Planning Commission Gives Carmelites OK for New Sign

The Order of the Carmelites have crossed one hurdle in their quest to replace the current sign on their Bailey Road property with a larger one.

At Wednesday’s  meeting, Darien officials voted 4-2 in favor of a variation to allow the Carmelites to install a 640-square foot free-standing sign, greater than the 32-square foot sign area permitted for a religious institution.

In favor of the sign variance were Donald Hickock, Ronald Kiefer, Raymond Mielkus and Kenneth Ritzert; opposed were Beverly Meyer and John Lind.

Ken Yanko, the Carmelites' building service manager, said the current sign was built about 50 years ago and is in need of replacement.

“It’s in pretty bad shape,” he said. “A good wind storm and it will come down. The wood has deteriorated.”

Officials from the Order of the Carmelites would like to replace the sign with a larger steel version, as well as redo the landscaping around it and use lighting to make the sign more visible and appealing.

Yanko explained the need for such a large replacement.

“The Carmelites feel the sign is a bit of a beacon summoning people to their campus for their religious activities,” he said.

Before the vote, commission member Meyer expressed concern that  allowing the sign would set a precedent.

“This is going to be blatantly saying, ‘Come to us and we’ll change whatever we want for you,’” she said. “I don’t want the commission to have that reputation.”

Yanko agreed this was a valid point but said that because of Carmelites’ longevity in the city, they “deserve some sort of special treatment.”

“They’ve been here 60 years and plan on being there for many, many more,” he said. “They do have a national shrine to a religious saint, they have a house there. They’re a part of the national register.”

The National Shrine of St. Therese is located on the 50-acre Carmelite campus. Also on the campus are the Carmelite Spiritual Center and the Carefree Village senior community.

City Planner Mike Griffith said he did not believe that allowing the sign would mean officials would be setting a precedent.

“I guess my comment would be that it’s no more of a precedent than any other zoning approval the city might grant,” he said. “We have to judge on its own individual merits.”

Commission member Lind said he did not feel such a large sign was necessary.

“People will find you through the Internet now,” he said. It’s not like they’re not going to be able to locate you.”

“The world’s coming to an end Saturday anyway,” Hickock quipped. “What’s the difference?”

Yanko said he didn’t see a disadvantage to allowing such a large sign.

“The Carmelites have been a very good friend of the community,” he said. “How can it hurt? If they’re willing to spend the money to have this beautification advertisement done—if it’s not a detriment to the community, why not let them do it?”

The commission’s recommendation will go before the Municipal Services Committee on Monday for more discussion.