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Planning board considers sign-ordinance changes after Tractor Supply variance appeal
Summary
Board discussed proposed zoning text changes to increase allowable wall-sign area in commercial zones, reviewed Tractor Supply's existing sign sizes and a rehearing request, and planned a public hearing on updated language.
The Brentwood Planning Board reviewed a proposed update to the town's sign ordinance aimed at easing size limits for wall-mounted signs in commercial zones. The discussion followed an appeal and rehearing request related to a variance application by the Tractor Supply site, where board members said the current wall- and freestanding-sign rules date from roughly 30 years ago.
Board members and staff reviewed the existing standards described in the ordinance: freestanding signs have a 75-square-foot maximum (board members discussed proposing an increase to 100 square feet), while wall-mounted sign area is currently calculated at a half-square-foot per linear foot of building frontage. The draft change discussed would increase that allowance to roughly one square foot per linear foot of building frontage; participants also considered a separate maximum cap (charters mentioned both 20 square feet and a derived maximum tied to building frontage during the discussion). Board members repeatedly noted ambiguities in the draft language and asked staff (Glenn) to revise the wording for clarity before a public hearing.
Speakers cited the Tractor Supply site as an immediate example: participants said the existing Tractor Supply wall sign is about 108 square feet and the applicant had sought an additional sign of about 61.46 square feet. The board discussed whether repeatedly sending sign applicants to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) for variances was the right long-term approach and whether aligning Brentwood's rules with neighboring towns (Kingston, Epping) would reduce appeals. Members also flagged safety and lighting concerns: the town's setback along the main thoroughfare (roughly 25 feet from pavement) means wall signs are set back from the road, while freestanding signs and animated or flashing lighting remain points of safety concern. The board agreed to have staff refine the draft ordinance language, add conditions such as requiring freestanding signs to display street addresses and turning signs off outside business hours, and to schedule a public hearing at a future meeting.
