Sign may fall to ordinance

MILFORD — Will the landmark Fauchere’s sign over the hotel door survive the borough’s sign ordinance? Dating from the 1920’s, the blue “light-box” is said to be the oldest lighted sign in a town that puts a premium on seniority. But it may be in danger as the hotel owners fight a borough decision prohibiting additional signage on the Broad Street side of the building. The owners want to attach a small sign for Bar Louis, which has its entrance on the Catharine Street side; and another facing southbound traffic. They are taking their case to the borough’s zoning hearing board. On Monday night, the borough council debated a recommendation to the zoning board. Co-owner Richard Snyder argued that the downstairs bar, upstairs restaurant and the hotel were separate businesses, needing separate signage. Council President Matt Osterberg said the ownership is what matters. “That’s like saying the hardware store (he manages) and lumber yard are separate.” The old sign came into the discussion because it was included in the original sign permit for the building. “It isn’t doing us any good. If we covered it up, we’d have the right to another sign,” Snyder said. Councilman Ed Raarup suggested a compromise, removal of the light box for the small hanging sign Snyder sought. Attorney John Klemeyer said the issue is consistency. A compromise would bring many new requests for compromises. “No good deed goes unpunished. This is Milford,” he said. The council voted, with Raarup opposed, to back Code Enforcement Officer Duane Kuhn’s decision in their recommendations to the zoning board. Snyder said the appeal would go forward “in hopes of some common sense from the zoning board.” In other business Monday, the council voted 3-2, with Raarup and Norm Helms opposed, to appoint Dimmick Inn co-owner, Ed Loeschorn, to fill the unexpired term of retired Councilman Bill Kiger.