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."