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Placerville commission recommends limited allowance for sandwich-board signs on Main Street with strict ADA and placement rules
Summary
After debate about ADA clearance, aesthetics and downtown boundaries, the commission voted 3–0 (one abstention) to forward to City Council a draft permitting regulated sandwich-board signs on a limited stretch of Main Street with standards including a 48-inch clear pedestrian path, one sign per building, 6 sq ft max per side and a $50 permit fee.
The Placerville Planning Commission voted to forward to City Council a draft amendment that would allow regulated A-frame (sandwich-board) signs on a defined portion of Main Street under strict standards to protect pedestrian access and historic character.
Staff presented a draft allowing one permitted sign per building, maximum 6 square feet per side (24x36 inch example), durable nonplastic materials, no lighting, and placement "adjacent to the building facade within 12 inches of the wall," while maintaining a continuous 48-inch clear pedestrian path. The draft included a nominal annual permit fee ($50) and revocation rules for violations.
Public commenters and several commissioners raised concerns about sidewalk obstructions, tree wells, trash cans, existing bulb-outs, and the visual clutter of multiple signs. Several commissioners suggested alternative approaches such as overhead projecting signs or limiting signage to the most pedestrian-heavy blocks of Main Street; one commissioner urged staff to consult the Merchants on Main before council action. Staff said the rule would apply only within the city's right of way and that multi-tenant buildings would need internal coordination to limit signs to one per building.
The commission ultimately voted to forward the draft with the discussed clarifications (eg., strike the word "immediately" from the placement line for clarity, require 48" clear path, and refine the geographic extent). Roll call: Sylvester Aye, Stratton Aye, Smith Abstain, Chair Keeney Aye; motion passed 3–0 with one abstention.
Next steps: Staff will refine the geographic extent and placement language, add alternatives discussed by commissioners, include Merchants on Main input in the staff report, and forward the item to City Council.
