Electronic Sign Sparks Darien Council Debate

DARIEN, IL — The Darien City Council on Monday debated whether the approval of an electronic sign for a business would prompt others to make similar requests.

An alderwoman said she feared approval of the proposal would mean more city-approved signs popping up on Darien's main thoroughfares. Others disagreed, with one saying he didn't expect Darien to resemble the Las Vegas Strip.

At Monday's meeting, the council considered the request for a digital sign at the University medical office building at 8110 S. Cass Ave. A representative said many patients have trouble finding the building.

Earlier this month, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the request for the sign, which is planned for the same place as the current one.

Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said the commission's vote holds "a ton of weight" with her, but she said she was concerned with the bigger picture.

"I know we already have electronic signs," Sullivan said. "I don't think the city would be better served with electronic signs in front of every business up and down Cass Avenue, 75th, Plainfield and Route 83."

Alderman Joseph Kenny said he didn't think it would send a good message to overturn a unanimous commission decision. He said digital signs are the way of the future.

"They're keeping the integrity of the sign, with just a portion of the center electronic," Kenny said. "I don't think this will make us look like the Las Vegas strip by any stretch of the imagination."

Alderman Eric Gustafson called himself a big proponent of electronic signs. He said he was still hoping to see one next to the new Dunkin' Donuts building at Cass Avenue and Plainfield Road, which was the subject of a big debate earlier this year.

He advised against allowing some businesses to have the signs and others not.

"If a business need is there, we should allow it to happen," he said.

The board voted 4-1 for the sign, with Sullivan dissenting. Aldermen Tom Chlystek and Ted Schauer were absent.

According to city documents, the council approved electronic signs for Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe in 2014 and the Auto-Mobile Center of Darien (now Darien Tire & Auto) in 2018.