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Essex Junction delays major changes to sandwich-board rules, keeps warned LDC language
Summary
City council and the planning commission debated proposed land development code changes on portable “sandwich” signs and agreed to leave the warned LDC language in place while staff pursues more research, outreach and potential transition supports for businesses.
Essex Junction City Council and the Planning Commission discussed proposed changes to the city’s land development code (LDC) on sandwich-board signs and agreed to leave the currently warned LDC language in place while staff does more research and outreach.
The meeting reviewed differences between the planning commission’s November 2024 draft and the version being prepared for a council public hearing. The main points under discussion included the existing 15-foot limit from a business entrance, a planning commission proposal to measure 15 feet from a business driveway or walkway instead, a 12-foot spacing rule between boards, and an exemption for signs placed on publicly owned property for public notices. Several members said the driveway/walkway language and the removal of the public-notice exemption had not been fully vetted with affected businesses.
Council and commission members raised enforcement and equity concerns, noting that the city has inconsistent enforcement of the sign rules. Several speakers urged a transition period and suggested using the city’s economic-development resources to help small businesses adapt — including microgrants or a temporary allowance while property owners change permanent signage. Members also proposed more education and volunteer-led outreach instead of immediate punitive enforcement.
Participants asked staff to research specific points: whether the city can define “open hours” in a way that is administrable and content-neutral, whether signs on private landlord-owned lots should be treated differently, and how exemptions for nonprofits or places of worship intersect with content-neutrality rules. Staff said these issues will require legal and practical review before any additional LDC changes are advanced.
After extended discussion the groups did not adopt new code language. Instead, council members signaled consensus to leave the currently warned LDC amendments as-is for the upcoming public hearing, while directing staff to do follow-up research, expand outreach and return with clarifying language or implementation options. Members said they expect further public engagement, possible transition or incentive options for businesses, and additional work on enforcement approach and definitions in future LDC tranches.
