SHELBY — A proposed digital sign for the Ralph Phillips VFW Post 291 sparked another round of discussion Monday as Shelby City Council weighed preservation standards, downtown aesthetics and public safety concerns.

Council ultimately upheld the Shelby Historic Preservation Commission decision to deny the sign request for 30-32 W. Main St., with Councilman Nathan Martin abstaining from the vote.

Martin first noted the appeal during the May 4 meeting. He stated the original Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) was filed on Feb. 23 and not received until Feb. 24.The historical meeting that rejected it was on April 10.

He stated April 10 was 46 days after Feb. 23, where as action must be taken 45 days after the filing.

Debate shifts from deadlines to design

Project Coordinator Joe Gies told council he spoke with John Studenmund, a Mansfield attorney, about the disputed 45-day timeline.

Gies noted the subsection in the ordinance states the commission must approve or reject an application for a COA within 45 days of filing a complete application.

Gies said the commission did not receive pictures of the proposed sign and door until Feb. 24, a day after the initial filing. Because of that, Studenmund said the commission ruled within the required timeframe and sent the matter back to council for the appeal hearing.

Martin, also the Commander for the Ralph Phillips VFW Post 291, questioned the lack of clear standards in the denial.

“If the sign is too big or not pedestrian then what is that standard?” Martin asked.

He pointed to other signs on Main Street and asked whether those qualified as pedestrian-scale signage.

According to Martin, the proposed materials matched another sign already approved within the district, and would improve the building’s appearance.

He said the digital display could recreate the appearance of the building’s original bay windows during nighttime hours as a tribute to the structure’s earlier design.

Councilman McLaughlin said he opposed the sign because of potential traffic hazards.

“I drove past it in each direction and envisioned the sign up there,” McLaughlin said. “I’m having to look up and take my eyes off the road to see a billboard.

“I don’t want to be responsible for approving something that might be detrimental to someone’s safety and somebody get hurt.”

Martin noted studies have disproved those concerns.

“The U.S. Highway Traffic Association and Commission has done several studies on that and there’s been no studies that show digital billboards are related negatively to traffic,” Martin said.

Preservation commission defends denial

Kate Curren, chair of the preservation commission, defended the denial and said commissioners worried the sign would dramatically alter the historic district.

“It’s a very large sign and it is illuminated and would change the lighting and none of that is historically correct,” Curren said.

However, Curren noted the commission supports the VFW’s desire for signage and remains willing to work toward a design that better fits the district’s historic character.

She said the commission did not establish a specific size limit for signs but considered the proposed 11-by-38-foot sign too large.

Curren said the Ohio State Historic Preservation supported the commission’s concerns about scale, illumination and materials.

She added another downtown business, The Vault Wine Bar, submitted a letter expressing concerns about how the illuminated sign could affect its patio atmosphere.

Councilman Roub moved to affirm the preservation commission’s ruling.

Development and infrastructure projects are addressed

Council also addressed several infrastructure and property matters Monday night.

An ordinance allowing the city to sell a 6,815-square-foot parcel of city-owner property passed.

The ordinance also designates the Community Improvement Corporation of Shelby, Ohio, Inc. as the city’s agent for the sale.

Council previously passed an ordinance on June 16, 2025. The new ordinance extends the original six-month deadline tied to the sale and approves the transaction based on statements of qualifications the city received.

City officials stated the sale would “promote the welfare of the people of the political subdivision.”

The legislation requires the property to sell “as is — where is” without warranties. The city will also maintain an ingress, egress and utility easement connected to the parcel.

Council directed the city’s finance and public records director to deposit the net proceeds from the sale into Shelby’s general fund.

Council also discussed a resolution for the West Main and South Long Sewer and Watermain Replacement Project.

The resolution authorizes Mayor Steve Schag, acting as director of public service, to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the project.

City officials said portions of the storm sewers, sanitary sewers and water mains along West Main Street and South Long Street need replacement.

The resolution declares the measure an emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately after passage and mayoral approval.

Other matters discussed

  • Saturday, May 30, will mark Shelby’s second annual Shel-BEE Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Black Fork Commons Plaza.
  • Gies noted they are now accepting applications for the 2026 sidewalk program.
  • There will be a 21-day bridge closure for 61 South at South Gamble beginning May 27 and ending June 16.
  • Martin noted next Monday is Memorial Day where they will have a wonderful parade with “youngsters” showing off baseball and softball uniforms, along with veterans marching for remembrance.

“This is a reminder it’s more than hotdogs and baseball,” Martin added. “It is a day to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for out country.”