AVON, Ind. -- Members of the Avon zoning board voted 4-1 Thursday to not force the owner of a local coffeehouse to remove the business's sign.

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Sign's Detractors Speak Out Your Thoughts: Is It Offensive?

About 1,000 people signed a petition to remove the sign in front of The Bad Ass Coffee Co., claiming it is offensive.

The shop, located in a strip mall on Indiana 36, opened for business Dec. 19, RTV6's Jeremy Brilliant reported.

Many of the people who oppose the sign appeared at the meeting to express their opposition.

"It is an insult to me when I have to go down there and look at the thing," Avon resident Ed Boda said. "It may be the best coffee in the world, but I won't go in there if that sign is there."

City officials said their hands were tied when they made the decision to give the company a sign permit. Officials read dictionary definitions of both "bad" and "ass," and cited Biblical references in defense of their decision to allow the sign.

"This inability to regulate the content of signs is due to the First Amendment and the 14th Amendment of the Constitution," Avon Planning Director Bill Peeples said.

But opponents believe it's an abuse of freedom of speech.

"This is just the first step in Avon. If we let them have this sign, where do we go next? What's the next sign going to say?" Avon resident Louise Watkins said.

"Do this for the protection of the moral fabric of our community, but also do it for your families, your community and your good conscience," Avon resident David Keen said at the meeting.

Last month, the shop's owner, Michael Cunningham, told RTV6 that the word "ass" in the sign refers to the donkeys used to carry the Kona beans from the Hawaiian mountains. He said other Bad Ass stores in the country have experienced opposition to their signs, but noticed increased sales.

He said no Bad Ass stores have been forced to pull their signs.

Two other stores bearing the same name are expected to open in Indianapolis this month.

The sign's detractors can appeal the decision, but it will have to go through the judicial system, Brilliant reported.