Commissioners call for downtown sign and color guidance, propose small work session with borough council

Commission members used the same meeting to raise aesthetic concerns about bright or oversized signs and exterior paint colors in the downtown historic area and suggested convening a small work session with borough council to develop guidance for signs and storefront colors.

Several members identified the 200 block of Locust Street as an example of a bright illuminated sign on a smoke shop that they believe distracts from historic architectural features; commissioners said their sign ordinance allows some signage that ‘‘identifies what is being sold’’ without requiring prior approval, which can limit the commission’s review of such signs. One commissioner said the bright, white sign is distracting and “doesn’t fit” the historic streetscape. The commission discussed that paint color and sign intensity can undermine the overall historic character of downtown and suggested the council consider overlays or clearer guidance on permitted colors and signage in the historic district.

To move forward, a member said they would contact the borough council president about forming a small group or committee (kept below the council quorum) to discuss a downtown vision and possible sign/color guidance; commissioners emphasized avoiding a quorum and keeping early conversations limited to a few members so the work session would not trigger formal public-meeting advertising rules. Commissioners discussed examples from other historic cities and said they would research district overlays and design-control approaches to inform eventual recommendations to council.

The transcript shows this was a discussion item and no formal policy was adopted. Commissioners noted the limits of their ordinance and that some signs that identify the nature of a business can be exempt from prior approval; any specific regulatory changes or enforcement actions would require separate consideration by the borough council or through the formal permitting process.