Palatine Tweaks Sign Ordinance

It might be easier to find some businesses along Northwest Highway after the Village Board voted to tweak Palatine's sign ordinance at its meeting Monday.

The change to the ordinance allows developments of 5 acres or more to have three permanent signs instead of two. The development also must have at least 500 feet of frontage space along a road and signs must be at least 250 feet apart unless otherwise approved by the Village Council.

The changes specifically addressed some issues raised by Charles S. Margosian, the owner of Palatine Plaza Shopping Center. The center's addresses are from 223 E. Northwest Highway to 333 E. N. Northwest Highway.

Palatine Plaza, a commercial development spanning 12.9 acres, had endured the same restrictions the village applied to developments as small as 2 acres.

“The current signage for the Center displays seven tenants, which means that several significant tenants do not have an opportunity to be easily recognized from Route 14,” Margosian wrote in a letter to village officials.

At the meeting Monday, Margosian said the shopping center was setback off the road far enough that it was difficult for some stores to be seen.

“We believe it’s [more] dangerous for people to be looking for Byhring Jewelers driving along [Route] 14 than it would be to have someone looking for signage along Route 14,” Margosian said.

Margosian also pointed out that Palatine Plaza had 1,250 feet of frontage along Northwest Highway, but only could have as many signs as a development with only 100 feet of frontage.

Several Palatine Plaza businesses enclosed letters supporting a change to the ordinance including Citibank, Hearing Care Center, In Style Hair Salon, Premier Credit Union, Palatine Vision Center and Sumo Japanese Steak & Sushi.

Some council members expressed concern over the requirement that the signs had to be at least 250 feet apart. Village Manager Reid Ottesen suggested that a line be added that signs could be placed closer than 250 feet if approved by the council.

The Village Council unanimously approved the changes to the sign ordinance.