Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 15, 1993 TAG: 9310150225
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But he will have to move it off a dirt mound so that it doesn't visually dominate the front of the building.
That was the verdict Thursday for the sign, which identifies Highland Park as the winner of a national award for excellence.
The Architectural Review Board ruled that the sign can remain, even though school officials violated historic-zoning rules by erecting it without permission from the city.
"This was a clear violation of the historic district regulations," said William Whitwell, chairman of the board.
If Lensch had sought the board's approval before the sign was erected, several members said, they probably would have granted it.
But they said they would not have agreed for the sign to be atop the dirt mound.
Tim Jamieson, a board member, said the sign is attractive but needs to be moved to blend with the building and landscaping.
The sign became an issue two months ago when Lensch asked the board to approve it after city officials learned it had been erected. One Old Southwest resident complained and said the sign should remain up no longer than one year.
The board had tabled action until Thursday.
Lensch told the board he could accept its decision, regardless of whether he had to move the sign.
"My personal feeling is that it's not worth the time and money to move it; but either way, I can live with it," he said.
Two Old Southwest residents said they objected to tax money being used to move the sign. They said they liked the sign where it is and saw no need to move it.
"I strongly resent my tax money being spent to move it," Carol Otterman said.
Lensch said he will ask the school system's maintenance workers to move the sign. He said that as far as he knows, none of the money for moving the sign will come from educational funds for Highland Park.
Lensch told the board earlier that he was unaware of the historic district regulations on signs and building exteriors in Old Southwest.
He said he was so eager to make people aware of the school's achievement that he forgot to check with the city to see if he needed permission to put up the sign.
The $1,700 sign identifies Highland Park as a "Blue Ribbon School of Excellence," one of only two in Virginia to receive that award from the federal government in the past year.
by CNB