The Claymont Renaissance Pharmacy and Cash Point lending facility both have another month to come into compliance with sign guidelines in this blue collar town that has an eye on completing its renaissance.
Cash Point and Renaissance Pharmacy both have relatively new signs that must be approved by the Claymont Design Review Advisory Committee. Businesses in violation of sign guidelines are given seven to 10 days to come into compliance. Otherwise, they face a citation and fine levied by the New Castle County Department of Land Use.
The owner of the Renaissance Pharmacy was a no-show for the second straight month at the Wednesday, June 24 DRAC meeting held at the Claymont Fire Co., said DRAC Chairman John DeCostanza.
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What's a DRAC for? The Claymont Design Review Advisory Committee was the first of its kind established by New Castle County in 2006 to offer a layer of local control over new development and signage in its unincorporated towns. Since then, Hockessin, Centreville and North St. Georges have also created DRACs. |
But, DRAC member Vernalee Frey said it was only fair to give the Claymont Renaissance Pharmacy more time, just as DRAC gave the Darley Road Pharmacy more time. Last month, the committee approved signage for Darley Plaza that does not meet the committee's guidelines for two years, giving it time to get on its feet.
As part of the measure to give Renaissance Pharmacy another month, NCCo Community Planner Mary Grace Novak will visit the pharmacy owner to persuade him to appear before DRAC.
As for Cash Point, Basil Kollias, one of the owners of KNG Properties and an attorney with Cooch and Taylor, successfully got a continuance from the Claymont DRAC until next month.
Claymont has a stringent signage guideline that requires every new sign – whether it’s a replacement sign or a new business – to come before DRAC, DeCostanza said.
“It’s been a learning curve for everyone.”
