Sudbury design board recommends ZBA allow 2–3 line changeable panel on church freestanding sign

Susan Vollaro, chair of the Sudbury Design Review Board, said the board reviewed a proposal on June 10 for a new double-sided freestanding sign at Memorial Congregational Church, 26 Concord Road, and recommended that the Zoning Board of Appeals grant a special permit for a changeable-text panel beneath the main sign.

Dave Spatara of Signarama presented the design, describing a 60" x 36" main sign with a 45" x 16" area for changeable copy beneath it. Board members noted the property is in a residential zone and that, while Section 3252B of the town bylaws exempts religious-institution freestanding signs from a sign permit, Section 3247 prohibits changeable-copy signs; the lower panel therefore would need a special permit and the entire sign will require Historic Districts Commission review.

The board offered several design and compliance comments. Scott Utke recommended adding the property address to the top of the sign, noting that an address is mandatory for freestanding signs that require permits. Utke also said the proposed sign is larger than typical for a residential district. Vollaro said the size is acceptable given the building’s scale and the site’s proximity to the library and Boston Post Road, but she expressed concern about the proposed red background and said she preferred a white background. The board asked whether the lettering would be carved wood—as required for permitted freestanding signs—and was told the sign will use vinyl lettering to lower costs.

Members spent most of the discussion on the proposed changeable-text panel. The board noted numerous temporary signs on the property, some weighted with cinderblocks, and said a single permanent panel could improve the site’s appearance if it replaces existing temporary signage rather than adding to it. Spatara said the intent is to replace at least some of the temporary signs and to use the panel to post rotating event text. Board members questioned whether two lines of 4" text would be sufficient and agreed that three lines might fit within the proposed 16" height and serve as a better replacement for multiple temporary signs.

Utke suggested a fallback if the HDC or ZBA do not approve the changeable panel: the main sign could be lowered so that the distance from the bottom of the sign to the ground does not exceed 40%, consistent with town bylaws for permitted freestanding signs.

On a motion by Utke, seconded by Pang, the board voted 3–0 (Vollaro, Pang, Utke) to recommend that the Zoning Board of Appeals grant a special permit authorizing a 2–3 row changeable-text panel affixed below the new freestanding sign as a replacement for the multiple nonconforming temporary signs now in place. The board also approved the May 13, 2026 meeting minutes by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.