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Sherman Village Board discusses sign ordinance
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board at a quick 42-minute meeting Tuesday spent time discussing altering the
ordinance of signs and outdoor advertising sign structures, as well as the board’s relationship with Glacial
Energy among other issues.
The first item of business was a visit from Jenna Hansen, a Williamsville High School senior who leads
an organization called IMPACT 15 (I’m a Positive Active Challenge-Seeking Teen), a group that is looking to
do more than just put in service hours as part of a graduation requirement.
She offered the organization’s services for any projects in the village, like painting or other duties.
The group is on Facebook but does not yet have a Web site; it has done a food drive already.
The board indicated their interest in having the group, which numbers about 30 so far, assisting with
various projects.
Village Engineer Dave Booher then started discussing his proposed changes to the ordinance noted
above.
There are some minor wording changes, and also an additional sentence that reads: “Illuminated signs
which indicate the time, temperature, weather, or other changing message shall not be considered flashing
or moving signs provided each individual message remains visible for at least two and one-half (2.5) second
interval before being reset or replaced with another message.”
Booher’s reasoning was simple: “The current language (in the ordinance) appears to prohibit changeable
message signs which are becoming more common,” like the one at Illini Bank.
The proposed language will clarify that these signs are acceptable, “providing they do not use distracting
animation.”
Village Attorney Mark Cullen warned against oversignage (not even electronic signage, like on parts of
MacArthur Boulevard), the number of these kinds of signs (a maximum number of signs, like the number of
liquor licenses the village grants) and he also mentioned having height restrictions.
Booher also proposed changing the comprehensive sign regulations to better account for village costs,
raising permit fees on square footage costs.
From the proposed change: “The permit fee for any permitted sign with the exception of Outdoor
Advertising Sign Structures shall be at the rate of two dollars ($2.00) per square foot of sign surface but not
less than one hundred dollars ($100.00).”
The current rate is only 10 cents per square foot of sign and not less than $5.
Outdoor Advertising Sign Structures are billboards, which the village does not have any of currently. The
current code is confusing, and Booher tried to clarify by adding the new language.
Both ordinances are likely to be voted on at the next meeting.
Both items on Mayor Trevor Clatfelter’s report were tabled since they are not ready to move forward: an
agreement with IDOT and the village with Village Center Drive and Business 55 and the collective bargaining
agreement between the village and the General Teamsters/Professional & Technical Employees Local Union
No. 916.
Trustee Krista Sherrock discussed the Route 66 Park and grant money that still needs to be spent, and
she said there will be a Census meeting Jan. 11 at the village hall.
She also discussed the village’s agreement with Glacial Energy; before the meeting, the Green Energy
Committee met and had two members from Glacial Energy in attendance.
So far, the village appears to be saving money with Glacial Energy, and the board “wanted to be proactive”
in its dealings with Glacial, even moreso in light of Williamsville’s recent decision to end its relationship with
Glacial Energy.
The board has been encouraging local businesses to sign up with Glacial, and it continues to do so.
The village is still paying Ameren for excise taxes and delivery charges, and that will not change.
The last main topic of discussion was under public works, not only in preparation for the expected snowfall
but also about vandalism to village Christmas lights in the Meredith Drive area.
There had been some minor damage in a previous incident, but the latest incident, which includes a full
police report, saw numerous strands of light cut.
It is not related to the water main break in that area last week, according to Director Sean Newton.
Clatfelter said the village will pursue suspects and act accordingly.
Christmas tree pickup also has started and is expected to last through January.
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board at a quick 42-minute meeting Tuesday spent time discussing altering the
ordinance of signs and outdoor advertising sign structures, as well as the board’s relationship with Glacial
Energy among other issues.
The first item of business was a visit from Jenna Hansen, a Williamsville High School senior who leads
an organization called IMPACT 15 (I’m a Positive Active Challenge-Seeking Teen), a group that is looking to
do more than just put in service hours as part of a graduation requirement.
She offered the organization’s services for any projects in the village, like painting or other duties.
The group is on Facebook but does not yet have a Web site; it has done a food drive already.
The board indicated their interest in having the group, which numbers about 30 so far, assisting with
various projects.
Village Engineer Dave Booher then started discussing his proposed changes to the ordinance noted
above.
There are some minor wording changes, and also an additional sentence that reads: “Illuminated signs
which indicate the time, temperature, weather, or other changing message shall not be considered flashing
or moving signs provided each individual message remains visible for at least two and one-half (2.5) second
interval before being reset or replaced with another message.”
Booher’s reasoning was simple: “The current language (in the ordinance) appears to prohibit changeable
message signs which are becoming more common,” like the one at Illini Bank.
The proposed language will clarify that these signs are acceptable, “providing they do not use distracting
animation.”
Village Attorney Mark Cullen warned against oversignage (not even electronic signage, like on parts of
MacArthur Boulevard), the number of these kinds of signs (a maximum number of signs, like the number of
liquor licenses the village grants) and he also mentioned having height restrictions.
Booher also proposed changing the comprehensive sign regulations to better account for village costs,
raising permit fees on square footage costs.
From the proposed change: “The permit fee for any permitted sign with the exception of Outdoor
Advertising Sign Structures shall be at the rate of two dollars ($2.00) per square foot of sign surface but not
less than one hundred dollars ($100.00).”
The current rate is only 10 cents per square foot of sign and not less than $5.
Outdoor Advertising Sign Structures are billboards, which the village does not have any of currently. The
current code is confusing, and Booher tried to clarify by adding the new language.
Both ordinances are likely to be voted on at the next meeting.
Both items on Mayor Trevor Clatfelter’s report were tabled since they are not ready to move forward: an
agreement with IDOT and the village with Village Center Drive and Business 55 and the collective bargaining
agreement between the village and the General Teamsters/Professional & Technical Employees Local Union
No. 916.
Trustee Krista Sherrock discussed the Route 66 Park and grant money that still needs to be spent, and
she said there will be a Census meeting Jan. 11 at the village hall.
She also discussed the village’s agreement with Glacial Energy; before the meeting, the Green Energy
Committee met and had two members from Glacial Energy in attendance.
So far, the village appears to be saving money with Glacial Energy, and the board “wanted to be proactive”
in its dealings with Glacial, even moreso in light of Williamsville’s recent decision to end its relationship with
Glacial Energy.
The board has been encouraging local businesses to sign up with Glacial, and it continues to do so.
The village is still paying Ameren for excise taxes and delivery charges, and that will not change.
The last main topic of discussion was under public works, not only in preparation for the expected snowfall
but also about vandalism to village Christmas lights in the Meredith Drive area.
There had been some minor damage in a previous incident, but the latest incident, which includes a full
police report, saw numerous strands of light cut.
It is not related to the water main break in that area last week, according to Director Sean Newton.
Clatfelter said the village will pursue suspects and act accordingly.
Christmas tree pickup also has started and is expected to last through January.
Issue Date: Jan. 7, 2010