Madison Art Cinemas Wants to Change its Marquee

MADISON, CT — The Madison Art Cinemas wants to change its marquee and the topic was discussed in some detail at a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting last week.

The cinemas wants to replace the letters and numbers on the marquee with LED lighting in an effort to make it more visible and zoning officials are considering the request.

Here is a summary as presented in the meeting minutes:

Discussion – Arnold Gorlick regarding Madison Art Cinemas marquee.

Chairman Ronald Clark stated that Arnold Gorlick could not be present, due to an event taking place at the theater. Town Planner David Anderson stated that Mr. Gorlick would like to replace the letters and numbers on the marquee with LED lighting, to draw more attention to it, and also to make it more legible to passersby.

Since there may be a concern about having LEDs in the Downtown Village District, Mr. Anderson stated that an application for the new marquee could be dawn up as a minor alteration, which would not have a public hearing, or as a major alteration, thus requiring a public hearing.

It is Mr. Anderson’s opinion that the marquee should be presented in a public hearing, so those who may be concerned would be able to hear the plans and voice their concerns. Chairman Clark stated that when the general plan of the downtown center project was presented a few years ago, the plans had two trees flanking a light post in front of the marquee, which would have obstructed the marquee’s view from visitors, and the Planning and Zoning Commission did not believe it would be a good idea to landscape in that fashion in front of the theater, so the plans were revised.

When Mr. Gorlick saw that the Planning and Zoning Commission is now discussing the possibility of revising the sign regulations, he became concerned, because he does not want to get locked out of changing the marquee, according to Chairman Clark.

Being open minded and getting public input, while keeping a business and keeping it viable, are important concepts to consider, according to Chairman Clark. Mr. Anderson stated he just wants to make sure everyone agrees with the process, and he wants to make sure there is an avenue for people to express their thoughts.

Vice Chairman Larson stated the movie theater is a very unique asset to have in the town of Madison; no other town nearby has a movie theater in its downtown center. She stated she would be very much in favor of having an open mind and being supportive of maintaining that business in town; it would be prudent to have a public hearing.

Chairman Clark stated that there are degrees of LEDs available, and Mr. Anderson stated that the examples he has been shown by Mr. Gorlick are tasteful. Mr. Anderson stated he will encourage Mr. Gorlick to submit the application so the Planning and Zoning Commission can go through with the process.