The city's Planning Commission decided to hold off on a decision Monday night about whether liquor super-store Surdyk's can install a billboard-sized electronic sign above their entrance.
Planning staff recommended that the Commission deny the permit, on the grounds that the sign was eight times too large and potentially a public safety hazard. The maximum electronic sign size in that area is 32 sq. ft. -- Surdyk's requested 262 sq. ft. (7.5 feet by 35 feet).
At their meeting Monday, sign artist Frank Stone said they were scaling back their proposal to just 175 sq. ft. He said the sign should be large enough to be seen from the street and tall enough to display a bottle of wine.
"I promise it will be a gorgeous piece of art," Stone said. Several neighbors then rose to testify in support of the sign and commend Surdyk's for its contributions to the surrounding community.
Commissioners expressed concern about the precedent that would be set if they approved such a massive sign for that neighborhood.
The Commission decided to postpone a decision until Surdyk's presents more information about what the 175 sq. ft. sign would look like and whether other sign configuations would be sufficient.
