Home > Government > Boards and Commissions > Sign Review Board > 2010 > April 21, 2010

Sign Review Board

Black Eyed Susan Conference Room
April 21, 2010
2:00 PM

Re:  Public Hearings 

The Board welcomed William Rocca as a potential new member to the Board.    

SRB2010-00512, 1401 Rockville Pike, America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses

This is a modification request to permit a building sign that would utilize this company’s nationally recognized colors and logo.  The current sign concept for the property is white channel letters. 

Brent Forte, representing the applicant, testified that the current sign on the building conforms to the sign concept plan.  The current sign has been on the building for a number of years and now there is a major issue with the electrical portion of the sign, which makes it very unsafe.  The applicant has turned off the sign and now the sign is no longer being illuminated. 

Mr. Forte presented photos of the new sign and informed the Board that the company is recently going through a nationwide change.  The main issue is that this multi-tenant shopping center is heavily blocked by surrounding vegetation that hinders America’s Best’s ability to identify this store.  Mr. Forte stated that the company’s national recognized logo and colors are blue channel letters highlighted with red and the cabinet sign would have a blue background and white letters.   Those colors are not currently on the sign; there is a need for their customers to recognize the company’s national brand image in the shopping center.  Mr. Forte stated that they are focusing on changing all the signage at each location to look the identical.   

Mr. Forte stated that the landlord of the shopping center has approved the proposed sign, colors and log. 

The Board asked Mr. Forte about other locations of America’s Best stores; how the electricity issue caused the applicant to apply for a new sign; and the size of the proposed sign.

Mr. Worthing moved, seconded by Ms. Goehrung to approve SRB2010-00512, 1401 Rockville Pike, America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses as submitted and with the consideration of the numerous locations in the corporation of these stores, the setback and the foliage problem and the aesthetic appearance of the proposed sign.  The motion passed on a vote of 2-1 with Ms. Hanessian voting nay.  Ms. Hanessian stated that she was uncomfortable with the fact that national chain stores can have whatever colors and design they want, and why does the City have sign standards, if national chain stores do not have to comply.  Mr. Worthing replied that his vote was not based on the fact that this is a national chain with a policy, but there is a certain amount of good will in recognition by the public of the trademark of this company.   

Mr. Rocca stated that he was in agreement with the applicant's request.   

The Board further discussed national chain stores versus smaller businesses complying with the sign ordinance; how it affects the ordinance, trees and foliage, the smaller businesses in shopping centers as well as the public interest.   
 
Re:  Minutes

The March 10, 2010 minutes were unanimously approved as written. 

Re:  New Business

Mr. Worthing announced that Bob Turner has recently submitted his resignation from the Board.  Mr. Worthing stated that Mr. Turner has been on the Board for many years and has served as the Chair for a number of terms.  Mr. Worthing expressed his appreciation for what he has done for the City and for this Board.  Mr. Worthing moved, seconded by Ms. Goehrung to commend Mr. Turner’s performance on this Board.  The motion passed unanimously. 

The Board and staff further discussed who would serve as chair on this Board.  It was decided that Mr. Worthing would serve as the Chair. 

In response to the Board, Mr. Rocca explained that he has applied and is now awaiting approval from the Mayor and Council. 

Re:  Adjournment  

The meeting adjourned at 2:26 pm. 

The next meeting of the Sign Review Board is scheduled for Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 2:00 PM in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room, located on the 3rd floor of City Hall.