Gilded Comb barber shop granted variance for sign

PALOUSE - The Palouse Board of Adjustment held a public hearing on Wednesday, August 9, to discuss a variance request by a local barber shop, the Gilded Comb, 122 North Bridge Street, to allow a sign on the building.

Owner Kelly Reiber-Nascimento stated that the city administrator gave her a formal complaint in April because she had already hung the sign.

After checking several laws under which her sign had fallen into the regulations, Reiber explained that she hung the sign. Still, the City of Palouse had a separate ordinance requiring the sign to be 10 feet from the sidewalk.

Upon visiting City Hall, Reiber was informed that they were not the proper avenue, that she had to pay $100 and apply for an application of variance, culminating in a public hearing with the board of adjustment.

Reiber explained that up until that point, since she received the complaint, she did an informal petition for the sign outside of her barber shop. Within a week and a half she received 130 signatures.

At the Board of Adjustment's public hearing on August 9, Reiber stated there was a packed room, "around 20 people in there speaking on behalf, in support of the sign," Reiber added, "Palouse City Council members Brink and Brooks attended the meeting on my behalf."

Reiber explained that there was only one opposing email.

Palouse citizen Jamie Gaber who observed the meeting, explained that the Gilded Comb was granted the variance, allowing Reiber to keep the sign where it is.

"There was a condition leaving a large, heavy pot under it just to keep any small traffic from going under it," Gaber said, adding that they also required Reiber to add a line of rubberized edging along the outside edge of the sign.

"I'm super glad that board voted in approval; they had great questions," Reiber said, adding that the sign was hung where it is to maintain the history of the brick building.

Gaber explained that the placement had to do with not drilling into the building itself and that it was beneficial to mark the door due to multiple entries around the area.

"The sign is a locally made custom design sign out of Potlach," Gaber added.

"I appreciate and have the utmost gratitude of the Palouse community in supporting me," Reiber said, adding that it made her feel better in the process.

Reiber stated she was also grateful to the Board of Adjustments for listening to her as a business owner and hearing the community members who attended the public hearing.

"I was glad to see that the board granted her the variance," Gaber said, noting that the sign looks good and adds a welcoming element to the business instead of being up high and hard to see.