By Bill Wolcott<br><a href="mailto:wolcottb@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Bill</a>
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
TOWN OF LOCKPORT
July 23, 2008 01:17 am
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The Town of Lockport Zoning Board of Appeals didn’t bend regarding a permission for a video sign Tuesday, and the owner of Auto Specialties may take his case to the public.
The public hearing was kept open, and David Mongielo will have to come back on Aug. 26 to try again.
Mongielo’s 10-by-10 foot sign on South Transit Road in Pendleton has helped community fundraisers, but it does not meet the town’s criteria for a variance, according to town attorney Daniel E. Seaman.
The new Auto Specialties site on 6115 Robinson cannot have a video sign. There can be a static sign that changes its message every 10 minutes. Mongielo’s sign is still on the Pendleton side of Transit Road, where moving pictures are permitted.
“When it comes to the fundraising part of it, it really irks me,” Mongielo said after his PowerPoint presentation. “The board members, the town attorney didn’t seem happy at all that I was even here.”
“We’re looking for more community support. It’s their own town; they can make a decision in their own town. We’re going to take it to the people to help. In one event alone, we’ve helped raise over $10,000.”
The Lockport native who has had shops in the city and in Wrights Corners, feels he’s hit all dead ends on the town. He did get some moral support from board member Frank Loiars, who said: “That is a magnificent sign. You could read everything.”
Charles Dahlquist of the zoning board said: “He can put it up, as long as he puts it up without video. It’s not an issue.”
Mongielo said: “The problem with that is getting a message across in a short period of time. It’s very difficult, and the lettering will have to be small. We can be more effective with a video of different letters on the sign.”
Auto Specialties has used pictures of the people in need, where the event is and when the event is. Mongielo uses the sign to advertise his business, but estimates that 30 percent to 40 percent was used for charities.
Mongielo wanted the sign and video aspects separated, and thinking ahead to the next step, had discouraged supporters from coming to Tuesday’s meeting.
Christ Sposito of Newfane did stand up for David and Sue Mongielo. “I’m looking at the standpoint of how the sign benefits the community,” Sposito said. “It’s such a boon to the community. I hope it’s approved one way or another. They’ve helped generate tens of thousands of dollars.”
Under the town law, Mongielo will have to prove he has a hardship and provide financial records showing that it costs him not to have the sign.
In other action, the board:
n Approved a variance for Carl Lewandowski to rebuild his home on Reger Drive. He was represented by architect David Fleming.
Contact reporter Bill Wolcott 439-9222, ext. 6246.
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