Jackson Heights Life

75th Street between 37th Avenue & 37th Road now has 2 bright scrolling marquee signs. Before this catches on as a trend can something be done to stop this?

The Jackson Heights Beautification Group is meeting with Councilman Dromm next Wednesday to discuss this sign along with other commercial signage on residential and commercial buildings that have NEVER been inspected by the Department of Buildings, even though complaints have existed literally for years.  We anticipate that our councilmember will have the DOB come out here to make sure they are inspected.  Unfortunately, once one business gets away with this, all the others think it is open season to degrade our quality of life. 

Please contact Councilmembers Dromm and Ferraras to express your concern about this issue.  By the way, these LED, chaser-light signs are illegal in the historic district.  They have also proliferated, and have been reported to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Thank you for your concern!

the chaser signs are like 'zipper' signs -- you know, like the news ones in times square, only in multicolors that flash and advertise. these are not in windows, but on the outside of buildings.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/101472504/Pizza_LED_Sign_With_Flashing_Chaser.html

What is an LED chaser sign?

 Could it be grandfathered in as it was here prior to the landmarking status?

I guess because it's inside and in the wondow, I am ok.

I am totally sympathetic to the small business owners having been raised by shopkeepers.
I also believe in supporting our local shops, especially those we want to see thrive here.
Sometimes it may cost a little more, but the time and transportation out of the area for a bargain isn't always a bargain.

I don't think it should matter if these signs are inside a window or outside - they still are what they are. Grandfathering may well ultimately be an option. It's also a way of saying, "It's ok for me but not for you."

My questions would be: Is is it really necessary?
                                Does it enhance the esthetics and quality of the neighborhood?
                                Will it really attract the neighbors in, or aggravate them?

Doing the right thing might be more important than splitting legal hairs.
I don't think we want to look like Main Street in Flushing.

Lights, lasers, loud music and other things that cause distruption to quality of life (and health) should not be legal and therefore not allowed. We all - storekeeper and residents - need to copperate for a good community for all.

Section dealing with lighting in the landmark rules.  This is just one issue that is completly ignored by by the city in maintaining Jackson Heights as a historic district.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/pubs/JH_English.pdf

CHAPTER 8: PROPOSED ALTERATIONS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION
OF STOREFRONTS IN THE JACKSON HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT

(7) Lighting.
8-12
(i) The installation of lighting conduits and fixtures shall not obscure or damage any significant architectural feature.
(ii) Lighting conduits shall be internal or not visible.
(iii) External light fixtures shall illuminate only the storefront and/or ground story signs.
(iv) The number and size of light fixtures shall be in keeping with the scale of the storefront.
(v) The design of light fixtures shall be utilitarian or shall complement the
architectural style and detail of the building.
(vi) Fluorescent and high intensity light shall be permitted only if the source of light is concealed and shielded.
(vii) Recessed light fixtures shall be mounted within the soffits of recessed storefront entrances.
(viii) No separate light fixture shall illuminate any sign with internal illumination.

Right nowthe Historic District stops on the east side of 77 street & 37 Avenue. Anything on 37 Avenue below 77 Street is unprotected. The boarders included partial blocks above 77 Street between 37Avenue & Roosevelt Avenue. The only place where it reaches Roosevelt is at 82 Street.