8-19 Newsletter Copy

After a barrage of social-media complaints from disgruntled customers, Target has decided to remove gender-based signage, according to the International Business Times. Some parents complained that the retailing giant installed in-store signage that made distinctions between “building sets” and “girls’ building sets”, among other separations based upon gender.

In a statement on its website, Target said, “"Over the past year, guests have raised important questions about a handful of signs in our stores that offer product suggestions based on gender. In some cases, like apparel, where there are fit and sizing differences, it makes sense. In others, it may not. Historically, guests have told us that sometimes—for example, when shopping for someone they don’t know well—signs that sort by brand, age or gender help them get ideas and find things faster. But we know that shopping preferences and needs change and, as guests have pointed out, in some departments like Toys, Home or Entertainment, suggesting products by gender is unnecessary." Such a policy might seem to some an overzealous action to respond to political correctness, but, at least, it affirms that customers pay attention to signs’ messages.

In other news:

• Lake Central (IN) High School officials are mulling their options after the St. John’s Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) denied its request for a sign variance. Howard Marshall, the school board’s vice president, said, “It represents a $200 million facility, and it also is representing the sixth- or seventh-largest high school in Indiana.” The school’s sign exceeds the town ordinance’s permitted height limit, 10 ft. According to a Chicago Tribune article, the sign also exceeds the 30-sq.-ft. limit by more than 200 sq. ft. Paul Panczuk, a BZA member, said the sign could have complemented the school, but noted that it’s “pretty much in the middle of the road” and claimed it’s a distraction. Marshall concluded, “We play a large part in hopefully drawing people to the St. John’s area. The marquee could represent student accomplishments, any upcoming [school or town] events.”

• The Lawrence (KS) Journal-World published an August 6 editorial about the Lawrence City Commission’s consideration of sign-code modifications to accommodate corporate-sponsorship signage at Sports Pavilion Lawrence, a local athletic facility. Commissioner Matthew Herbert questioned the sign code’s validity; he stated, “If a code is so malleable that the city can violate it at will, then perhaps the ordinance doesn’t need to exist.” In response, the editorial called Herbert’s assertion an overreaction and noted, “Herbert should read the entire sign ordinance and envision what Lawrence might look like if all its provisions were thrown out.” Commissioners Herbert, Leslie Soden and Stuart Boley voted 3-2 to deny the staff’s request to consider sign-code amendments.

• Newberry, FL residents can expect to see tighter enforcement of its sign codes, according to the Alachua County Today. The article notes the city has hired a full-time, code-enforcement officer, as well as the prevalence of non-compliant signs on State Road 26, the town’s main thoroughfare, such as changeable-letter, portable marquees, which violate the town’s ordinance. Bryan Thomas, the town’s director of planning and economic development, said local officials “aren’t in love” with the current sign ordinance, and will begin work on significant revisions.

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