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Council approves sign‑code changes and higher building height in general commercial zones
Summary
York County approved text amendments to the sign code (eliminating the one‑sign‑per‑wall rule, allowing up to 400 sq ft signage for large buildings or an alternative 5% wall allowance) and a zoning change to allow up to 60 feet where a 200‑foot residential setback is provided, with limited rooftop amenity height exemptions.
York County Council approved two zoning text amendments on first reading after presentations by planning staff: one updates sign regulations to remove the single‑sign‑per‑wall limit and raise the maximum sign area for large buildings (staff recommended a 400‑sq‑ft cap with an alternative 5% of wall area); the other raises the maximum permitted height in the General Commercial district from 50 to 60 feet where a 200‑foot setback from residential lots is provided and adds a limited rooftop‑amenity exemption with step‑back rules.
Rick Abood, the county zoning administrator, explained the rationale for the sign code revision, saying a 400‑sq‑ft allowance for long buildings would help large retailers place signage where entrances and tenant areas occur. "We'd like to see the increase of maximum sign area from 200 to 400," Abood said. The Planning Commission and staff recommended a 400‑sq‑ft cap with variances available for unique cases.
Jonathan Buono, planning director, described the height amendment as a targeted change for the General Commercial district to allow greater building height only when a substantial setback (200 feet) from residential lots protects neighbors, and to add a rooftop amenity exemption that requires step‑back and height limits so rooftop structures do not create a visual 'extra story.' "Buildings in that district ... could go to 60 feet instead of 50 feet as a maximum, as long as they also supplied a 200 foot setback from a residential lot line," Buono said.
Council members asked technical questions about digital signs, visibility vs. distance from roads, and how rooftop mechanical equipment is treated; staff confirmed digital sign rules would not change and that typical mechanical projections were already exempted. Public comment was limited; hearings were closed and council voted to move both items forward according to staff and Planning Commission recommendations.
Next steps: Council has approved first readings and will return the ordinances for subsequent readings according to the county legislative schedule.
