Landerhaven Gets Approval for New Sign

Everyone knows and Corporate Club has established its identity, now the building they're in needs to be branded as well, according to owner Harlan Diamond.

Diamond was at Monday's City Meeting seeking a sign that would spell out "Landerhaven" in 2-foot letters on the canopy over the front entrance.

"Forget Executive Caterers, we're not going anywhere. But the building must be branded," he said.

Since guests come from a six- or seven-county area, Landerhaven's not easy for them to find, Diamond said. That's why he sought highway signs.

"When the speaker of the house couldn't find it, he understood what I said to the state highway commission," Diamond said.

The Board of Zoning Appeals had granted a variance to allow for the sign, but not for the height of the letters or for illumination. Major Harrison of Brilliant Electric Sign Co. said the 15-inch letters allowed for in city codes would not be not visible from the road, which is 270 feet away.

Council agreed, reversing the BZA decision and allowing the variance for a larger sign. Council President Anthony DiCicco said the smaller letters would look inappropriate given the size of the building and its distance from the street.

"The sign would actually detract from the look of the front of the building," he said.

However, council voted to confirm the BZA action of denying illumination. Although most wanted to allow the sign to be back-lit, the 4-2 vote wasn't sufficient to overturn the BZA decision – five votes are needed.

Councilwoman Donna Finney said she had no problem with lighting the sign and thought it might help guests locate the facility. "I think it's really needed," she said.