of Chillicothe, Ross County & South-Central Ohio
of Chillicothe, Ross County & South-Central Ohio new 9/17/04 |
| New sign for CHS TV with brand name approved by DRB, and neighboring billboard-like banner not approved |
CHS TV got the new sign they wanted from the Design Review Board a few months ago, with only a little discussion about the corporate logo on it that the DRB guidelines recommend against.
Yet, maybe a week or two before the Summer Olympics in Greece, this billboard-sized sign for CHS TV appeared on a neighboring building with nary a nod to the DRB. "Your ticket to Greece / HDTV / CHS TV Downtown Chillicothe / chillicothehometheater.com" it says. The sign is little more than a story tall and hung from the "City Linen & Towel Service" just across the alley from the CHS TV parking lot, and is still there a few weeks after the Olympics.
I attended the Design review Board meeting when CHS TV requested the new sign that is now atop their building. The DRB sign guidelines state, on page 41, "advertising of specific brand names is prohibited." CHS TV stated that their contract with Sony made it clear that the corporate name must be on their sign or they would be in breach of contract.
I suggested after the fact that the DRB could justify bending that rule by asking for a consolation - getting the CHS TV to screen their parking lot from the sidewalk. But, Mayor Sulzer deemed not to appoint me to the board after my offer in December, and CHS got a freebie.
But, without even chancing another easy approval of what was prohibited on the next page, the billboard appeared. The DRB sign guidelines state on page 42, "the Preservation District of Chillicothe is clearly not the place for off premise advertising or billboards."
And I have not heard a word about it, especially at the latest, September DRB meeting.
Personally, I think the new CHS TV sign looks good on a building that is probably one of the three ugliest in the downtown. The "Streamline Modern" profile and blend of Art Deco and Copperplate Gothic fonts on the sign, along with the full length dark awning, make the building less of a bland nothing. (It works especially well with the Art Deco lines of Carl's Townhouse around the corner.)
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From the guideline booklet that all Design Review Board members should have - the moment they were appointed: Design Criteria for Signs in the Preservation District - Chillicothe, OhioHurley, Schaufer & Associates Community Development Consultants, Columbus, Ohio, 1977 Advertising by Brand Name - page 41 Although the sign regulations of the Chillicothe Zoning Code states that wall, roof, ground, and projecting signs "shall be limited to displaying only the names of owners, trade names and symbols, and principal products sold or activity conducted on the premises" the concept or regulation is stressed here in this sign criteria to insure understanding. Advertising of specific brand names is prohibited. Signs which advertise names such as Pepsi Cola, Coca Cola, STP, Strohs Beer, etc. are prohibited not only in the Preservation District but throughout Chillicothe. Advertising by trade names such as Arthur Treacher's, McDonalds, Wendy's, Pizza Hut, etc. is permitted. Advertising products sold or activities conducted on the premises such as hamburgers, pizza, soft drinks, dancing, entertainment, etc. is also permitted. Off-Premise Advertising Or Billboards - page 42 The Preservation District of Chillicothe is clearly not the place for off-premise advertising or billboards. Billboards can more property be located in areas not so intense with other activities. The use of billboards within the Preservation District would create sign overload and detract from the the attractiveness of the area. It is the recommendation of this design criteria that a method be found to eventually remove all billboards or off-premise advertising within the Preservation District in favor of other more appropriate locations where demand for on-premise signs is not so intense or needed. |
new 7/22/05
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CHS TV neighboring billboard-like banner is gone... |
The de-facto billboard for CHS TV disappeared sometime in April.
Though the side of the laundry building is no beauty, it was refreshing to see the billboard gone, free to follow the other members of its race who are almost extirpated from the downtown.
I'm certain having a billboard for your business next to your business is a boondoggle, especially when your neighbor doesn't mind loosing the view - but billboards just don't belong in a historic downtown, and they are prohibited by law in Chillicothe.
new 7/22/05
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IT'S BAAACK! |
No, never mind...It's back with a veangence by July.
Now with a permanent metal frame, it's stronger - and more obtrusive - than before. Has anyone noticed this? Or is this like the fable "The Emperor's New Clothes," where everybody except a little boy is in denial?
Well, I guess that puts me in my place...
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