Planning commission approves two electronic message-board signs for local businesses and fire company

The Taneytown Planning Commission on an audible voice vote approved two separate requests to install electronic message-board signs: one for The Hitchman (a local business at 115 York Street) and one to replace the existing sign for the Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company.

The Hitchman’s representative, Adam Pino, told the commission that wind damage in December led the business to replace a 25-year-old sign and that the proposed message board would be smaller overall than the existing sign while allowing the business to show more of its services. “It’s a 25 year old sign, so I think it’s time,” Adam Pino said. The applicant said the finished topper and posts will remain in the same location and that the digital portion was sized to comply with current local sign-area rules.

The commission discussed permitting steps and whether the sign-permit application had been submitted to planning staff. Commissioners noted that the electronic message portion requires planning commission approval under the town’s ordinance; otherwise the sign would be administratively approved by staff. A motion to approve the electronic message board for The Hitchman was made and seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried (voice vote: “Aye”; numerical tally not specified in the record).

Later in the meeting the commission considered a replacement sign for the Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company. The applicant explained that part of the brickwork will be removed to fit the new sign panel into the existing frame so it would not appear as a “sandwich” installation. A commissioner moved to approve the replacement sign; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote (voice vote: “Aye”; numerical tally not specified).

The approvals were limited to the message-board or replacement-panel components requiring commission review; staff confirmed standard sign-permit submissions and any necessary permit fees and construction coordination would follow standard administrative processes. No additional conditions or amendments to the approved designs were recorded in the meeting minutes beyond staff’s normal permit-review steps.

The commission’s approvals do not include construction start dates, which remain subject to the applicants completing the town’s sign-permit requirements.