Plans for a new sign for Klaben Ford's Lincoln brand were delayed after the Kent Board of Zoning Appeals expressed some concern over the sign's size.
A representative for the company designing the sign, Ellet Sign Co., took plans to the zoning board asking for a variance that would allow a larger sign than exists at the dealership's West Main Street location.
Klaben was looking for a 62-foot variance for a new sign that would have a total 112 square feet. The new sign would be about 22 square feet larger and 9 inches taller than the existing sign.
Amy Noble, of Ellet Sign Co., said Ford is requiring a specific sign design due to the Mercury brand's elimination. She said custom signs are not permitted, but signs can be built shorter at 20 feet. The proposed sign would stand above 24 feet.
"All the signage that is branded 'Mercury' has to change," Noble said. "All this is recommended and required by Ford."
Noble withdrew the variance request at Monday's meeting, postponing any action on the proposed sign, after members of the zoning board asked about potential compromises from Ford on the size.
"The request came from Ford because they got rid of Mercury," Noble said. "The dealer’s being forced to do this, to change the sign."
Zoning board chair person Elizabeth Howard said she didn't understand why a larger sign was being proposed that would have less information.
"To make it yet bigger, and yet taller, with less information on it seems excessive," she said.
In withdrawing the request, Noble said she would talk with the dealer about the sign to see if there is in fact a difference in the size of the sign and whether a smaller sign is acceptable.
Howard encouraged her to tell the Rich Klaben, president of , which owns Klaben Ford, to attend the next presentation to the zoning board.
"I’m generally very pro business," zoning board member Paul Sellman said. "But this thing looks really huge."
C'mon - the speed limit there is 25mph, people have plenty of time to cruise by and see all of the signs.