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Council opens public hearing on zoning amendment to increase window sign allowance from 15% to 25%
Summary
The council held a public hearing and took first-reading action on an amendment to the town zoning code to raise the allowable cumulative window signage from 15% to 25%; planning staff and the building inspector said the change eases enforcement and helps small businesses.
The Town of Middletown Town Council opened a public hearing and received an amendment to the zoning code on its first reading that would change window-sign limits in Title 15, Chapter 152 (zoning code). The amendment specifically proposes revisions to Article 12 (definitions) and related exemptions in Section 12‑O‑9 for non-illuminated window signs.
Peter Jenkins, a local business owner who operates a store at 1376 West Main Road, told the council he supported the change and said the earlier 15% rule had kept him from proceeding with new signage he needs after moving locations. He said the ambiguity kept him "stuck with this 15% rule" and delayed his investment. The council called up Chris Costa, the town’s zoning official, to explain the change. Costa said he cross‑referenced window-sign rules across roughly 20 municipalities and recommended the 25% cumulative allowance as enforcement-friendly and more consistent with similar communities. Costa said the 25% allowance would allow enforcement officers to make quicker determinations without calculating accumulative percentages for many small window signs.
Councilors and the building official discussed illuminated and flashing window signs; Costa said flashing signs and animated illumination remain regulated and that the office would pursue violations if signs did not meet the illumination rules. The planning board’s recommendation is on file and the public hearing will remain open; the council voted to receive the ordinance on its first reading.
No formal vote to adopt the ordinance was taken; staff said any final ordinance would return for further council action after the public hearing period and any required revisions.
