An extra-large sign for an adult superstore is the source of controversy on the city's eastside, and just as controversial as the sign is the question of how it got there, 10TV's GlennMcEntyre reported.
The sign for the Lion's Den store sits near Interstate 70, just off the Alum Creek Driveexit.
The store opened with little fanfare; it was within zoning requirements for the area andrequired no special approval.
The sign soaring above it is another matter.
"No one's happy about it," said Mike Aaron, chairman of the Livingston Avenue AreaCommission.
Aaron said his commission was asked last fall to authorize the placement of an extra large sign,but for a different business named Fastenal.
"Currently most of the signs over there are 35 feet," he said. "Fastenal was asking for asign up to 75 feet."
The commission approved a 60-foot tall sign for Fastenal and a second future tenant, which wassupposedly going to be a waterbed store, McEntyre reported. The issue then went to the city'sgraphic commission, which also approved the sign.
That's when something changed.
"January 2010, lo and behold, there's a Lion's Den down on Alum Creek (Drive) now," Aaron said,"with a sign that's 60-feet up in the air."
Aaron accuses the company of a bait and switch.
"Their agenda was to get that sign up and they did just that," he said.
All Star Sign Company told 10TV that it deceived no one. A representative for the companysaid the application was for Fastenal and a future tenant. Once that tenant became the Lion'sDen, Fastenal no longer wanted to be on the sign.
That decision left the sign to the Lion's Den.
"Probably the Lion's Den thinks it was a big success," said resident Gretchen Garner. "AndAll Star, what do they care? They got paid. Maybe they'll get paid to take itdown."
Critics of the sign may be out of luck, as the City of Columbus said the commission can onlyconsider the size of the sign, McEntyre reported.
The type of business it is attached to is not a factor.
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