After a Long Fight, Verizon Store Owner Plans to Remove Advertisements

Four framed advertisements posted on the Verizon store on North Oakland Avenue have been the center of a months-long battle between store owner Dan Rosenbaum and village officials who want them removed.

The standoff could end this weekend, when Rosenbaum plans to take down the signs.

“I’m not happy with it,” Rosenbaum said. “I don’t think the village really supports small businesses.”

By code, village businesses are allowed one exterior sign each, and two if located on a corner (one on each side).

Conflict began in March when Rosenbaum opened the store and replaced artwork on the exterior of the building with advertisements. Considering these advertisements to be exterior signs, village officials told Rosenbaum he had to get them approved by the village Design Review Board.

In May, the board found the number advertisements to be in violation of code and . Rosenbaum took the issue to the Board of Appeals in July, which upheld the original decision.

According to Planning and Zoning Administrator Ericka Lang, Rosenbaum then had 30 days to challenge the decision in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. At the time, Rosenbaum .

Having already spent $150 to bring his request to the Design Review Board, and another $150 to appeal the decision, Rosenbaum said he was in for the long haul.

However, the 30 days passed without event, and on Wednesday Rosenbaum received a citation for non-compliance — a fee of $177.

After receiving the citation, Rosenbaum said he decided he will take down the signs this weekend and ask to get the fine waived for complying.

Rosenbaum hasn’t totally let go of the idea of going to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, but he said he likely won’t be able to afford the cost.

“I’m a small business, so I’m probably just going to take them down,” Rosenbaum said.