Board approves amended sign variance for Warner & Truce Monument at 107 Water Street

The East Dundee Board of Trustees voted July 15 to approve findings of fact and an amended ordinance granting variances from section 156.04(c)(1) for the number and maximum square footage of wall signs at 107 Water Street, a property occupied by Warner & Truce Monument.

Jason Solars, who said he manages Warner & Truce Monument Company, told the board the back‑of‑building sign was damaged while the company repainted the building and that the intent was to replace the existing signage. "The company that's making the sign put this together," he said and indicated the proposed riverside sign face was the one that needed replacement.

Staff and trustees discussed technical thresholds in the sign code (administrative variances below 15% or 10% of the building face) and whether a straightened lettering layout or a 10% scale reduction would remove the need for a variance. Trustees also questioned the number of faces and historic‑district considerations; staff noted the property is grandfathered and that the current code specifies the proper venue for the variance.

During the ordinance vote trustees moved and seconded an amendment in conditions of approval to remove the word "company" from the back sign text and to recenter the font, with the village graphic designer to finalize the exact layout. The amended ordinance was approved by roll call.

No fines or inspections were imposed; the board’s action permits the replacement as amended and directs staff to implement the sign wording and layout specified in the condition.