Settlement allows electronic sign in Libertyville
A compromise between a businessman and the village will allow for a rarity along major corridors in Libertyville.
Pending final approval by a Lake County circuit judge, the Tranel Financial Group Ltd. will be allowed to install an electronic message board in front of the business at 1509 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Rather than continue the fight in court, the village board on Tuesday agreed to settle with Tranel, clearing the way for what would be the fifth electronic message sign in the village.
Trustees voted 4-1 to accept an agreement that will settle a lawsuit brought against the village in May 2008 by owner Roch Tranel.
"I'm not in favor of electronic message boards of any type," said Trustee Drew Cullum, the only board member to speak on the issue. "I think they have a negative impact on the communities that have them."
Tranel brought the suit after his request for a variation from village code to allow a full motion, 5-foot by 9-foot sign was rejected. He alleged the denial was unconstitutional and sought court approval and reimbursement of attorney's fees.
Among the provisions of the compromise, the size of the sign will be reduced from 45 square feet to 33 square feet. Streaming video or movement, other than a display of a fluttering American flag, will not be allowed.
Messages must be displayed at least 10 seconds between changes, and no single message can be displayed more than once every 40 seconds, according to the agreement. Only time and temperature can be displayed between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The village's zoning code does not address electronic signs, although they can be sought as a variance. The settlement with Tranel was based on research of ordinances in other municipalities, said John Spoden, the village's community development director.
The existing electronic signs are at Liberty Auto City, Libertyville High School, the Libertyville Sports Complex and Libertyville Bank & Trust, he added.
Tranel agreed to allow the village to override commercial messages for emergency situations, such as an Amber Alert. A Libertyville resident and Rotarian, Tranel said information on events and activities also will be displayed. He expected the sign to be operational in about 60 days.
"One of the things I want to use the sign for is just to promote the community," he said.
It isn't the first time a Tranel proposal was not specifically covered by village code.
In fall 2006, he was denied village approval to install an 80-foot flagpole to hold a 600-square-foot American flag. No court action ensued but Tranel hasn't forgotten the concept.
"I still have that idea," he said.