By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
As design guidelines continue to be crafted for downtown businesses in Waterford’s Heritage District, a controversy about window signs also continues to advance.
The Village Board recently reviewed a first reading of an ordinance that outlined what is permissible for window signs in the Heritage District.
The ordinance, if enacted, will augment other restrictions within the district, including color schematics for building exterior.
Usage of neon signs is one issue within the ordinance that has drawn a mixed response from board members. As currently drafted, the ordinance prohibits downtown business owners from placing such signs in their windows.
Proponents of that stipulation – including some members of an ad-hoc design and review committee and the village Plan Commission, say the ordinance provision will preserve the historic character of the downtown district.
But several members of the Village Board spoke out against the proposal.
“I don’t know how we can force people to do things inside their business,” Trustee Thomas Christensen said. “It’s just not right.”
Trustee Judy Spencer echoed a similar sentiment.
“We’re monkeying around, talking about a stupid neon sign, and I’m not going to go for it,” she said. “People want the downtown to improve, but you’re crossing the line when you go into my business.”
As the discussion continued, exchanges were heated and emotional at times.
Village President Thomas Roanhouse expressed frustration over the lack of progress on design guidelines for the Heritage District.
“I’m so sick of talking about signs,” Roanhouse said. “For the good of the community, we have to move forward. We can’t keep debating about signs until the cows come home.”
The proposed window sign guidelines were drafted after reviewing similar ordinances in other municipalities with historic downtown districts.
The village board is scheduled to act on the proposed window sign ordinance Monday, Sept. 24. A public hearing also will be scheduled on that date in advance of board deliberation and action.
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