To the Editor:
This is our open letter to the members of the Guilderland Zoning Board of Appeals.

We wish to reiterate that you, as the board entrusted with zoning issues specific to signs, have a full understanding of the magnitude of the approval of the signage requested by Mr. Jonathan Phillips.

First, the town code for Guilderland is very specific as to the size and number of signs allowed for each property, business and non-business. You are aware of what they are and we do not need to reiterate here.

Second, the guidelines set forth by the New York State Town Law and the Guilderland Town Code give specifics to signage including but not limited to the following, which is taken from the town code, Section 280:

“Purpose. This section provides standards to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare by controlling the number, location, construction, installation, illumination and maintenance of signs and sign structures. The purpose of this section is to control the quality and quantity of signs so as to enhance the identification of business and professional enterprises and improve the visual quality of the community.

“In reviewing a sign permit application, the reviewing board shall determine that the applicant has demonstrated the following:

“— (a) The proposed sign is in harmony with the standards for permitted signs and within the spirit of this chapter;

“— (b) The proposed sign shall be comparable with the neighborhood environment and character and shall not be detrimental to adjacent property;

“— (c) The proposed sign does not, by reason of its location, create a hazard to the public in general or to adjacent owner or occupant;

“— (d) The proposed sign does not interfere with the lawful and aesthetic enjoyment of the public highway or adjacent property.”

Thirdly, according to the state Department of Transportation website, the speed limit on Route 158 is 55 miles per hour. Mr. Phillips is asking for signs that advertise goods sold in his store and feels that he needs them to increase business at his site.

With a speed limit of 55, the additional signage creates a hazard of distraction, as well as being illuminated all night during non-business hours, along a dark stretch of a high-speed roadway.

We also need to safeguard our neighborhood and surrounding properties by not encouraging unnecessary and short stops due to signage from a business owner.

This is a self-created hardship and we in the community should not have to suffer the wrath of poor planning at the expense of the request for an unreasonable variance.

Advertising is accomplished in many ways, but signage on a building in a high-speed area is not the way to accomplish this. Advertising can be accomplished as every other business does: newspapers, radio, social media, and websites.

Robyn Gray

Chairwoman

Steering Committee

Guilderland Coalition

for Responsible Growth

Editor’s note: See related story.