Merlone-Geier is the developer of the proposed Arden Creek Town Center as well as the developer of the mostly-completed University Village shopping center, now called "The UV", 3 miles away on the periphery of the City of Sacramento. The Arden Creek project has been approved by county staff and is being appealed to the Board of Supervisors. The appeal is supposed to be heard on October 17th. One of the aspects being appealed is the signage. In response to the community, the Arden Arcade Community Planning Advisory Council (CPAC), saw no reason why the developer should have extra-large signs. County staff ignored the CPAC's recommendation and OK'ed giant signs because, well, you know, the Howe 'Bout Arden project got away with giant signs. "Whoa," said the appeal, "what's up with that?" And that's a really great point when you consider that "The UV" has smallish signs that discretely say, "this place is cool, hip and upscale", while the Howe 'Bout Arden signs scream, "Look at me, dammit!" by comparison. So why would Merlone-Geier want great big signs (bigger than the other nearby commercial centers) like Howe 'Bout Arden's instead of understated signs like its own development at "The UV"? The answer has a lot to do with where the project sits. The Arden Creek Town Center project is in Arden Arcade, part of the the vast unincorporated UnCity of Sacramento County, whereas "The UV" is in the City of Sacramento. Each jurisdiction has different sign regulations. Check out the graphics and ask yourself which project reflects a local governing body that values developers more than its people?