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Board recommends sign-code tweak to require 5-foot setback for commercial signs
Summary
Paynesville planning board recommended Ordinance No. 59 (series), clarifying sign-setback language to require 5 feet from adjacent property lines for commercial signs and keeping a 20-foot buffer where commercial abuts residential.
The Paynesville planning board recommended Ordinance No. 59 (series), a housekeeping amendment to the municipal sign code intended to resolve a contradictory setback provision.
Jennifer (speaker 4) told the board staff found conflicting language: one section effectively would have required a 30-foot setback (which would push signs deep into properties), while another section called for a setback measured as "one foot for each foot in height." To avoid requiring variances for typical commercial signs, staff proposed standardizing the adjacent-property setback at 5 feet for commercial districts while preserving a 20-foot buffer where commercial properties abut residential zones.
Board members said the edit would reduce unnecessary variance requests and better reflect how signs are currently installed around local businesses. After discussion, a member (speaker 2) moved to recommend Ordinance No. 59 (series) and another member (speaker 3) seconded; the chair called for a voice vote, members answered "aye," and the motion carried.
The board forwarded the housekeeping sign-code amendment to the city council for consideration.
