Update: A-Frames are Okayed by Trustees

Sandwich boards, such as the sidewalk signs advertising daily specials on South Orange Ave., may become more common in the Village. An Ordinance passed at First Reading at the July 26 Board of Trustees meeting, and on Second Reading on August 16. What remains is a period of advertising, but the Ordinance is likely to go into effect in early September.

The Village already permits the use of sandwich boards, but they "Are limited to restaurants with sit-down dining, to be used for daily specials and menus." (Chapter 92-162B9(f)) In 2009, Ben Salmon, owner of Kitchen a la Mode, asked the Village to consider expanding their use to all retailers.

"There are a lot of things the Village could do to help buoy the downtown in this economy, but most of those ideas would cost money and, as a South Orange home owner, I don't want to pay taxes," explains Salmon. "Expanding sandwich board usage to retailers is a way to help us sell our product and attract customers, a way to boost the downtown at no cost to the Village."

The matter was discussed several times at Planning & Zoning Committee meetings, according to trustee Michael Goldberg.  Main Street South Orange surveyed merchants to gauge interest in sandwich board. Local merchants, the survey found, were in favor of the change.

An ordinance to modify the existing ordinance was drafted by Village Counsel and sent to the Planning Board for review, explains Goldberg. On July 8, the Planning Board reviewed and approved the Ordinance.  On July 12, the Board of Trustees discussed the Ordinance during the Conference Agenda. The Ordinance will come forward for a vote on First Reading on July 26.  The Ordinance must be also read on Second Reading, either in August or the first meeting in September. Should the Ordinance pass, it will be advertised and then go into effect this fall.

At the July 12 meeting, Trustees discussed the dimensions of permitted signs. At most, a sign can measure 40 inches in height. Village President Newman noted that a 40-inch sign does not stand 40 inches from the ground, as its triangular shape means that its legs are splayed to support itself.

Goldberg looks forward to the new policy. "Personally, I think this Ordinance is a welcome addition for our merchants to help their business and with the specific guidelines present in the language of the Ordinance should help ensure that these signs are an attractive benefit to our town."

Salmon, too, is enthusiastic about the prospect of using a sandwich board to advertise his wares. Not only does he see the sign benefitting businesses, but, "If done tastefully, I believe they'll make our town look a little more inviting, charming and cute."