In August of 2017 the Lake Placid Business Association asked the Development Commission to help them implement the proposals contained in the 2016 Main Street Report. This would require an amendment to the 2011 Land Use Code.
The Development Commission met with the Town and Village Boards in January to discuss whether to move forward with this request. Both the Town and Village Boards expressed interest the possible adoption of new language for menu / sandwich board signs. The general feeling was to hold off on the other proposals of the Main Street Report until a clearer picture of the possible new design of Main Street developed.
Representatives from the Development Commission proceeded to meet with a group of the Business Association members to develop language that would essentially allow sandwich board signs in the Village Center District and in the Gateway Corridor Districts. Those recommendations were presented to the Appearance Committee on February 7, 2018 and the full Development Commission on February 8, 2018. Those groups suggested edits to the proposal. The language was finalized and presented to the Village Board on February 27 and the Town Board on March 6.
The new approach would end the prohibition of sandwich board / menu signs in the Village Center District and in the Highway Corridor Districts. There would be slightly different design standards and location requirements in each district.
The proposed changes would also affect projecting flags. While “Open” flags would still be prohibited in the Village Center District, those commercial uses which could not meet the proposed standards for sandwich board signs would be allowed a single small projecting flag. “Open” signs would continue to be allowed in the Gateway Corridor Districts. Once again, each District would be governed by different design, size, and location requirements.
In April the Development Commission and representatives from the Lake Placid Business Association met with the Village and Town Boards. Both Boards decided to move forward with separate Public Hearing. The Village of Lake Placid will hold their meeting on Monday, May 7, 2018 at 5 PM and the Town of North Elba will follow on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 6:45 PM. Both hearings will take place in the 1st floor meeting room of the Town Hall at 2963 Main Street, Lake Placid.
More specific information is available at:
Main Street Initiative Page – Link to background information of the Main Street Study Group
2016 Main Street Report: Proposals of the Main Street Study Group