Antioch board approves text amendment to allow internally lit village signage

The Antioch Planning & Zoning Board voted to approve a text amendment to section 10-14-12 of the village sign code, permitting internally illuminated signage and allowing up to 48 square feet and 10 feet in height for village-owned institutional signs.

Staff said the amendment would give the village flexibility to place a channel-letter sign on the planned Village Hall remodel at 935 Skidmore Drive that would match a previously approved channel-letter sign used elsewhere in town. The proposed code insertion would exempt village signs from some Antioch Downtown Site District restrictions and allow the community-development director to consider special regulations for areas with unique character; the village board may overrule a director’s denial by majority vote.

“We want the village to be visible to the community,” Howard said during the presentation, explaining that the site is on a secondary street behind Main Street storefronts and an internally illuminated sign will improve wayfinding for residents attending meetings. Staff showed an architect’s rendering of a proposed 44-square-foot Antioch Village Hall channel-letter sign.

Commissioners questioned whether the sign would create glare for nearby houses along Skidmore and why the exemption applies only to government, school, park and church uses. Staff said the exemption was intentional to prevent commercial uses from exploiting the relaxed standard and that building orientation and elevation will limit off-site impacts for the proposed Village Hall sign.

A motion to approve the text amendment was seconded and carried on roll call with affirmative votes from the board. The staff presentation and the adopted language will allow the village to seek a sign permit for the new Village Hall once the amendment is codified and the remodel proceeds.