Rangeley planning board approves edits to sign ordinance draft and sends proposal to legal review

The Rangeley Planning Board voted to accept an edited draft of the sign ordinance (Chapter 38-10) and to forward the draft to the town attorney for legal review. Members debated definitions and technical details before approving the motion to send the document to legal.

Discussion centered on several detailed points in the draft. Board members clarified that brand names and logos affixed to goods sold at a premises are excluded from the definition of a sign under the proposed language, and that a logo in the draft was described as a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office–registered mark. Members discussed how to treat multi-tenant signage: the draft permits additional square footage for multiple businesses but includes a firm upper limit on any single sign; board members emphasized a single sign should not exceed 32 square feet.

The board reviewed provisions on temporary designs and political signs. The draft exempts certain temporary photo displays (example given: graduating class displays at Rangeley Lakes Creek High School) and requires political signs to be removed within 10 days after an election. Members also discussed roof signs, noting the draft language prevents a sign from extending beyond a peak roof height.

On nonconforming signs the board debated a clause that would prohibit reconstruction of a nonconforming sign if the damage exceeds 75% of the replacement cost; some members questioned consequences for accidental damage. After discussion the board moved to accept the edited draft as prepared by Code Enforcement and the Planning Board and then amended the motion to forward the draft to legal; that motion carried on the board's vote.

The board scheduled the sign ordinance draft for legal review; staff will return any attorney recommendations to the Planning Board for further action prior to adoption.