Council approves 30-day temporary sign for Hall Road pizzeria after owner describes business struggles

The Utica City Council on July 8 approved a temporary sign deviation allowing a 3-by-8-foot banner at 8413 Hall Road for a 30-day period.

The petitioner, who identified himself as Nick Nicholas of the pizzeria at 8413 Hall Road, asked to place a larger temporary sign to promote a monthlong free-slice promotion and other specials. City staff told the council the Temporary Sign Ordinance limits signs to 12 square feet and 5 feet in height in the commercial district, and that the requested banner would exceed the 12-square-foot limit.

Nicholas described a decline in business since he opened in the U.S. three years ago and said he has faced staffing shortages and monthly shortfalls. “I pay every week, every month. I pay from my pocket $6,900 to $7,100 every single month,” he told the council, saying he hoped the sign would help attract customers.

Council members discussed safety and sight-line concerns and said the city enforces the sign ordinance for visual consistency and public safety. Council approved a motion by Mayor Calandrino, supported by Councilmember Torenzi, to permit the 3-by-8 banner to be placed north of the existing pylon sign and east of the driveway for 30 days. The clerk confirmed the petitioner had already filed the permit application and would complete final coordination by phone or email.

The council did not change the underlying ordinance; the approval was a limited, site-specific deviation for the period requested. City staff said the sign location would be set back from the property line and would not obstruct sight lines for traffic leaving the business parking lot.