Westminster planning commission backs ban on foam, 3D-printed and cut acrylic storefront letters

The Westminster Planning Commission on Dec. 17 unanimously recommended that the City Council approve a zoning text amendment that would ban foam, 3D‑printed and cut acrylic letters and clarify rules for wall signs and storefront transparency.

Ken Fitzelman, principal planner for the city, presented the staff proposal for Case 2025‑0237. "This amendment would add foam, 3 d printed and cut acrylic signage as prohibited sign types," Fitzelman said, explaining that the city’s building and code‑enforcement staff had found those signs difficult to regulate and prone to deterioration.

Fitzelman told commissioners the prohibited types are lightweight letters and faces that are typically stuck to building façades without a building permit. He said the letters can fall off, often taking paint with them, and that foam and some…