DE Summer 04
Summer '04 Edition
Local developers applaud sign amendment
Zack Creglow
Daily EgyptianThe Carbondale City Council passed a text amendment to allow freestanding signs anywhere within a business development at a special meeting held Thursday, which in turn, appears to have saved the deal for a new Kohl's Department Store.
"Of all the different things we were negotiating, there was only thing that they said could break the deal, which was the sign," said Richard Parrish, trustee of the M.P. Land Trust, which was in negotiations with Kohl's for a parcel of land on Giant City Road and submitted the application for the amendment.
The amendment to Section 15-2G of the Carbondale Revised Code, which aims to more clearly differentiate between the terms of business development and shopping center, moved through the necessary steps expeditiously to curb any worry.
After the Carbondale Planning Commission recommended last Tuesday the city make the changes to the ordinance, which was adopted in 1974, the city council was recalled for a second meeting of the week with the amendment passing 6-0.
"We have accommodated business economic interest to move something faster in the past," said Tom Redmond, Development Services director for the City of Carbondale. "In this case, it was our understanding they were getting ready to close the deal and needed to get this done. Again, this has been done in the past to accommodate businesses."
The negations between the M.P. Land Trust and Kohl's should close possibly before the end of the week, according to Parrish, with the target date to open slotted for March.
"We still have a couple other paper things that need to be finalized," Parrish said. "I am very pleased with the level of cooperation out of the city staff on finding exactly what it would take to make this happen. They obviously understood that this was a good deal for the city of Carbondale."
Although some have perceived the change as a move solely for the Kohl's development, the planning commission noted in its report to the city council other developments in Carbondale should be of benefit from the change.
One of those mentioned in the report includes the development by Charlie B. Brown and Associates at Reed Station Road, where a Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn and Houlihan's restaurant are undergoing construction. This area could utilize the sign usage the new ordinance now allows.
"I am not really sure. We probably will. Right now, I haven't thought too much about it with construction and all, but there will probably be signs that should help a lot, " said Trace Brown, a partner in the development group. "I thought this was a very smart move."
As many stand in agreement regarding the amendment, the worries that linger is whether the amendment will be a loophole that will lead to a proliferation of signs on Illinois Route 13 and if this courtesy would be extended to all businesses.
"Even though I did vote in favor, I did bring up the concern that we are too ready to jump into and change things when large development is involved," said councilmen Lance Jack. "We are not quite as willing when smaller mom and pop business are involved. I addressed the concern that I would hope if the small business developments come to the staff, they would be just as willing to help them."
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