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Villa Park commission reviews 78‑page signage survey and eyes ordinance tweaks for window coverage
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a Community Development survey showing widespread window signage issues and discussed enforcement and possible ordinance changes — including clearer temporary‑sign definitions, dating requirements and a proposed 30‑day cooling off period to prevent perpetual sign rotation.
The Villa Park Liquor Control Commission on Nov. 25 reviewed a 78‑page signage survey completed by Community Development that documents day and night photos of liquor establishments across town and identifies likely ordinance violations.
Staff described the survey as a comprehensive first step and said the plan is to bring noncompliant businesses into compliance with existing ordinances before proposing any code changes. Commissioners flagged the ordinance’s 25% permanent window coverage standard as the most commonly violated provision: some establishments have near‑full window coverage or rotate temporary signs to effectively exceed the limit.
Commissioners and staff discussed classification of neon signs, whether neon should be treated as permanent or temporary, and enforcement challenges. Commissioners floated potential ordinance fixes: requiring temporary signs to display a clear expiration date, limiting how often a temporary sign location can be reused (a suggested 'cooling‑off' period of roughly 30 days was discussed), and tightening the definition of temporary signage to close a rotation loophole.
Why it matters: Commissioners said sign coverage affects public safety (visibility for police and passersby) and neighborhood appearance. The commission prefers to enforce current code first — issuing notices, allowing a cure period and using ordinance violation tickets if necessary — then evaluate whether changes to the code are warranted once most businesses are on the same baseline.
Next steps: Staff will notify businesses identified in the survey about compliance issues and allow time to remedy deficiencies. Commissioners asked staff to return with proposed ordinance language and an implementation timeline for review in 2026; no ordinance amendments were adopted at the Nov. 25 meeting.
