Planning commission recommends approval of comprehensive sign-code update, leaves minor edits to staff

The Lake County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a comprehensive amendment to the county sign code (File 24-39, Chapter 6 amendment to section 6.14), following an extended public hearing and detailed staff presentation on permitted sign types, prohibited signs, illumination standards and maintenance/enforcement provisions.

County planner Melissa (staff) reviewed the draft code sections presented in the staff report and discussed several substantive changes from the existing code: a clarified list of signs that do not require permits, updated prohibited-sign categories, a maintenance requirement for dilapidated or abandoned signs with a 14-day removal timeline for certain temporary signs, clarified rules for real-estate and temporary yard signs, controls on electronic message boards (size and brightness limits), and design guidance favoring neutral, “rustic mountain” monument signs.

Several members of the public and one commenter with regulatory experience submitted written comments (filed via the record) raising specific concerns: directory sign height (the draft sets a 15-foot maximum for directory signs per parcel), whether the right-of-way prohibition language is sufficiently clear or should be stated explicitly, and whether prohibitions against attaching signs to trees/fences apply broadly or only to posters/handbills. The commenter suggested retaining the previous code language that more clearly forbids signs in the public right-of-way and urged explicit allowances for small address and private-property signage.

Commissioners discussed those points during deliberations. Staff said the updated draft intentionally consolidates and reorders some provisions; staff also noted that other statutes and Colorado Department of Transportation rules also govern signage in state rights of way, and the draft retains cross-reference language to defer to those standards where applicable. Commissioners and commenters also discussed directory-sign height relative to snow-buildup and sightlines; some commissioners favored keeping a single directory sign per parcel at the proposed height rather than allowing multiple smaller signs.

The planning commission’s motion recommended approval with a condition allowing “minor modifications” (final graphics, formatting and nonsubstantive edits) to be made by staff before forwarding the final resolution to the Board of County Commissioners. The public record includes written comments submitted by at least one member of the public (Steve/Stephen; file not fully read at the hearing) and staff advised the commission that those written comments would be included in the record for the Board’s review.