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PERMIT US TO EXPLAIN
FEATURE NAME BY AUTHOR PERMITS BY DAVID HICKEY
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The permitting process can be purgatory.
The permitting saga might seem like a joke—unless you’re the sign company trying to get a permit. Or the business waiting on the sign to be installed before you can open your new venture.
This particular story starts in May 2018 when a sign company sought a variance for a community in Ohio. They were told only minor documentation was needed, including a site plan, proof of ownership and taxes paid, and surface development documents.
Even with this minor level of documentation needed, the city asked for a thirty-five-day review period and a three- to four-month process to schedule a meeting of the board that heard variance requests. A month later, the city came back with requests for more documentation and a bill for the variance fee (over $700). Two more months and the sign company was notified that the city’s case manager was changing. The new case manager requested an additional application for variance and advised another four-week review process.
By now, four months had passed and still no permit; not even a hearing. There were additional requests for documentation, including a soil vapor report.
Fast forward a few more months and there was another new case manager— who was actually the first case manager. He again requested more plans, including a landscaping plan. This required a formal resubmittal—and again, the clock started over with the review cycle. As this story approached the one-year mark, the sign company was asked to add utility locations to the landscaping plan—even though utility locations were included in the site plan.
Finally, fifteen months later, the company had its variance hearing.
While the frustrations this company faced in securing the permit variance might be a bit over the top, permitting is one of the biggest headaches that faces local sign companies. When the International Sign Association (ISA) recently asked members for their permitting “sob stories,” there were a few commonalities that emerged.
The specifics may be somewhat different based on the cities involved, but
32 Sign Builder Illustrated April 2020 signshop.com Photo: shutterstock/ Brian A Jackson
many sign companies found:
Complex paths to approval. As an example, one community now requires an engineer’s letter so that the city inspector doesn’t have to come onsite. This increases the costs of hiring a third-party inspector—and yet the city’s inspector still comes out to verify that the paperwork was signed.
Dicult communications. Several mentioned the challenges of getting phone calls and emails returned. One mentioned having an employee call the city’s contact five times in one day. Others mentioned that the language of the permitting process was so complex that it could only be interpreted by the city personnel.
Shifting rules. The requests for documentation have changed in many communities. One mentioned a need for a site plan to include sewer locations and other items that could only be found by searching the deed for a costly survey. Another mentioned that recent ordinance changes had specifically prevented sign company permit seekers from coming into the office to seek help. All of this
drives up costs for sign company owners and their customers. cess, including in cities like Denver and Chicago. But there is clearly much more work to be done. If we can succeed in those major cities, we can build a strategy that will work in your community.
One company leader mentioned that the majority of the time, the permitting process can be a positive experience, though there always is that one out there who will “rip apart our carefully designed plans” that had been approved by an excited customer.
The company ultimately received the permit, but only after fifteen months of frustration.
ISA is gathering these stories so that we can better understand these issues and help develop solutions. If you have a permitting or variance issue, visit signs.org/signcodehelp for tips to help strengthen your permitting case.
Conclusion ISA has been successful in convincing cities to streamline their permitting pro
David Hickey is vice president of Gov’t. A airs at the International Sign Association.
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VEHICLE WRAPS BY MAURA KELLER
Chiefs Among Wraps
A streetcar breaks the huddle to cheer on its local team.
Anyone who has seen the Kansas City Chiefs-decorated streetcar tooling along the streets of Kansas City, Missouri, can tell you the monumental role this wrapped vehicle played in the city’s landscape.
Installed by Signco, Inc., a full-service shop in Kansas City, the vehicle wrap of the KC Chiefs-themed streetcar also celebrates the recent monumental win of the NFL’s top prize by this city’s beloved team.
In August 2019, the KC Streetcar Authority called upon Signco Owner Mike Sailor to wrap a streetcar for the Kansas City Chiefs organization celebrating its sixtieth anniversary. As Sailor explains, the design was created by others outside of Signco’s shop and consisted of a very interesting and nostalgic step-and-repeat backdrop, promoting the sixty-year history of the team. “The players are high-quality images and look life-like,” he says. “After the team won the AFC Championship, we changed the perforated vinyl graphics on the doors and then again after the [big football] win.”
Another added touch was to make the interior lighting of the streetcar red—to match the Chiefs’ team color. So Sailor and his team digitally printed red onto 3M’s clear vinyl with airegress adhesive for easy installation and removal and placed it directly on the light lenses.
“Because the lights were LED, they stayed cool [and didn’t] cause problems with the vinyl. The results were great and the vinyl was removed in minutes,” says Sailor.
Nearly half of Sailor’s business is fleet graphics and wraps, as well as storefront window wraps and wall wraps. The other half consists of signs, banners, decals, displays, dimensional letters and logos, graphic design, and the occasional lighted sign or channel letters. And the company is now expanding into printed apparel and advertising specialties.
Because of his long-standing history and experience in the vehicle graphics business, Sailor understands the nuances involved in a vehicle wrap of this magnitude.
“The scale and time limit were the
34 Sign Builder Illustrated April 2020 signshop.com All photos: Signco, Inc.
greatest challenges,” Sailor says. “The more we prepared off-site, the more time we saved on-site; things went smoother. When you are printing hundreds of square feet of vinyl, you want to be sure everything is correct.”
The KC Chiefs streetcar wrap project was undoubtedly a team effort as the actual wrap was completed in just sixteen hours.
“I am very proud of our team,” says Sailor. “Without them, none of this could have happened. Our graphics department did a great job getting correct measurements and planning the printing and assembly of the wrap. Our installation team effectively coordinated their time and effort to meet the deadline, while keeping quality in mind at all times.”
And the advancements in today’s printing process and wrap quality further enhanced the streamlined process and end result of this vehicle wrap project.
As Sailor explains, just when you think, “How can the printing process and vinyl get any better?” the printing equipment and vinyl materials continue to improve—offering realistic images that truly “wow” streetcar riders and non-riders alike.
“Printers continually get faster, crispThe players on the wrap are high-quality images and look life-like.
er images,” explains Sailor. “What used to take two days to print now takes just half a day. All of these things are an advantage to the consumer because it makes the market more competitive.
“Of course, nothing can replace
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The wrapped KC Streetcar wins plenty of attention.
good people knowing how to use the equipment and application of the vinyl materials.”
For the KC Chief’s streetcar wrap, Signco used a special 3M vinyl that might cost a bit more up front, but it makes the removal process on the other end much faster and easier, as well as being kinder and gentler on the painted surfaces of the streetcars.
“Because of the effectiveness of vehicle wraps, the industry will continue to grow,” says Sailor. “Consider the streetcar. Everyone seems to have seen the Chief’s streetcar. After the [Big Game], even more people have seen it. And it also helps to promote the KC Streetcar Authority, which is a well run organization and has added tons of value to the downtown Kansas City area.”
The Signco team has now wrapped streetcars for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals baseball team, and the Sporting Kansas City soccer club, and each time they finish one, Sailor and his employees feel like they are a part of the team.
“I am grateful for the opportunity,” says Sailor. “The Kansas City community supports and takes a lot of pride in their local teams. And even with the daily challenges that come in this field, I really enjoy this industry and see a bright future.
“When you consider a wrapped service van travelling throughout the city every day, it makes thousands of impressions for that company’s business for very low cost per impression. Technology has opened up creative opportunities that just were not possible twenty-five years ago.”
BY BRAD BURNETT CNC ROUTER BY LORI SHRIDHARE WAYFINDING
PEDALING POSTINGS
Designing wayfinding signage for cyclists and pedestrians.
As U.S. cities and municipalities become more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly, directing and organizing traffic is critical. According to the League of American Bicyclists, the number of bike commuters has risen 105 percent in cities classified as “bicycle-friendly.” To help navigate drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians and most importantly, keep them safe, wayfinding signage plays an essential role.
According to Deven Young, a design associate at Alta Planning & Design (altaplanning.com), an advanced planning and design firm based in Los Angeles, there are strategies specific to vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian systems that organize the amount of information a sign provides based on the speed of the user. “Pedestrian signs may provide more detailed information in the form of maps and finger boards than a bicycle decision sign, which should limit the amount of information to three destinations,” he says.
When designing and creating signage, Young says that you must consider your user type, the associated traffic control guidance, and the context to build out an appropriate wayfinding system. “Bicycle signage must reflect Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines when being planned and implemented,” he says. “Remember to check your state guidance, as many states have adopted a supplement to the MUTCD that specifically addresses bicycle wayfinding.”
Young notes that if you are considering wayfinding as a place-making opportunity, it’s important to familiarize yourself with Community Wayfinding chapter, 2D.50 of the MUTCD to better understand how you can make your signs unique and community-specific while still meeting the traffic control guidance.
“The most successful systems are those that create a consistent vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian wayfinding family so all of the signage is consistent and recognizable,” explains Young. “Legibility can correctly aid in decision-making for users.”
At Alta, the company likes to use the following principles for designing their wayfinding systems: Be Predictable: Sign types and placement should be consistent and predictable so users can quickly understand the system. Be Inclusive: Your system should be legible to the broadest range of users, including those who cannot read English or are visually impaired. Keep It Simple: In reading wayfinding systems, users are generally moving at higher speeds and have a limited amount of time to digest content. Keeping it simple makes for a safer and more understandable system. Connect Places: Guide users to existing points of interest while allowing them to discover new destinations.
Many benefits go beyond providing travel clarity. “Wayfinding systems are a natural extension of your community’s efforts to encourage more walking and bicycling,” says Young. “Installing a wayfinding system is essentially advertising the routes and trails that already exist to potential users who may not have this information.”
Wayfinding can also be an economic development tool—one that highlights the assets of your region, city, or town. “Every place has a unique story to tell, and your wayfinding system can be a part of creating a memorable experience,” says Young. “A more legible network creates a positive travel experience that can lead to increased recreation, tourism, active transportation, and business investment, all of which can bring a boost to the local economy.
AIGA-approved symbols are most commonly employed on pedestrian wayfinding systems. “However bicycle wayfinding systems generally do not include symbols,” confirms Young, “but the top 30 percent of any on-street bicycle wayfinding sign may be dedicated to an enhancement marker—such as a city or route logo.
According to Young, fundamental building blocks of a bicycle wayfinding system include: Decision signs that are located at intersections with other bicycle facilities to clarify travel options; confirmation signs that can be placed where typically complex maneuver or turns are made to reassure the cyclist that they are indeed on their intended path; and turn signs, which should be posted at both complex intersections, as well as along non-intuitive routes (to reinforce a specific direction).
“You might consider additional elements to enhance your system,” says Young. “These could include kiosks, orientation maps, and interpretive panels, all of which are primarily intended to be viewed by pedestrians.”
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BY BRAD BURNETT CNC ROUTER BY ASHLEY BRAY ADA
ATTENTION TO ADA
An Oregon shop talks designing and fabricating ADA signage.
Family-owned Western Sign Services in Boring, Oregon began as a trade shop making a range of signs. “We started our business in 1999 as a way that I could stay home with our young children. In the early 2000s, my husband, Brad, who then had been working in the sign business for over twelve years, quit his job, and we went full time into making banners, screening, vinyl lettering, etc.,” says Office/Project Manager Michele Normand. “In 2007, we built a relationship with a local sign broker/designer and found our way into architectural wayfinding sign systems for hospitals, office buildings, and schools. Today we employ ourselves and both of our boys.”
Focusing in on ADA The shop has increasingly focused on ADA signage over the past few years.
“Through our work, we learned that there was a need for ADA signage that was not being met. Many of the local companies who did Braille signage were focusing their work on the large Braille orders, and those clients that needed a small order were finding it hard to get serviced,” says Normand, who explains that these companies were finding the
minimum cost for their small orders out of their budget. “They were being left out and forgotten. In 2008, the designer we were working with suggested that we purchase a Braille system in order to be the company to serve every client’s needs.
“We believe that every customer and every job is important no matter the size.” From there, Western Sign Services focused in on Braille and architectural interior signage for the trade industry.
“We are trained in ADA signage requirements and standards and can help clients meet those requirements, if needed,” says Normand. “Another benefit [of working
with us] is it gives designers, contractors, and other sign companies the ability to provide braille signage to their clients without having to do the work themselves.
“We believe in doing one thing great instead of trying to do everything mediocre.”
The Photopolymer Process After research, Western Sign Services decided on photopolymer ADA signage. “Both Raster ® Braille and photopolymer are proven methods to create ADAcompliant interior signs, however, photopolymer offers some unique benefits. Photopolymer is resilient and durable, tactile elements are detailed and clean, and we can produce a 19-by-25 sheet of signs at a time,” says Normand. “Photopolymer signs are an integrated onepiece sign, and they have a greater resilience against vandalism. Photopolymer allows for a lot of design possibilities.”
Normand also points to photopolymer’s sustainable benefits. “The desire to minimize environmental footprint is an important factor to designers and builders,” she says. “The polymer process involves the use of plain water, while no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are emitted during the process. The wastewater is completely biodegradable. Forty percent or more of post-industrial recycled materials are typically used to create the PETG base.”
Western Sign Services uses the photopolymer sign system from Nova Polymers. Normand explains, “Artwork is created and Braille is translated using our Flexisign program. Film used to expose the photopolymer is generated using our InkStar Film Solution, which prints highdensity negatives and positives. Processing the actual Novacryl ® photopolymer is done with our Orbital X Photopolymer Processor. Once processed, the photopolymer gets cut using an AccuCutter Finishing Shear.
“We apply color to the photopolymer sign panel by spraying Matthews Acrylic Polyurethane Paint to either the surface or second surface of the Novacryl sign panel,” she continues. “The polymer
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is then sprayed with a clear coat. Next raised characters are foil-stamped using a Hot Stamp unit. The last step is assembly of all the sign components.”
Normand says following the processing guidelines for photopolymer ADA signs is most important. “Polymer must be processed correctly to avoid failure and to ensure our Braille dots and characters are at the highest quality,” she says.
The Details in Design Before processing these signs, they must be designed, and Normand says today’s designs seem to be focused on an architectural look that supports corporate branding. “Braille signs have changed from being text-only to including digital images and creative accents,” she says. This has led to ADA signage becoming more custom, which in turn affects the pricing. “In our facility, we have found that pricing per square inch of finished photopolymer, which includes painting and foil stamping, works best,” says Normand. “There are additional costs for custom paint matches or custom foil colors.” No matter what design is chosen, there are a few ADA regulations Normand says should be kept in mind: • Tactile letter depth must be 1/32-inch. • Letter height: 5/8-inches-two inches. • Letters must be a sans serif font, as well as uppercase. • The signs must have a non-glare finish, and the characters and symbols must contrast with the background (light characters/symbols with a dark background or vice versa). • The Braille dots are to be domed Grade 2 Braille, and pictograms must be within a six-inch-high area with nothing in it except the pictogram. Normand says to also be aware of rules for overhead and directional signage.
Burnside Plaza Project Normand cites a recent project in which they designed and fabricated interior signage—including directories and room identification signs—for a local building in their area called Burnside Plaza.
“The three things that were important to the client were that the design matched their building, the signs were interchangeable and easily updated if a tenant leaves or moves suites, and cost,” she says.
To accomplish the client’s goals, Western Sign Services used P95 black acrylic for the back of the signs with a routedout square center where tenant name panels would magnetically insert into the pocket for ease of change. An ADAcompliant photopolymer header painted and stamped was attached to the top of the room identification signage. Die-cut 3M ™ Scotchcal ™ Film Series 220 vinyl was used to create the tenant copy attached to the name panels.
The room identification signs were mounted with double-faced tape. On glass, a glass backer panel was used. The directory was mounted with mechanical fasteners. “The signs look great, and the client is very happy,” says Normand.
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