THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEEK OF APRIL 20, 2008
Here's Word On Changes In Business Banner Regulations
Glenview trustees this month adopted new rules for businesses to hang promotional banners.
The time banners may be hung was lengthened, the process streamlined and enforcement stepped up.
"(The code) was so restrictive before people felt they couldn't do business," said Village President Kerry Cummings.
After the measure was passed she said new rules would be easier on businesses with out creating a "carnival atmosphere."
The banner code amendment follows a joint Plan and Appearance Commission meeting on the subject earlier this year on Wednesday, Feb. 27.
The new code extends the time a temporary banner can hang from 10 "business days" to 14 consecutive days. The village board discussed how the old code's use of "business days" was confusing, especially around holidays.
Enforcement will also be increased. Village Planner Jeff Brady said inspectors would be driving the streets of Glenview and will call in possible violators of the ordinance. Brady also said that businesses that violate the new rules would be barred from being granted future banner permits.
The new rules will allow four signs to be hung per year in the tenant space or one per quarter with a limit of 20% of tenants allowed to display signs at any one time. Additionally, the shopping center landlord is given one banner per quarter and can transfer one of those to one of its tenants.
There is an exception in the new law for new businesses to use banners while waiting on permanent signs.
Enforcement was a contentious issue earlier this year when Cummings and Art Post Gallery owner Scott Bates squared off about banners. Bates claimed he had been unfairly ticketed by the village for banners he hung in past years for an annual event he held at his gallery. Cummings said that at the time enforcement was largely complaint based.