Goodrich — Goodrich business owners who have signage concerns should make them known, says Goodrich Village Administrator Jakki Sidge.
A recent decision to ticket sign violators is a last-ditch resort to enforce safety and aesthetic issues, but the village is open to business owners’ needs. The ordinance, which was written in the late 1990s, has changed several times in response to local needs. Although village ordinances are essentially law and violations result in penalties, business owners can request changes through the zoning board of appeals, said Sidge.
The Village of Goodrich Zoning Ordinance, article 18: sign standards is a complicated 10-page document uniformly prohibiting signs which obstruct free access or egress from a building, lighted signs that could be confused for emergency vehicle or traffic signals lighting, signs that obstruct or impair motorists’ or pedestrians’ vision, signs with moving or animated parts, non-regulatory signs placed in a public right-of-way, attached to a utility pole or tree, and some portable signs.
Every business is permitted a sign; the type is regulated according to its location within one of five village zones: residential, central business district, office service district, general commercial district, or industrial district.
“I understand the reason for it, but I don’t always agree with it,” says downtown Cranberries Cafe owner Patty Plant, who says a previous conflict with the village was easily resolved. Plant would like to see the ordinance made more clear.
“Make it black and white so it’s not so complicated and you can understand it better,” she said.
Tom Gojcaj, owner of Tom’s Coney Cafe on State Road, says the large portable sign he had constructed was to advise customers when the cafe is open, since the neon sign in the window can’t be seen in direct sunlight.
“I didn’t do it to cause problems with anybody, especially the village. They’ve been nothing but good to me,” he said.
In Gojcaj’s case, frontage along the Goodrich Plaza means two pylon, or permanent signs could be erected, meaning more room for tenants to advertise, says Sidge.
“I don’t mean to sound antagonistic, but there have to be rules and regulations or it would look like it used to look. We’re always open to suggestions.”

When township officials bought the new Township Hall in 2008, handicap accessibility was a major selling point.
When William Chamberlin stopped by this past week, he wasn’t impressed.
‘Township Hall has no handicap-parking signs,? said Chamberlin, Independence Township resident who has advocated for handicap rights in the past. ‘The township is supposed to set an example.?
The hall’s parking lot has eight spaces marked in blue for handicap parking, but no ‘handicap parking? signs posted.
The problem: police can’t issue tickets to parking scofflaws if spaces aren’t marked with signs.
‘Stripes mean nothing by themselves,? Chamberlin said.
State regulations require handicap spaces to be marked with a mounted sign on a post or wall to be enforceable. Spaces marked with only paint on the ground are not considered legally reserved, confirmed Lt. Dale LaBair, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Independence Township substation.
Building Director Dave Belcher had three signs installed that day, March 3.
‘I’ll make sure the spaces are marked correctly,? Belcher said.
Chamberlin, who has limited mobility because of a spinal injury from a workplace fall, also said the handicap parking spaces are too far from the township hall’s main entrance, its elevator seems small, and the door-opening button at the main entrance was stuck.
Belcher said the parking spaces and elevator meet code, and he would repair the button. Parking spaces are closest to doors on the north face of the building, leading to department offices, and south doors, leading to the lower floor and meeting hall.
Chamberlin continues to pursue other ideas benefiting those with disabilities, such as handicap-parking spaces in downtown Clarkston and authorizing citizens to issue handicap-parking tickets.
‘That would generate a lot of money ? $250 per ticket,? he said.
City officials looked into downtown parking, but said M-15 is under state regulation and space is too limited on side roads. More should be done, though, Chamberlin said.
‘I feel we are a forgotten and abused citizen. So many of us are frustrated,? he said. ‘Something needs to be done.?
The 18,000-square-foot township hall was purchased in 2008 for $2.7 million. The township spent $800,000 for moving and remodeling, but ran out of money before signs could be installed ? paper signs are used instead.
The Township Board voted 4-3, July 7, 2009, to reject a motion to bid out a signage plan to four sign companies for up to $25,000.