The stage is set In #NewtownPA township for a showdown over neon signs in what I call "Neon Signage Armageddon".
On Wednesday night [27 Sept 2023], the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors [BOS] voted unanimously to oppose a zoning board appeal by the Borscht Belt, which is seeking a variance for a neon window sign. [Read “Borscht Belt Delicatessen Seeks Variance to Allow Neon Sign”.]
Supervisor Phil Calabro made the motion to send its solicitor and the township's zoning officer to a zoning board meeting [on Nov. 2] in early November to defend the township’s sign ordinance, which states that “any sign illuminated by inert gas or any form of exposed tubes is prohibited.”
"It's important that we send our solicitor because of the abuse that has been done by this deli in regard to breaking the zoning law," said Calabro. "We need to stick up for our zoning laws."
The hugely popular Jewish deli, which opened last May in the Village at Newtown South, was sent a violation notice by the township after the township received an anonymous complaint over its neon “Borscht Belt Deli” window sign.
In his appeal, [the eatery’s co-founder, Mike Dalewitz] is seeking a variance to allow the sign. He points to at least 17 other electric window signs throughout the township, including seven in the Village at Newtown South Shopping Center.
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At the 27 Sep 2023 BOS meeting, Ms. Peggy Driscoll, Chair of the Newtown Planning Commission said:
"The members did discuss the neon sign, the inconsistent enforcement of signage in our commercial districts and in this particular case, the outdated zoning ordinance. For many years the Planning Commission has discussed our signage ordinances and we are in agreement that it might be necessary to update the entire sign ordinance for all zoning districts, perhaps at the Jointure is looking into amending the billboard ordinance."
Hence, the beginning of what might be called "Neon Signage Armageddon" ;) Stay tuned...
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