Can a sign be too big? Totally.

Last Updated: November 15, 2022By

A sign too big: Total Wine’s proposed sign

Nov. 15. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Board of Adjustment tabled a request from Total Wine to install an oversized sign at their new location in the former SteinMart store in Cornelius. Board members asked store representatives to come back at their Dec. 12 meeting with a new design which reflects their size concerns.

Details

Total Wine’s proposed new sign would have been a total of 246.24 square feet, while the town code only permits signs to be a maximum of 100 square feet.

In their application for a variance, Gina Penney, representing Total Wine, said the store is located 290 feet from the roadway and that enforcing the town sign law would represent an “extreme hardship” in the world of modern retail..

Board members took exception to the hardship declaration and asked store officials to come up with a new proposal with smaller lettering.

Background

Per Town and state law, the Board of Adjustment, which is comprised of the same individuals as the planning board, acts on enforcement of the town Zoning Ordinance on individual properties, such as variance requests. Requests are heard in a quasi-judicial (court style) manner in which sworn testimony is given and decisions are based on facts and evidence presented.

No Comments

  1. Joe a vagnone November 15, 2022 at 12:21 pm - Reply

    We business owners have been dealing with this for years. such a frustrating process. I trust the board will make the right decision, each location requires a detail review & discernment. but what I do know – I have multiple clients in the same center, with the same “hardship”

  2. Anon November 15, 2022 at 1:27 pm - Reply

    The only way the size of that sign needs to be that big is if they’re trying to attract non-residents who don’t already know it’s there. And I don’t think residents actually want to keep attracting more non-residents…

    • Richard Stilwell November 15, 2022 at 3:48 pm - Reply

      Despite what you think we are not a gated exclusive community. All non-residents are welcome in my book. Thank you Total Wine for choosing Cornelius.

  3. Anon2 November 16, 2022 at 4:09 pm - Reply

    How about too bright?

    Bueller?
    Bueller?
    Bueller?

  4. Tom Karpovitz November 17, 2022 at 7:31 am - Reply

    Online searches don’t require a big sign. When I travel I google locations and use navigation tools to get there. Once I’ve been there, I don’t need a “half acre” of sign to find the store.

  5. JEFF SHAW November 17, 2022 at 4:16 pm - Reply

    Stock it with wine, the wino’s will find it.

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

recent posts

Our Partners

upcoming events