Palatine’s bigger shopping centers permitted more signage

Maximizing a business’ visibility while minimizing sign clutter has always been a tricky balance for Palatine officials.

But after several requests from the business community, the village council this week agreed to allow more signage for larger, unified shopping centers.

Palatine’s shopping centers that are five acres and larger — among then Regency Plaza, Palatine Plaza, Quentin Corner and Eurofresh Plaza — can now erect a third free-standing sign provided the property has at least 500 feet of frontage.

However, the council also required least 250 feet between signs, a condition that didn’t please Charles Margosian, president of Palatine Plaza, which extends from Hobby Lobby to Citibank on Northwest Highway.

“We’re sophisticated enough to know that it doesn’t make sense to put a sign where it can’t be seen or where someone’s going to get into an accident,” Margosian said in asking the council to reduce the separation distance.

He spoke on behalf of several tenants who requested more signage because their storefronts sit far back from the street. Alexian Brothers Heath System moved its clinic down the street because it was difficult to see, Margosian said.

Councilman Aaron Del Mar said that as the owner of a small tucked away business in Palatine, he could empathize with the frustration.

“We have to weigh the balance of signage in giving the business owners in Palatine as much help as we can ... but also taking a stance that we don’t want clutter,” he said.

Officials said the council wants to be business friendly, so it would consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.