, 2008
	I recently moved back to Ravenna after many years away (what was I thinking?). All the Ravenna boards and committees need to learn one word - ZONING. Ravenna's downtown is disgusting! Used appliances, carpet remnants and second-hand clothing are not pleasing to the normal shopper. But someone can turn a "century home" into an insurance agency or a hair salon and I may have to live next door! Businesses need to be in a "Business District". Walgreen's and CVS will work within zoning restrictions - if Ravenna had them. The digital sign is not necessary. The issue is government officials that do the right thing for this city.

13.	Posted by CVansil56 May 28, 2008
	I think they are a distraction for some drivers. The one gentleman commented that he got use to it, well, sorry, I can't.I also think it takes away from the look of the entire downtown if we would continue having a mis-mash of various signs. Other cities have ordinances of how signs should look. Start taking pride in how the city looks, and not just another place to park your trailer! I come through about once a month, and NOTICE improvements, get rid of the sign CVS!

11.	Posted by tellnitlikeitis May 28, 2008
	This is so ridiculous. Ravenna has become such a dump. Im ashamed to tell people I'm from Ravenna. The whole down town area is trash. Empty store fronts, falling down light post, signs falling of buildings, ripped awnings, and you people have the nerve to complain about a digital sign going up. "Historic District" HAH, it should be demolished as Sunuco was. We should be thankful that a new business would even want to be located in Ravenna. When I was in school I thought Windham was the joke of Portage County, well I'm sorry to say that Ravenna has far surpassed that reputation. Get a life and stop worrying about a digital sign. Is it a fear that something nice and new such as their sign will disgrace the rest of the dilapitated looking signs in Ravenna?

10.	Posted by hill5 May 27, 2008
	WOW!!!! Sorry to say, but Ravenna is a dump!! I hate having to go there. I honestly didn't know there was anything "historic" about it anymore. Growing up all I knew of Ravenna was it was the Welfare Captiol!!!! Mind you I was in Jr High, High School then, but nevertheless I thought it was full of trash. And it still is!!!!! I went to Boheckers and I absolutely hated going to Ravenna. But with a full Scholorship, Grants, and schooling fully paid for I couldn't say no!! I've never really seen anything historic about it!! It needs a change!! Update with the times, because its not a very nice looking place now!!!

9.	Posted by CmdrKJon May 27, 2008
	Life is about change. It is time to move forward. Do we really need another vacant storefront in the "Historic District?" There was quite a bit of noise when Mr. Kane removed the digital clock, and now there is squawking about a digital sign a block away. Perhaps that is why we keep re-electing idiots, this little corner of the world is so scared of change they cannot even vote different. Wake up and get a clue Ravenna. This is not a large tourist destination to see our vacant Historic District. If anyone is willing to put any sort of business in this town, they should be welcomed with open arms.

7.	Posted by laserfaire May 27, 2008
	I never imagined that the contrarians here would be so quick to come to the defense of an ugly blinking sign. You could post that ax-murderers should be jailed and somebody would complain that this would cause unemployment among the police, EMTs, and ax sharpening community. Does anyone seriously think that the lack of a flashing sign is going to cause the chain stores to close and the retail jobs to flee to more irritation-friendly towns? Folks seem to think that because an annoyance doesn't bother them personally, that no one else has a right to be offended. Roll over and play dead if you want to, but some of us are willing to fight against visual pollution.