New Lenox may make changes to sign ordinance
By Erin Gallagher For Sun-Times Media September 2, 2012 11:04PM
Updated: October 5, 2012 6:09AM
Bigger, better and brighter signs may be on their way to New Lenox, as the village board is considering changing its signage rules.
When Provena St. Joseph requested a new 10-foot-3 by 6-foot-6 illuminated sign with an electronic message center for its facility on U.S. 30 near Cooper Road, village staff recommended the board deny the variance. The current ordinance does not allow for such large, flashing signs.
Chief operation officer Amy Stevens said the Provena Healing Arts Pavilion needs a more sophisticated sign to advertise all the offerings at the pavilion. The facility houses a women’s center, a spa, physicians’ offices, immediate care and diagnostic imaging.
Stevens said the signage along U.S. 30 does not reflect a modern, progressive corridor.
Most of the board agreed.
Trustee David Smith said he didn’t think that kind of a sign would fit the community. But other trustees said that since it is not in a residential area, they support it.
The board went even further, deciding to discuss changing the ordinance altogether as opposed to just granting a variance.
“I still stand behind that we should not have these signs in residential areas,” Trustee Nancy Dye said.
Stevens said the sign will have half the maximum lumens. Provena also is willing to work with the village to set appropriate time frames for when the sign is flashing, and any other parameters, she said.
The board will address the ordinance in the next work session. Provena will put up a temporary sign in the interim.
