Krazy Mac’s sign saga is over
Lisa Roberson | The Chronicle-Telegram
ELYRIA — Krazy Mac’s bright white sign can stay.
After months of meetings and discussions, the issue over the opacity of the sign’s background was finally put to rest with a vote by City Council to override Planning Commission’s decision to approve the sign only if changes are made.
After a vote of 8 to 3, the sign can now remain as-is, with restaurant owner Ron Heinbaugh needing to make no modifications to fit design review guidelines.
Councilman Tom Callahan, D-at large, introduced the legislation calling for Council to override the Planning Commission’s decision based on a report from the Community Development Committee, which he chairs.
“This case was an exception to the rule, and the situation was really a perfect storm for failure with a lack of communication and understanding throughout the entire process,” he said prior to the final vote. “It is our decision to allow this appeal because we feel a compromise should have been worked out without the matter coming before City Council.”
Council members Forrest Bullocks, D-2nd Ward; Ken Burkhard, D-7th Ward and Kevin Krischer, I-5th Ward, voted against.
“I’m all for businesses, but I’m in favor of businesses that follow the rules,” Burkhard said. “It’s a business owner’s responsibility to find out the rules of any community before doing something like putting up a sign. I know other council members see this situation differently, but this is my opinion.”
Designed by Brian Allen, owner of Heavy Duty Graphics, the sign is a 4- by 6-foot white illuminated sign with green and orange coloring and brown lettering. It was installed in front of a vacant restaurant on the corner of Broad and Cedar streets in early September and soon drew attention from city officials who said its design was not within city guidelines because the light could shine through the white background.
Heinbaugh sought remediation through the Design Review Committee, Planning Commission and, finally, City Council.
When Monday’s vote finally closed the book on the subject, restrained applause could be heard from the audience.
Despite months of controversy, Heinbaugh opened his business, a restaurant that sells 20 different variations on macaroni and cheese in October and has since boasted steady business.
The matter has also not soured Heinbaugh on Elyria as he is closing his flagship restaurant in Cleveland to concentrate on the Elyria location and is moving to the city’s Eastern Heights neighborhood.
Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Lisa Roberson | The Chronicle-Telegram December 2nd, 2008 in Top Stories. Popularity: 3% |
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Comments
Comment from
Haxor
December 2, 2008, 7:18 am
What a waste of taxpayer’s money on this trivial issue, I wonder who is next on the list for the city to harass?
Comment from
bigbear1956
December 2, 2008, 8:14 am
Just another showing of our overpaid administrations people that govern this type of situation. When confronted by the giant “Light Bar” at the video store across the street or Pufferes neon board, they were dumbfounded and said they didn’t know of this. If they get out of city hall and actually look around the city, they may be more informed when questions arise.
Comment from
spidey
December 2, 2008, 9:05 am
Thanks to Krischer, Bullocks and Burkhard for standing up and doing whats right. Voting against this was the right thing. Allen jerked around everyone including the committee and yes Callahan, Brubaker and Mitchell made a mistake.
The city has guidelines and those 3 trashed those guidelines.
I wonder who wrote Callahans little speech. After the community development meeting and Brubakers rant, I have my opinion.
THE SIGN SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ALLOWED!
Comment from
megnspan
December 2, 2008, 9:05 am
It is very humerous to me, how many businesses have a white background on their signs. I drive thru Elyria, everyday. Down Cleveland St. you can count numerous signs with a white background and light shines through it. Isn’t this the point of a sign. To be seen! To attract attention to passerbyers.. Why not worry about all the trash that is seen all over the streets, or worry about the leaves that people rake into the streets instead of the lawn curb, then these people are the ones complaining when their streets are filled with ice, or water because the drains are covered with their leaves!
Comment from
MsJones
December 2, 2008, 9:18 am
Too Bad Spidey ….you lose! Congrats to Brian and Ron! Now let’s move on!
Comment from
Molli
December 2, 2008, 10:04 am
Yeah Spidey, I guess you and your friends are used to people having to write speeches for you. Maybe Callahan is finally coming around and being less afraid to speak up when even he sees how ridiculous the mayor and his little group are acting. How many hours has Brackenhoff wasted on this issue, all for naught? Too many! Never even got the building department involved. Even the law director tried to set the planning commission straight but they had their narrow vision set to do just like Burkhard and parrot the mayor.
Comment from
Cmon
December 2, 2008, 10:19 am
I have a feeling bg was ready to concede this issue. There is NNNNNNNOOOOOOOO way callahan would try to ruffle any more feathers with the administration. Don’t forget how he got sent to the woodshed when he tried to ask questions before. Not to mention he has family working for the lil emperor.
Comment from
Jimbob
December 2, 2008, 10:32 am
Well, I, for one, am glad it is ended. And it ended as it should have long ago without all the wrangling and arguing pro and con. IT ENDED AS IT SHOULD HAVE..Maybe now, especially with the economy so bad, the city won’t try to be so harsh on new businesses trying to open in the city, with the much needed jobs and taxes to be paid. Silly sign BS. Elyria has worse problems to correct, instead of worrying about things like this. Just my humble opinion.
Comment from
spidey
December 2, 2008, 10:33 am
Meganspan, your right about signs on Cleveland street and how bad they look. ALL pre design review. Those signs are why there is design review.
Molli, isnt that the job Tommy Boy wanted? Jealous?
Cmon….now thats funny.
Comment from
flask
December 2, 2008, 10:45 am
Signs like those found on Cleveland Street (and Broad Street) are why they started these ordinances, in an attempt to make Broad Street look a little more respectable. But since every new business wants an exception made for them, which the city usually ends up granting, I’m not sure why we have Design Review at all. Rite Aid was built before DR existed, then Family Video came along and said “Well Rite Aid has a corner wraparound parking lot, we should be allowed one too!!!” And guess what, the city said OK.
In the case of Krazy Mac, the guy wasn’t deliberately trying to flaunt the rules and it sounds like it was a genuine miscommunication, so I don’t have as much of a problem with that since the sign was already up. The city can claim “he should’ve checked first!” all they want, but when *you’re* the city with unusual or unconventional rules, the onus is on you to inform new businesses of said rules as well. Just like Brooklyn has their “park 2 talk” signs informing people of their cell phone ordinance, since it’s not exactly something a reasonable person would assume. Sometimes “ignorance of the law” IS an excuse.
Comment from
maerd
December 2, 2008, 10:47 am
spidey - Bitter to the end. Get over it.
Next in line - The recall of Grace.
Comment from
flask
December 2, 2008, 10:55 am
Oh, Twist & Shake was another one that bullied the city into letting them go against Design Review. The best was when Mrs. Brady said “This is Elyria, not Middleburg Heights.”
lol, yeah, no sh!t Rae Lynn
Comment from
spidey
December 2, 2008, 11:00 am
Maerd, Bitter? Me? Nope just those who didnt get hired by Grace now want a recall with NO LEGAL reason for one. Just unhappy wanna bes who didnt get the job they wanted.
prediction(and I was right about issue15) recall will get on ballot and will FAIL miserably.
HB and the EFD had their shot and lost.
TQ and RN had their shot and lost.
The people spoke, if you wanted rid of him there was 2 opportunities and it failed. just like this will. Then what?
Oh yeah you tried to get rid of Weber from clerk and EVERYONE of the council memebers voted him in. Lost there.
You campaigned against issue 15 with 2 council people and LOST there too.
Thats 0-4 in last 12 months. OUCH.
Comment from
maerd
December 2, 2008, 11:17 am
spidey - These comment sure sounds bitter -
THE SIGN SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ALLOWED!
Molli, isnt that the job Tommy Boy wanted? Jealous?
Boo Hoo deb.
Jones, hows Lorain and YOUR law director. Good move on your part…hehehehehe.
The only thing left is the recall and you might very well be right about the outcome but we will see.
Good Luck.
Comment from
deb
December 2, 2008, 12:47 pm
Spidey,
You forgot to mention that your boy lost to the pothole people TOO.
Comment from
KenB
December 2, 2008, 1:40 pm
For those that are not signed up on loraincountyspeaks there are videos on youtube. Type in search, mayor grace vs krazy mac. Part 2 and part 3 are very interesting. Brian and Ron did follow the rules, but you will see the Cities rules are very vague as Mr. Shilling pointed out.
You can also see the videos on loraincountyspeaks, of course you have to sign up but it is free to do so.
Oh! Spidey I see the camera’s in Council Chambers was on last night, why was that? If they work and were being used last night then it shouldn’t be a problem video each Council meeting.
Ken Behner aka dirtdigger
Comment from
Jimbob
December 2, 2008, 3:37 pm
Pothole babies????? That was just another example of incompetent people in the city administration, some failing to properly do their jobs and others calling citizens names…….uncalled for. Maintaining the roads and streets IS part of the administrations job.
Comment from
deb
December 2, 2008, 3:48 pm
I notice that our “friend’ Mr. Planning Commission is quite noticeably MIA. Some people just don’t handle losing very well. Sure hope you’re ok, Chris.
Comment from
Dan S.
December 2, 2008, 4:05 pm
I have to wonder if this issue was some sort of safety pressure release valve?
I mean, who gets this impassioned about a sign, then is able to find someone as impassioned with an opposite view?
The sign couldn’t have caused more of an outrage if it would have read, “Uncle Coon Boy’s Sammich Shop & Crack House!”
Comment from
Cmon
December 2, 2008, 4:08 pm
I don’t remember EFD running a campaign for Brinda. I only remember a feeble endorsment. EFD does not equal Brinda. I think anyone but bg equals EFD (and a lot of citizens as well).
There were no council people against issue 15. There were 2 who wanted to have the letter supporting the issue revised and edited.
You’re trying to stir the pot again with lies and misinformation Spidey.
Comment from
reggiewanker
December 2, 2008, 4:41 pm
well….I can at last sleep well at night knowing another great evil of our times has been laid to rest…….I think we can all breath a sigh of relief knowing that the crazy mac sign will be there beaming into the night….
Comment from
KenB
December 3, 2008, 5:38 pm
“I’m all for businesses, but I’m in favor of businesses that follow the rules,” Burkhard said. “It’s a business owner’s responsibility to find out the rules of any community before doing something like putting up a sign. I know other council members see this situation differently, but this is my opinion.”
Mr. Burkhard what rules did Brain and Ron not follow? Maybe the folks in your ward would like know what rules were broken. It seems 8 of your collages felt Brain and Ron hadn’t broken any rules.
Ken Behner aka dirtdigger
Comment from
Dan S.
December 4, 2008, 2:08 am
So, hypothetically typing now…
If someone were to take a bag full of rocks and hollow out the sign’s frame, would the same design be allowed to replace the old sign, or was that hearing just a one time thing for the sign that existed?
Comment from
Jack Miller
December 4, 2008, 2:34 am
I think they’ll keep arguing about this sign until hell freezes over. I think the Krazy Mac’s sign owner should put as many 1,000 watt HID bulbs in the sign as he can. Make it so bright it would give city council something to waste money on again and maybe make up a new light ordinance. That would get them excited!
Then the people who have argued nonstop for/against the sign will be given a second wind to argue about its light intensity.
Think about it people, you argued over Ron’s sign. I think all of you owe thanks to Ron for giving you something ’so important’ to fight over. Send him a thank you card or patronize his restaurant. Wait until I install my new billboard on the median strip on Middle Ave. The fight is on then! Sorry Ron, but I will be the king of troublesome signs.
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