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Middletown planning board backs clearer window‑sign rules, urges council to adopt 25% cumulative glazing cap
Summary
The Middletown Planning Board voted to recommend that the Town Council adopt an amendment to the town sign code allowing window signs to cover up to 25% of accumulated glazing, with supporting findings cited to state zoning law.
The Middletown Planning Board voted to recommend that the Town Council adopt an amendment to Town Code Chapter 152, Article 12, Section 1209 governing window signs that would permit window signage covering up to 25% of accumulated glazing for nonresidential uses.
The change was proposed after town staff conducted an enforcement sweep and found a high rate of apparent violations under the existing 15% rule. Town presenter Chris Costa said he inspected roughly 60 businesses and found many instances where single‑pane and multi‑pane storefronts exceeded the 15% threshold. Costa told the board he researched other Rhode Island communities and found window coverage allowances ranging from 30% to 50% in some jurisdictions and recommended 25% cumulative glazing to reduce ambiguity and improve enforcement consistency.
Board members debated aesthetic, safety and enforcement tradeoffs. Several members said they want to protect the town’s visual character and avoid “ungainly” large displays; others said the existing 15% rule has been widely ignored and that 25% would bring many businesses into compliance. Some board members asked staff about adding a maximum per sign expressed in square feet; one member proposed capping any single window sign at 12 square feet as a compromise. Costa said he had not calculated a single cap number and that a range of window configurations makes a single numeric cap difficult to choose on the spot.
After discussion the board voted to forward a positive recommendation to the Town Council, finding that the proposed amendments are generally consistent with the Middletown comprehensive plan and the purposes of zoning. The recommendation text, as approved by the board, cites the required findings and references Rhode Island General Law 45‑24‑30 in support of the motion.
The board noted that the amendment, as drafted, would not change rules for monument or building signs; it applies only to window signage. Board members also agreed the Town Council could revisit square‑foot limits or other refinements if the council or staff identify unintended consequences after adoption.
The board’s recommendation is advisory; final adoption rests with the Town Council.
