Commission recommends updates to sign ordinance to allow one freestanding sign per entrance for office/industrial parks

Planning staff presented a countywide amendment to Goochland County’s sign ordinance on Nov. 21 that would clarify definitions, reduce table complexity and allow an entrance‑based approach to freestanding signage for shopping centers, office parks and industrial parks.

Assistant Director Ray Cash said staff and Economic Development identified challenges for industrial parks with multiple entrances where current code effectively limits a project to a single freestanding entrance sign. The proposal would allow one freestanding sign per entrance and set a shared cumulative square footage cap for the project, with design standards and upkeep provisions.

Commissioners asked about who maintains signs and how to address outdated user listings. Cash said maintenance is the responsibility of the center owner or a business owners association and that the county’s enforcement is complaint‑driven. Commissioners also asked about lighting and staff said lighting and site‑plan provisions remain enforceable under other sections of the code.

Public commenters who manage or use local office/industrial parks supported the change, saying interior wayfinding is currently poor. The commission voted 5‑0 to recommend approval and scheduled the amendment for a Board of Supervisors public hearing on Jan. 7, 2025.

Why it matters: The change is intended to improve access and visibility for businesses in office and industrial parks while standardizing sign design and reducing contradictory ordinance language.

Next step: The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Jan. 7, 2025.