Bolton PZC reviews proposed sign regulation changes, shifts several permit decisions to staff

At a public meeting on Oct. 8, 2025, the Bolton Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed proposed revisions to the town's sign regulations that would streamline some permit decisions and clarify restrictions on roof and illuminated signs. The ongoing discussion covered Sections C–E of the draft regulations and focused on which sign types should require Commission approval versus staff review.

Commissioners and staff discussed keeping Section C (Prohibited Signs) largely as written after debating whether to ban internally illuminated, banner, and flashing electronic signs; members noted circumstances where those signs can be appropriate. In Section D (Permanent Signs Permitted in Commercial or Industrial Zones) the PZC proposed several edits: for Primary Attached Signs, staff recommended replacing specific lighting options with a note reading "as determined by staff" and deciding whether to list the zoning enforcement officer under the Permit column. Secondary Wall Signs would explicitly allow canopy signs and add the "as determined by staff" lighting note; language prohibiting roof signs was moved into Section C (renumbered) and the Roof Signs row was removed from the Section D(1) table. For Detached and Freestanding signs commissioners recommended changing the Permit column from "Commission" to "Staff" and striking conditional language that began "if the Commission finds."

The PZC also reviewed the Unified Development sign, proposing to add the term "industrial park" after "business park," removing a redundant sentence about entrance signs, and retaining Commission approval for that sign type. Directional device and traffic control device sections remain unchanged, while window signs were held for further staff discussion. In residential zones the Commission discussed allowing a choice between a Primary Wall Sign or a Freestanding Sign for residential businesses; they proposed removing a placement restriction for Announcement Signs and considering an increase in permitted size. Several items were flagged for staff to clarify (lighting determinations, ZEO listing in the permit table, and window-sign standards) before the PZC takes further action.

The discussion was driven by correspondence from staff: P. Carson emailed the draft sign regulations with staff comments, and M. D'Amato provided specific suggestions on updating or eliminating sign definitions and on whether equipment such as generators, LP tanks, and condenser units should be regulated within the sign code. No formal vote on the sign regulation edits was taken at the Oct. 8 meeting; the PZC directed staff to follow up on the flagged issues and to return with refined language for subsequent review.