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Harrisburg planning commission pauses proposed signage ordinance update for more review
Summary
The Planning Commission reviewed a proposed rewrite of signage rules (Chapter 7-3-25) to modernize allowances and clarify prohibited signs, and voted to continue the item so staff can provide a clearer change log and allow public review.
HARRISBURG — The Harrisburg Planning Commission discussed a proposed amendment to the city’s signage regulations (Chapter 7-3-25) that would streamline language, slightly increase permitted sign sizes in some districts, clarify allowances for corner properties and window signage, and explicitly prohibit certain exterior displays such as feather flags and convenience-store animated displays.
Planning Bureau staff member Jeff said most changes are modest — often about 25% adjustments in allowable sizes in various districts — and that the rewrite aims to make the code easier for businesses to use without increasing neighborhood impacts. He said one notable change seeks to better align local buy-right billboard allowances with industry panel sizes while increasing separation distances from residential lot lines.
“I tried to make it more evident that they are not permitted under the new ones,” Jeff said of animated or spinning convenience-store displays that staff want to prohibit. He also described expanding the window-signage allowance so businesses can use low-impact decals while discouraging full-window coverage that reduces street surveillance.
Commissioners raised questions about the technical basis for proposed billboard sizes (transcript discussion referenced the 672-square-foot industry panel standard and options in the 500–550 square-foot range) and asked for a documented change log. Commissioner Vincent urged staff to provide a concise, itemized comparison of existing vs. proposed language so commissioners and the public can more easily identify substantive edits.
“From a change-management standpoint…that way it’s clear,” Commissioner Vincent said, requesting side-by-side comparisons that call out major versus minor edits.
Staff said a marked-up version and a cleaned-up version will be posted, and that no final action needs to occur at the meeting; the commission agreed to continue the item to the March meeting to allow additional review and to preserve the public-notice and comment process required for citywide changes. A motion to continue was made and passed by voice vote.
Commissioner Reed also requested that the staff replace references to "State of Pennsylvania" with the statutory form "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" in the draft language where relevant. Staff agreed to make that edit and to prepare additional materials for the next hearing.
