Town seeks clear rules on merchants' window decals

By JEFF MORRIS 

An application that came before the Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 7 led to multiple boards considering possible revisions to the town’s sign ordinance.

The impetus for change was triggered by the application of Curco Operating Company LLC for 748 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills — a store called Bricks & Minifigs in the Route 117 business corridor.

Owner Christine Fischer requested a variance to permit the installation of eight additional signs where one sign already exists and where a total of two signs are permitted in the Roadside Business District. 

The Bricks & Minifigs franchise specializes in buying, selling and trading LEGO products, both new and preowned. When she received site plan approval from the Planning Board in June 2025, Fischer said, “Our mission is to create a hands-on community oriented experience that supports creativity, sustainability and family fun, centered around all things LEGO.”

In her sign application, Fischer explained that as part of the Bricks & Minifigs franchise brand standards, each store is required to display specific window decals featuring LEGO minifigure graphics and branded elements.

“These decals help identify the store to customers, communicate the nature of our business, and maintain consistency across all BAM locations nationwide,” she said. “Compliance with these standards is necessary for us to remain in good standing with both Bricks & Minifigs corporate and LEGO brand guidelines.”

The application proposed seven non-illuminated, static vinyl decals applied to the interior surface of existing storefront windows, along with a flat wall sign with 16-inch lettering in an area where 12-inch lettering is the maximum allowed.

Fisher said she understood and respected the intent of the sign code. But, she said, the decals she is requesting permit light and visibility into the store and do not extend beyond the window frame, and are for branding and promotional purposes only, without sales messages. 

“In comparison,” she said, “several immediate neighboring businesses already have larger opaque and promotional window signage.” 

And she noted there are multiple businesses nearby whose primary signage exceeds 16 inches.

Zoning Board Chair Peter Michaelis said he had no problem with the sign over the door — that the 16 inches looks appropriate. And he had no problem with the store hours sign that can be seen while people are driving by. But before he would consider all the decals, he said he had asked to have the Bedford Hills Business Association convene to discuss the issue of signs in the commercial district along Route 117. 

“You’ve got NAPA right next to you, they have eight stick-ons in their windows,” he said. “The smoke shop’s got practically no window anymore.” 

He continued with a litany of window signage in nearby businesses, calling out the spa that is now trying photographs with things that say “facial” underneath them, and “the new athletic facility next to the restaurant has big burly guys with weights on their hands.” 

“There’s a big discussion that needs to happen about what signs are here, because all of those buildings as far as I’m concerned are in violation of our sign code, and I don’t want our enforcement officer to go out and literally cite everybody,” Michaelis said.

He said he wanted some consensus, and they needed some kind of consistency in Bedford Hills, because otherwise “more windows will get filled up.” He preferred to approve the two signs Fischer most needed right away. 

Fischer said she really wanted the Bricks & Minifigs and LEGO logos, and was disappointed they would not be included in the approvals, though Michaelis said they would just be “on hold.”

Fischer reiterated that the logos are a requirement, are below the 20% of the glass area of the window permitted, and without them she risked being in violation of her franchise agreement, which could lead to other problems.

Michaelis said he had already had a conversation with the town supervisor about the situation, and asked for the BHBA’s involvement, assuring Fischer that the process was moving forward and she wouldn’t have to wait too long.

After this discussion, the board approved three signs, and put the others “on pause for now.”

At the Jan. 20 Town Board meeting, Supervisor Ellen Calves brought up the fact that this issue had been raised at the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“Our sign ordinance is pretty restrictive,” she said, “and in a lot of cases, you’re only supposed to cover 20% of business windows with signs, and you drive around and see some new businesses have covered every square inch of their windows with signs.” 

Calves said there needs to be some enforcement, but the ZBA requested that they ask the Business Association if there should be any modifications to the sign ordinance. She mentioned that there are sandwich board signs that are out on the sidewalks directing people to different businesses, which she said can be helpful, and other kinds of signs that are not allowed under the law “but are being used and might work.” 

Calves said they will wait for a report from the BHBA, and once it makes recommendations on what might work in the sign ordinance, the Town Board will have a work session. She noted that different types of signs make sense in different districts of town, and welcomed help from the board in drafting ideas for a revamped ordinance.