Clayton planning commission advances graphic wayfinding banner design, outlines sponsorship plan

The Planning Commission of the Town of Clayton discussed a proposed program of downtown wayfinding banners on Tuesday, directing volunteers and staff to refine designs and pursue sponsorships before the next meeting.

Commissioners and volunteers said the design will combine a top banner reading “Welcome to Town of Clayton,” a graphic of downtown buildings and a detachable lower panel for directional wayfinding and sponsor information.

The discussion matters because the banners are intended to mark a defined “historic downtown” zone, help visitors find parking and businesses, and be affordable through private sponsorships.

Commission members described two primary color options and several mounting and material choices. One presenter said a white background “tends to stand out more as you’re driving,” while others said a blue design was more attractive for pedestrians and closer viewing. The group discussed small detachable lower panels that would list parking or directional arrows and a separate sponsorship panel attached below so sponsorships could be swapped without reprinting the entire banner.

Participants raised installation details: the commission noted existing brackets on some poles and discussed using unused poles as well as installing brackets on the opposite side of poles so banners read from both directions. The group considered rigid, nonflapping panels and lower-cost fabric banners; rigid panels were described as higher cost and shorter-lived. They also asked the vendor to supply banner mock-ups consistent with the town logo used on the town website.

Commissioners agreed to get additional artwork before placing an order. The commission asked a local artist who runs a nearby studio to brainstorm a logo alternative to the current town plate and to coordinate that artwork with the revamp of the town website. The commission also said the vendor should provide final price options for banner production and for the detachable sponsorship panels so the commission can begin recruiting sponsors.

For next steps, volunteers will provide refined design options and a vendor quote at a future meeting; commissioners said they will consider how holiday or seasonal banners (such as DAR or holiday flags) will interact with permanent wayfinding panels. The commission did not take a formal vote on production or procurement at Tuesday’s meeting.

The commission thanked the volunteers and staff working on wayfinding and said it expects further design choices and cost details in coming months.