The village's Architectural Design Review Board (ADRB) embarked on a study to take a closer look at their practices and policies and possibly alter Garden City's code with regard to signage. Building Superintendent Michael Filippon said a series of effects prefaced the study, including requests to make some changes and other changes that were thought about for some time - ever since the board was given the responsibility to review sign applications.

"We felt it would better serve the village if some of these practices and policies were codified," Filippon said. For example, the ADRB's position on light box signs, or as Filippon described, metal boxes with plastic fronts. In the past, the review board has dismissed or denied such applications. Another example is the board's limitation of text on store awnings. "One request asked to consider projecting signs placed on hanging brackets. They lend a certain village or hometown atmosphere," Filippon said. The code currently doesn't permit such signs.

The ADRB did much research, even divided up into subgroups to investigate other ordinances from other towns. During the course of the study, certain new things were brought to the review board's attention - particularly the installation of solar energy panels. Garden City's code is totally silent on that issue.

As the review board went forth in that direction, their study coincided with a solar energy seminar at Farmingdale University, which offered pros and cons of such energy. "Rather than go into the existing code and try to edit the existing portion, the best way to approach it is to recommend deleting the section in its entirety and replace it with the draft before the board now," Filippon said during the May 6 board meeting. The text is merely a draft put together for trustees to review.

Village Administrator Robert Schoelle, Jr. suggested the board set a date for a future public hearing. Trustees agreed to hold the hearing on the proposed changes to the current code with regard to signage during the first meeting in June.

Trustee Robert Rothschild, who felt the study was long over due, suggested the Chamber of Commerce have an opportunity to review the draft prior to the public hearing. Mayor Barbara Miller, who agreed with Rothschild, further suggested that the draft be put in layman's terms so everyone, including the public, understands what proposals are on the table.