A West Side drugstore and an East Side Dunkin Donuts refused sign approvals. Bernard Weiser, owner of Thomas Drugs located at 179 Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side, Manhattan, installed without permits an illuminated storefront sign, neon lights, and a fixed awning over the entrance. The store, located in a neo-Grec style flats building, displayed two grandfathered neon signs in the windows that read “Drugs.”

On March 17, 2004, Landmarks issued NOVs to Weiser for the sign, lights, and awning. When Weiser applied to legalize the work, Landmarks denied the request, explaining that the sign projected too far beyond the facade and that neon lights, in addition to the original lights, were excessive. Landmarks also determined that the shallow projection and long slope of the awning were not proportional to the size and height of the door opening. The sign, neon lighting, and awning were not typical of the early 20th century storefronts that contributed to the architectural and historic character of the Upper West Side Historic District.

Landmarks also denied Dunkin Donuts’ application for a storefront sign at 1392 Lexington Avenue in the Carnegie Hill Historic District on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, finding that the sign would call undue attention to itself and would detract from the historic features of the storefront.

LPC: 179 Columbus Ave. (CD# 06-9119) (July 12, 2006); LPC: 1392 Lexington Ave. (CD# 06-9011) (July 3, 2005). CITYADMIN