95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Noto’s at the Bil-Mar owners seek more visibility with new illuminated sign

Noto's at the Bil-Mar
Noto's at the Bil-Mar Facebook page
Noto's at the Bil-Mar

The owners of Noto’s at the Bil-Mar in Grand Haven want to put up another illuminated sign to make the beach restaurant more visible, but they don’t have permission from city council so far

“It just illuminates the wall behind the black letters.”

Co-owner Tom Noto say the proposed sign on the south wall of Noto’s at the Bil-Mar restaurant would not be a nuisance to nearby neighbors.

“it is not shining on anyone’s window.”

His brother Anthony Noto says the sign will advertise the restaurant.

“We have a large investment. It’s simply doing business.”

But the Grand Haven Planning Commission did not approve the sign, and city council member Karen Lowe doesn’t either.

“There has never been a commercial sign on the south wall let alone an illuminated sign.”

Not correct says Tom Noto.

“The old Bil-Mar did have a painted sing on the south wall with a spotlight shining down.”

Council member Lowe suggest a compromise. Turn the sign off at night.

“Kind of a meet in the middle solution not illuminating the sign between midnight and six.”

A plan not supported by council member Michael Fritz.

“I own a business I have a sign on all day and all-night people can see it no matter what time. “But it doesn’t face into a residential area.”

Council may reconsider the sign request when all four members are present. Councilman Fritz and Mayor Bob Monetza think they should.

“Yes, I would like to see it again. “I would like to see it again.”