A large LED sign was recently installed behind a wooden sign at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on the 300 block of Locust Street, which is in the Columbia Borough Historic District.
A sticker on the side of the sign’s casing displays the manufacturer’s name and contact information.
Council denied a proposed LED-lighted sign at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 340 Locust St. Glenn Shaeffer, Historic Architectural Review Board chairman, asked that council create an amendment not allowing this type of sign in the future.
“There are no other signs like this in the historic district and allowing it would open the door for others and have an impact on the historic nature of the district,” Shaeffer said. “The historic district should not look like the Las Vegas strip.”
Council members Kelly Murphy and Cle Berntheizel removed themselves from the vote because they are members of the church.
HERE is a video showing the manufacture and operation of various LED signs from ADvantageLED Signs.
Columbia Spy 
God said “Show me the light”, but not in LED
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How come the Coffee Club didn't stop this? They had to know it was being installed.
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So what is council going to do about this they should be made to take the sign down or is the council just going to do what they usually do not a thing maybe I would like to put a LED sign on my front lawn are you going to allow me to do it if they can do anyone in town should be allowed to do it answer please like to put a LED light on my front l
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“The historic district should not look like the Las Vegas strip.”Nah, people actually want to go to Las Vegas.
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You really don't understand the concept of zoning, do you?
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Oh they both knew,,, now let's see what happens.
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What was the end result of the vote after Cle and Kelley abstained? Did it pass or fail? If it was denied, its a no brainer, have it removed. The church's council or decision makers will learn a valuable lesson. No one should be above the law.
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At its July 11, 2016 meeting, council voted 5-0 to deny permission for the sign.
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I agree time to get rid of the whole council the only trouble is they all runing for office again on November 7th so where does that get us no where it won't get any better same old people and same old things it won't get any better also same mayor time for a change in this town or there soon won't be a town because who will want to live in this town high taxes falling apart school district time for change before it is to late
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Don't know that God said that, Pilgrim.Do know that Rudolph and Zoey did, though.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BwtLeXLqew
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I bet if the Market House wanted a LED sign it would be allowed.
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I doubt it,,,,
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Why in God's name would any church need a sign like this? Makes zero sense. Why DO we need to pay for consultants and studies? Nothing changes. There's at least 12+ buildings/businesses along Locust Street that will never be open in the evening and even if they were, they have nothing to offer to the visiting public. Then add in the vacant buildings and trash all over…there's not much curb appeal left. Thank God for the Murphys.
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Fighting a church. We have a council full of real tough guys.
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Council does not have to “fight” a church, the decision was made and the church has to obey the code regulations just like everyone else does. Taxpayers money goes to enforce these regulations.
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Yep, fighting a church. Tough guys. I bet if certain members of the community wanted a LED sign, it would be allowed immediately.
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Yeah, right. That sign would be up so fast, your head would spin.
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If you're lucky enough to own a home in the “historic district” you can't even get replacement windows, or point your bricks without permission/fight! So, this is just a slap in the face to home owners as is the storage facility! What an ugly eyesore at what should be a nice waterfront! How did that thing ever get approval. It has no historic features at all!
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That im sure was approved due to the person that, owned the property and had them built, its always about who you are around columbia,
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What does our HARB and it's paid advisor have to say???
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That's just pathetic!
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The application was denied at HARB. Went to council on appeal and council upheld the HARB recommendation for denial.
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Replacement windows are no longer reviewed by HARB, unless the size of opening is changing or the configuration is changing. The storage facility is not in the historic district. If you're not happy about that, take it up with council, as they created the district.
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The church was told last year that they could not put up a LED sign so why did they go ahead and put it up I don't care if it is a church they need to obey the law and they need to take it down
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They made HARB even more useless. But this time in a good way. Although, I'd be happy if they'd get rid of the whole thing.
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Council better tread cautiously on this one, as allowing it will set a precedent for more to come. An obscene sign at a church, what a joke.
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Churches should be exempt from those dumb sign laws
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Actually I would think churches (and other businesses) would do a better job of setting an example at how to work together in a community.
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God said “Show me the light”, but not in LED
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How come the Coffee Club didn't stop this? They had to know it was being installed.
LikeLike
So what is council going to do about this they should be made to take the sign down or is the council just going to do what they usually do not a thing maybe I would like to put a LED sign on my front lawn are you going to allow me to do it if they can do anyone in town should be allowed to do it answer please like to put a LED light on my front l
LikeLike
“The historic district should not look like the Las Vegas strip.”Nah, people actually want to go to Las Vegas.
LikeLike
You really don't understand the concept of zoning, do you?
LikeLike
Oh they both knew,,, now let's see what happens.
LikeLike
What was the end result of the vote after Cle and Kelley abstained? Did it pass or fail? If it was denied, its a no brainer, have it removed. The church's council or decision makers will learn a valuable lesson. No one should be above the law.
LikeLike
At its July 11, 2016 meeting, council voted 5-0 to deny permission for the sign.
LikeLike
I agree time to get rid of the whole council the only trouble is they all runing for office again on November 7th so where does that get us no where it won't get any better same old people and same old things it won't get any better also same mayor time for a change in this town or there soon won't be a town because who will want to live in this town high taxes falling apart school district time for change before it is to late
LikeLike
Don't know that God said that, Pilgrim.Do know that Rudolph and Zoey did, though.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BwtLeXLqew
LikeLike
I bet if the Market House wanted a LED sign it would be allowed.
LikeLike
I doubt it,,,,
LikeLike
Why in God's name would any church need a sign like this? Makes zero sense. Why DO we need to pay for consultants and studies? Nothing changes. There's at least 12+ buildings/businesses along Locust Street that will never be open in the evening and even if they were, they have nothing to offer to the visiting public. Then add in the vacant buildings and trash all over…there's not much curb appeal left. Thank God for the Murphys.
LikeLike
Fighting a church. We have a council full of real tough guys.
LikeLike
Council does not have to “fight” a church, the decision was made and the church has to obey the code regulations just like everyone else does. Taxpayers money goes to enforce these regulations.
LikeLike
Yep, fighting a church. Tough guys. I bet if certain members of the community wanted a LED sign, it would be allowed immediately.
LikeLike
Yeah, right. That sign would be up so fast, your head would spin.
LikeLike
If you're lucky enough to own a home in the “historic district” you can't even get replacement windows, or point your bricks without permission/fight! So, this is just a slap in the face to home owners as is the storage facility! What an ugly eyesore at what should be a nice waterfront! How did that thing ever get approval. It has no historic features at all!
LikeLike
That im sure was approved due to the person that, owned the property and had them built, its always about who you are around columbia,
LikeLike
What does our HARB and it's paid advisor have to say???
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That's just pathetic!
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The application was denied at HARB. Went to council on appeal and council upheld the HARB recommendation for denial.
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