COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After tabling a decision until they could get an opinion whether words painted on a building could be classified as a sign, the City of Coldwater Zoning Board of Appeals voted this week to deny a variance to U.S.12 Auto Repair on that very matter.
The business at 335 East Chicago Street requested a review because they were not sure if painting letters or designs on a building could considered as a sign. Coldwater City Attorney Megan Angell reviewed the city’s sign ordinance and determined that lettering on the building can be considered a sign.
According to Zoning and Planning Administrator Dean Walrack, the ruling means U.S.12 Auto Repair has too many signs on their front facade. Walrack says they can paint over the lettering in question, they can move the flush-mounted sign on the south side of the building to a different facade, or remove it entirely, or paint over the lettering on that facade and paint it on one of the side or rear facades and still be in compliance.
