Commission reviews broad sign-code rewrite, seeks clearer rules on banners, building ID and lighting

Planner presented a comprehensive rewrite of the town's sign chapter and walked commissioners through key topics: residential exemptions, Historic Preservation District material and color compatibility, rules for temporary signs and banners, building-identification calculations, sandwich-board siting, sponsor-logo limits, and sign lighting.

On temporary signs and flags: planner said most temporary banners and community event signage are treated as temporary and largely exempt from permit requirements, but the draft treats signs located within the Historic Preservation District as requiring material and color compatibility when not otherwise exempt. Commissioners sought clarity on whether event flags and national flags would be restricted; planner confirmed government and school flags are exempt and commissioners agreed national flags should remain exempt.

On building identification and allowable sign area: the planner explained that the draft calculates allowable sign area as the larger of 20 square feet or 7% of facade area. Directory or building-identification signs for multi-tenant buildings are currently treated separately and are not counted toward the 7% total, a point the commission asked to keep clear in the code language.

On banners on fences and the town entrance banner: commissioners raised questions about the long-standing banner at the town entrance and other banners that appear to sit on private fences. Planner and commissioners agreed to check ownership with the Chamber of Commerce, town administration and public works and to confirm whether any variances apply.

Sponsor logos and event signage: commissioners questioned language that would limit sponsor logos relative to primary content. The planner proposed clarifying the rule to require sponsor fonts or logos to be smaller than primary event content (for example, sponsor text at no larger than 50% of the primary font size) to avoid commercial branding overtaking community event signage.

On lighting: commissioners asked the planner to specify a Kelvin range for allowed exterior decorative lighting to avoid ambiguity about "warm" light while protecting dark-sky goals. Discussion ranged around 2,700–3,000K as a warm range, with one commissioner suggesting 1,800–4,000K to be inclusive. The commission also asked for a clearer definition of "intermittent" so that motion-activated or safety-triggered lights wouldn't be inadvertently prohibited.

Next steps: planner said she will reword the sections discussed and present an updated sign-code draft at the next meeting.