Temp signs get 6 months

Gurnee hopes relaxed rules help business

GURNEE -- The village has relaxed the restriction on temporary signs for another six months, with officials hoping to boost holiday retail sales in a sluggish economy.

In August, the Village Board approved a 90-day moratorium on enforcement of the 14-day limit on temporary signs. The expiration date was Tuesday.

Village Planning Manager Tracy Velkover indicated that during the past three months many businesses have taken advantage of the opportunity to display temporary signs to advertise special sales events, or simply to call attention to their business.

Mayor Kristina Kovarik said the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce supported a six-month sign extension to April 30, 2010.

On Monday night the Village Board debated whether the extension should be to Jan. 31 or to April 30.

Trustees Kirk Morris and Greg Garner favored the shorter period, stating that it would cover merchants during the holiday period but not unnecessarily prolong the privilege. The motion failed by a 4-2 vote.

Discussion then focused on the need to stimulate sales during the traditionally slow post-holiday period. A second vote, on the April 30 termination date, was supported unanimously.

During the six-month extension, the village's Community Development Department will survey temporary-sign applicants to determine what, if anything, should be done on a permanent basis.