Hartsdale Marketplace sign approved with conditions; town bans digital window displays

The Hartsdale Code Review Committee approved a sign application for Hartsdale Marketplace at 196 East Hartsdale Avenue on a unanimous vote, imposing conditions intended to preserve storefront visibility and neighborhood character.

The committee accepted a proposal for 18-inch channel letters above the entrance and a larger channel-letter sign on the building’s side, but conditioned approval on three requirements: the business must place its street number over the front door (and on the corner window), the business may not install digital signage, and no signage may cover more than 25% of any window pane, consistent with town code.

During a presentation, the applicant’s representative showed July 2024 photos demonstrating heavy summer tree canopy that obscures the front facade and said the side sign would be most visible during peak months. "In the summer, the front of the store is basically 100% blocked," the presenter said, arguing the side sign would capture returning traffic. Committee members discussed whether additional awnings or a rendering showing two more awnings would better integrate the corner appearance; the presenter said he would consult the owner and could provide renderings on request.

The applicant, Cesar, who joined the meeting by phone, told the committee he did not plan to cover entire windows with advertising. "I don't plan on covering the whole windows," Cesar said. "We would probably put something on the bottom — a band or tasteful graphic — and leave the top open so people can see into the store." He said the storefronts in his other locations are tailored to neighborhood rules and that he would follow Hartsdale code.

Staff reminded the committee that the town requires a separate permit for window signage and that signage cannot exceed 25% of any pane. The committee agreed a non-digital band across the lower portion of windows (roughly 6–8 inches tall as discussed in the presentation) would be acceptable but reiterated there would be no digital displays.

The committee moved to approve the sign application with the stated conditions; a motion was made, seconded and approved by the members present. The applicant said he hoped to open as soon as possible.

Committee members also discussed lighting: the applicant indicated illuminated channel letters and logo signs would be face-lit and halo-lit and proposed having illumination on a timer that would switch the signs off shortly after closing. Staff noted the town’s standard that exterior illumination not exceed the brightness of other nearby signs; the applicant said individual fixtures were represented as approximately 4,550 lumens at 3,000 K in prior communications and agreed to use a timer and settings that comply with the code.

The committee’s approval is conditioned on the permit application reflecting the agreed items (address placement over doors, no digital signage, window coverage limited to 25% per pane, and timer control for illumination).