Crystal Lake City Council denied a martini bar from putting up a sign that is larger than what is currently allowed by the city’s ordinance.
Living Room Martini Lounge/Crush Club, 446 W. Virginia St., requested approval to erect a 10-square-foot projecting sign in that location, known as Location B or The Virginia Street Corridor.
The current ordinance only allows for a 9-square-foot sign, in the Virginia Street Corridor. Signs in that area also must be a minimum of 8 feet above the ground and a maximum of 15 feet above the ground.
A projecting sign is only permitted in that area if the sign replaces the permitted wall sign, according to a city official.
“We have spent (a lot of) time trying to get signs along Route 14 in order,” said Mayor Aaron Shepley. “Every time we grant a variation it weakens the ordinance. We are not anti-business.”
