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LISBON -- For now, the sign at The Lincoln Social Hall stays, with any action the village could take over use of the wrong font tabled at this time, pending changes to the village zoning code and rules.
"We have a compromise; it's not perfect, no compromises are," Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson said Tuesday night, adding "we need to update our rules."
The Lincoln Social Hall owner Shannon Clark, who attended the council session, pleaded her case regarding the window decal sign during the last council meeting. She said she went through the proper channels regarding the sign, filling out an application, but the village Architectural and Historic Board of Review denied her application for using a font not approved according to the rules the board must follow for the downtown historic area.
When she tried to appeal, a Board of Building Appeals had not been appointed. Village council approved the sign, pending appointment of the BBA. Once the BBA was appointed, the board reviewed the case and affirmed the AHBR decision. That prompted Clark to approach council and lay out some heavy criticism of what she considered a double standard because other businesses were doing whatever they wanted.
She repeated those feelings Tuesday night, saying she felt like she was being picked on. She said she just spent $200,000 on the building and she did what she was supposed to do by applying. Other businesses just do what they want and don't apply. That was her issue.
Councilwoman Linda Donnalley moved for tabling any action against 126 W. Lincoln Way, the location of The Lincoln Social Hall, noting the village is working on upgrading the rules and there are a lot of changes to be made. With that in mind, she forwarded the motion, which was approved unanimously by all six council members after much discussion.
After the meeting, village Solicitor Alec Beech explained that council simply deferred any action at this point regarding that property. At the previous meeting, he had said council had no power to overturn the decision of the BBA. In this case, nothing was overturned.
While many people spoke out at the last meeting against the rules that affected the sign, this meeting heard supporters of the rules speak out, including John Deichler, chairman of the AHBR.
Deichler said the board has to follow the ordinance as it's written. They're not trying to run anybody out of business, they're not taking money under the table or granting favors. In this case, the BBA met and supported the AHBR decision.
He spoke out against the social media comments being made regarding the situation and attacks on the board members, noting that anybody can put anything on there, including lies. He said nobody on the board gets paid, they're all volunteers.
According to the rules, which were put in place in 1988, there are four fonts to choose from for signage and the letters can be 12 inches high, no more. That's what they have to follow.
Regarding The Lincoln Social Hall, Deichler said "the signage does not follow what the ordinance says."
Councilwoman Dawn Thomas, who serves as council president, told Deichler "we know you're going by the rules you have."
She noted that council has been working the past four years on revamping that and they're not trying to overturn the AHBR decision, they're just delaying any action. She said "we know our rules are antiquated. That's on us."
Sunset Drive resident Pat Kronenberg questioned council's move, saying there are rules to follow and her understanding was that council had no power to overrule the boards. She told them they need to stand behind the rules in place. If they need changed, change them.
Wilson said they need to move quickly to get the update done, speaking about the effect this situation has had on the village. He said the village is pro business and they want people to locate here.
"This has given the community a black eye," he said.
mgreier@mojonews.com