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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJPZ - 06/17/2014 - SANDWICH SIGN BOARDS/ E-CIGARETTES ELK GROVE VILLAGE JPZ COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, June 17, 2014 4:01 p.m. JPZ Members Present: Sam Lissner, Village Trustee, Chainnan Jeffrey Franke, Village Trustee Chris Prochno, Village Trustee Staff: Raymond Rummel, Village Manager Matthew Roan, Deputy Village Manager Maggie Jablonski, Assistant Village Manager Mary Jo Pye, Director, CD Steve Trudan, Deputy Director, CD Steve Schmidt, Chief, Police Charles Walsh, Deputy Chief, Police Guests: None SANDWICH BOARD SIGNS PROPOSAL As a result of certain businesses in Elk Grove Village expressing a desire to use sandwich board signs, the Committee discussed the possibility of allowing such signs to be put up on sidewalks outside of businesses. Deputy Director of Community Development Steve Trudan distributed a survey of nearby communities regarding their sandwich board sign regulations, stating that 3 of 6 comparable communities don't allow them at all. Those that do allow sandwich board signs restrict them to specific downtown business districts. The committee was advised that Elk Grove Village does not have the type of downtown business district with heavy pedestrian traffic for which sandwich board signs would be useful. Additionally, without an area restriction, signage safety and aesthetics would be difficult to enforce and could significantly clutter the Village's primary commercial corridors. The Committee noted that it would be possible to mitigate some of staffs concerns regarding appearance and sturdiness with design regulations, but acknowledged that the portable nature of the signs could make enforcement difficult. The Committee noted that we bill ourselves as being "Beyond Business Friendly" and considered whether there would be a material benefit to businesses in allowing sandwich board signs. It was discussed that most traffic in Elk Grove Village is destination-based and such signs would be difficult to read while passing in a car. The possibility of a limited trial run of sandwich board signs was discussed, but put off due to the difficulty of eliminating signage once it has been permitted. The Committee was advised that temporary sign permits can be requested twice a year by Village businesses and that currently items such as daily specials are listed in windows. The consensus of the Committee was to recommend that sandwich boards not be permitted in Elk Grove Village at this time. E-CIGARETTES REGULATON The Committee discussed a memo from the Assistant Village Manager dated June 6, 2014 regarding the regulation of e-cigarettes with regards to minors. As of January 1, 2014, Illinois State law prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Recently, Arlington Heights passed their own e-cigarette regulation allowing them to enforce it as a local ordinance violation and extending the prohibition to include purchase and possession by minors. Deputy Chief of Police Walsh indicated that the prohibition of possession is especially important, as e-cigarettes are increasingly being confiscated in schools, but no ordinance exists to pursue the matter. The Committee agreed unanimously to recommend that the Village prohibit the sale, purchase and possession of e-cigarettes by minors, similar to the regulation recently passed by Arlington Heights. The Committee also discussed the possibility of treating e-cigarettes the same as tobacco products in the Village, specifically with regard to the indoor smoking ban. The Committee noted that Chicago and Arlington Heights are considering such a step, but that there is not enough information about whether e-cigarettes emit harmful substances at this point. Additionally, some individuals could be using e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking cigarettes. The committee also expressed a desire not to place tighter restrictions on the restaurants and businesses than is currently in place in the rest of the state. The consensus of the Committee was to recommend that the Village not amend the indoor smoking ban to include e-cigarettes at this time. The meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m. c: Mayor& Board of Trustees Village Manager Deputy Village Manager Village Clerk Village Attorney Department Heads