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Lake County committee approves reusable, QR-enabled signage for land-use hearings
Summary
Committee approved an ordinance amending posting requirements in Chapter 151 to allow reusable corrugated plastic signs on metal frames with a QR code and contact information linking to the county planning calendar, replacing single-use laminated paper signs.
The Lake County Planning, Building, Zoning and Environment Committee voted Sept. 3 to amend Chapter 151 of the Lake County Code of Ordinances to permit reusable hearing signs for unincorporated properties, replacing single-use laminated paper postings.
Melanie Comer, a planner with the Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department, told the committee the department currently posts 24-by-36-inch yellow laminated paper signs for zoning hearings that often do not last the required 15-day posting period. Comer said the proposed signs would be corrugated plastic mounted on a metal frame, include a short notice that “a hearing is to be held regarding this property,” a department phone number and a QR code linking to the planning calendar where hearing details are posted.
Comer said the department typically posts about two signs per site and that the Zoning Board of Appeals hears roughly 30 cases per year, producing about 60 single-use signs annually. The proposed approach would rely on a smaller inventory of reusable signs — Comer estimated about 10 — that staff could deploy, collect and reuse for future hearings.
Committee members asked how the QR code would function. Comer said it would link to the Planning, Building and Development website and that the front page contains a calendar listing Zoning Board of Appeals hearings; staff phone assistance would also be available for people who do not use the website. She said the Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed the proposal, had no substantive changes and supported the amendment following a public hearing with no public comments.
Member Schlick requested the sign design be shared before the full county board meeting; Comer agreed to provide it. Member Schlick and other members expressed support for the change, with one member noting many municipalities already use standardized reusable signage to improve public notice consistency.
The motion to amend Chapter 151 passed unanimously (motion by Member Campos, second by Member Schlick). The committee’s action directs the proposed ordinance forward for subsequent county board consideration and implementation details to be finalized by staff.
