By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — A request by Pottery Barn to add two large signs to its new building landed like a dropped vase at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting Tuesday.

Signtech, a representative for the nationwide chain, requested variances to add a large directional sign pointing to parking in the rear, and a “blade” sign, an illuminated sign extending outward from the right side of the façade, at 620 Post Road East.

ZBA members had issues with the size of the signs and whether they were really needed at the store’s new home after moving from Main Street. The store already has three signs, the limit under zoning regulations.

Some ZBA members appeared particularly perturbed to learn the store has been open to the public since mid-June without obtaining a certificate of zoning compliance.

“I can’t support this,” said Chairman Jim Ezzes. “There’s no hardship … a 4-by-10-foot directional side to the rear?”

“That’s ridiculous,” said alternate Jacqueline Masumian.

“I do think it’s going to take an arm and a leg to get people to park in that rear,” said member Amy Wistreich. “But it doesn’t need to say ‘Pottery Barn.’ It could just say ‘parking in rear.’ ”

“I don’t see the hardship,” Ezzes said. “The building is huge, you can’t miss it, it looks great.”

Member Josh Newman said he realized the parking sign would be large, “but it’s on the side of the building, where you’re going toward the rear anyway,” he said. “It would be a shame if they didn’t come back, there just was no signage of any kind.”

Masumian noted there already are arrows painted on the pavement.

Ezzes said that under the regulations, the store can have a 2-by-2-square directional sign without applying for anything.

The directional sign would have been 4½ feet high and almost 11 feet wide.

The illuminated “blade sign” would have been almost 11 feet wide and 1½ feet high, extending outward from the right side of the façade.

Variances were needed since the store already has the maximum three signs, and because the blade sign would have projected from the structure and because of the directional sign’s large size.

The applicant argued a larger directional sign for the alley leading to the rear parking was needed for safety, and because of the topography.

Ezzes made a motion to deny the application, and asked Deputy Zoning Director Michelle Perillie if it could be conditioned on requiring the store obtain its “certificate of compliance on this building, and a certificate of occupancy for a commercial building.”

“They should have had it before opening up the building,” Ezzes said.

“It’s crazy,” Masumian said.

“I have to be very blunt,” Ezzes said. “I think it’s irresponsible.”

“They need to comply,” he said. “Particularly because it’s a commercial building. It’s not a house. People are in there, something could happen.”

Newman wondered what the motivation to satisfy the condition would be if the application was denied.

The board nonetheless voted unanimously to deny the variance.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.