UProv Supers Approve Additional Sign for Furniture Store

After retiring into the back room to discuss a sign application, the Upper Provdience Board of Supervisors approved an application by Raymour and Flanigan for an additional sign at a meeting June 6.

A public hearing was held on the signage request for the Raymour and Flanigan store in Providence Town Center. Raymour and Flanigan representatives requested an additional sign to go on the Arcola Road side of the building.

The store’s representatives, attorney Jim Dolan of Cozen O’Connor and Raymour and Flanigan vice president of real estate development Scott Milnamow, pointed out that the Michael’s, PetSmart and Staples have signs on the Arcola Road side of their building.

When asked why they were requesting a signage variance now, Milnamow said, “We advertise our brand in our commercials, not our specific locations.”

He went on to explain that the corporate office expected the store to do better and they believe that the lack of signage is causing them to miss opportunities to reach shoppers. Milnamow said the store isn’t visible unless you turn right from the main entrance road toward the other stores on that side.

Milnamow said that the sign will be lit with LED lights but will be off when the store is closed.

“We’re not putting spotlights or flashing lights out there,” he said.

Store manager Anthony Reever said customers have called from the Providence Town Center’s other parking areas asking for directions to the store.

Board Chairman Robert Fieo said that the other stores on that side of the complex have signs on the Arcola Road side of their buildings because they are allowed signs on two frontages and they only have two—front and back.

Milnamow conceded that he understands that the other stores are in compliance with the township’s signage ordinance but stressed his opinion that more signage would bring them new business, and therefore more shoppers coming into the center.

After a brief recess during the public meeting, which Fieo said was to “confer about the application,” the board voted unanimously to approve the application with the specification that the company would follow through on the statements and representations they made during the public hearing.

The board, along with the township manager and members of township staff, went into the back room during the meeting for approximately 10 minutes to discuss the application before coming out and voting unanimously to approve it.

The board stated that the plans would be reviewed again by zoning and planning officials as the process continues.