Memorandum

To:                  Chair Forlano and Members of the Planning Board

From:              Andy Garman, Director of Community Development

Date:               5/9/08

Re:                  Discussion/Consideration of Proposed Sign Ordinance Amendments

 

The discussion at the April 9, 2008 meeting focused on a specific amendment to the standards for wall signs to extend their use to porch and deck railings.  As presented by staff, signs attached to porch and deck railings have become more prevalent throughout town and currently they are permitted as wall signs.  For permitting purposes, these signs have been included in the area allowed for business signage.  However, unlike typical wall signs where the sign cannot be greater than 20 percent of the wall to which it is attached, there is no specific standard applied to signs mounted to porch or deck railings to limit their overall size.  Staff presented a proposal to the Planning Board to create a standard for this type of signage.  As you recall, staff suggested that no more than 10 square feet of signage be allowed for every 12 linear feet of railing.  The standard was derived using the following assumptions:

 

-                      The standard railing height for commercial uses is 42 inches

-                      Twelve linear feet of railing at 42 inches high is approximately 42 square feet in area

-                      Ten square feet is slightly greater than 20 percent of 42 square feet

-                      This would be a logical extension of our existing wall signage regulations and would be easy to administer

 

After discussion, the Planning Board generally agreed with staff’s proposal with a few suggested changes.  Staff was asked to modify the proposal to limit the maximum signage to 10 square feet for every 12 contiguous linear feet of railing or 20 percent of the area of the railing section, whichever is less.  This would be an additional measure to control the area of these signs in cases where there may only be a very small section of railing.  This would reduce the likelihood that the sign would constitute the entire section of railing.  The ordinance has been modified and is attached for your review. 

 

The Planning Board also agreed on the following changes which have also been included for your review:

 

-                      The timeframe for removal of abandoned freestanding signs has been changed from 30 days to 12 months.  All other signs will have 90 days for removal.  The time limit will be based on the date that the business or activity has been vacated or terminated.

-                      For roof signs, the maximum allowable height will now be measured from the lowest point of attachment to the roof.  Previously the ordinance simply stated “the point of attachment” which was noted as somewhat ambiguous since there is often a considerable distance between the lowest and the highest point.

-                      Non-conforming wall signs have been removed from the amortization schedule and will only be corrected or removed when alterations are made.  The amortization schedule will now only apply to freestanding signs which must be compliant by July 7, 2010.

 

Unless the Planning Board has other modifications to suggest, these were the final amendments that staff was recommending to the sign ordinance.  Staff will be prepared to overview all sign ordinance amendments that have been recommended since November, 2007 and discuss how these might be presented to the Town Council.

 

 

Attachments:     Draft ordinance language including all amendments that have been reviewed to date.      Click to view