A sign of the times?

Look around the village. Aside from an over abundance of plastic buffalos (face it guys, cows work better) and banks, the village prides itself on its appearance.

Impeccably zoned, each business seems to have its proper place in the village. Aside from DUI arrests, many pundits claim that Big Animal Grove prides itself on keeping sign scoundrels out of town. The Zoning Board of Appearance is probably one of the busiest entities in the Chicago area, second only to the Cubs bullpen. Based on last year, the ZBA performed better.

Things could change however. The fine folks who occupy the dais twice a month are considering … mind you considering… modifying the Holy Grail.
Hell maybe freezing over or even more amazing, the Cubs’ bullpen may become effective.

At its last meeting, the Village Board discussed revisiting and possibly revising the village’s sign regulations. This was not the first indication that the founding mamas and papas took a walk on a winter day.

They’ve hinted at easing the restrictions by approving the giant screen that not only faucets, but soccer moms in the shower. Not only does it sell products, but it eases speeding on Lake-Cook Road.

The Board has also considered a more upbeat sign for Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion but incessantly debated its size, brightness, and even length of time messages can be shown.
This is, after all, where the buffalo roamed.

Trustee Mike Terson thinks the village needs to be more current with its signage to avoid everything looking the same and dated. I’m not sure just how progressive the village wants to be, but my concern is that if things become too lax, we’ll take on a character that is reflected in various parts of Cook County.

The trend in signs seems to be “electronic messaging” formats which incessantly flash a variety of images or message. The Board recently discussed electronic messaging signs so they could be used by restaurants, stores etc. to promote specials.

A point of clarification here – these aren’t the Banner Plumbing size signs that would have the capabilities to display soccer moms eating skirt steak sandwiches or sushi. These would be simple single-line signs announcing daily specials, a sale on pedicures etc. Simple.

A source of contention is how long can a line or image be displayed. Is 10 second too long, how about five or six. My guess is there is no single solution. An image of a soccer mom in a shower may need to adorn a sign longer than a single-line about fresh pastrami sandwiches.

If the village plans to refine its already stringent sign code – which has been instrumental in keeping Buffalo Grove from looking like unsavory parts of Milwaukee Avenue – then a one-size fits all will not work. Ah, the joy of variances.

The Zoning Board of Appeals revises requests for new signs and makes its recommendations to the Village Board, which then discusses the recommendation as needed.

Sometimes the ZBA seems to be too kind. The Shell station at Rt. 83 and Arlington Heights Road installed a new sign to accommodate McDonald’s, Shell and Circle K (which is now vying with Microsoft for most logos per square inch). In addition to having more red than found in the Kremlin, the sign sits on steel posts that rival support beams for the tollway. I know, but at least the landscaping is nice.

Ah, the joys of variances.

Conversely, there are two news sign that will grace village buildings in the near future, but only after tough Board scrutiny. Prime Source Health Care Systems calls part of River Walk office complex home and has the OK to put up its corporate name on top of one of the two buildings. The Board approved the sign in November and the company has until May to install its signage on the building.

The other is for the aforementioned Twin Rinks ice Pavilion. Its request resulted in considerable debate among the Board regarding size, brightness and ensuing impact on nearby home and, of all things, the need to promote a Deerfield vs. Alton hockey game.

That sign, with modifications, was approved and a permit issued, so it’s just a matter of time before another breakthrough sign arrives on the village landscape.

What seems to be an undauntable task, balancing appearance and new technology, lies ahead for the Board as it gets more requests. The Board may also find itself jousting with a double-edge sword. The village wants to attract more businesses – but does it do so by diluting the guidelines that have made attractive to commercial interests?

Some guidelines need to be addressed. While the Board was concerned, as noted, about the size and brightness of the Twin Ice rinks sign, it did not address potential images.

Can you imagine if Twin Rinks take a cue from Banner and the sign features soccer moms in hockey pads?

A game misconduct for chipped nails looms.

This is the city....

The Buffalo Grove Police Department’s Officers handled 1,027 incidents and crimes and 80 crashes during the month of February 2012. These are their stories -- well -- some of them.

What would Yenta say?
Resident reported that her fifteen year old son is missing from home. Officers located the boy at his girlfriend’s house in Wheeling. He was transported home and turned over to mom.

Trashed out…
Someone dropped off a note at the police station stating that a resident does not remove his trash cans from the driveway and there has been a pile of mulch in the drive for an extended period of time. Officer spoke with the resident who removed the cans and stated he would remove the mulch in the spring.

How about the Library?
Resident reported two youths loitering in the lobby of the building. Officer spoke to the youths who stated that they were just killing time before school began.

On the next episode of “The Office”
Complainant reported an unknown subject in the office, after business hours. The complainant showed the officer a female subject sitting at a computer, entering data. Officer spoke with the woman who stated that she knows the complainant and he had given her permission to use the office and computer. The complainant stated that he does not want the woman on his premises any longer and she was so advised.

You're kidding, right?
Resident stated that while upstairs in her home she heard footsteps on the ground floor hardwood floor near the kitchen. Officers checked the residence and found no one inside. A kitchen cabinet was found partially open.


Check the kitchen cabinet..
Resident reported hearing a noise in the area of her front door and was in fear someone was coming into her apartment. The resident then realized the noise may have come from the door across the hall. Officers checked the area and did not locate anyone.

You're kidding -- Part II
Resident reported footprints in the snow around his house. Officer checked and found nothing suspicious.

School daze?
Father reported that his son was refusing to go to school. After some discussion, the father drove his son to school