COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) -On a 5-0 vote, the Coldwater Zoning Board of Appeals turned down a variance request from the Tibbits Opera Foundation on Wednesday so that an electronic message sign could be installed just south of the Tibbits Opera House on South Hanchett.
The Tibbits Opera House property is zoned C-2 Central Business District and city zoning ordinances prohibits the installation of electronic message signs in those areas. Tibbits wanted to use the sign to promote upcoming events and provide marketing messages to the public.
The request from the Tibbits was turned down by the Coldwater Planning Commission earlier this year.
The Planning Commission also voted down a proposed revision to a city ordinance that would limit electronic signs to properties over 13,500 square feet and ban them on Chicago Street.
The Coldwater City Council has the ultimate authority on ordinance changes.
In saying no on Wednesday, Z.B.A. members felt the request did not meet most of the criteria needed for approval. They were also afraid others would make similar requests.
