Commission reviews draft sign ordinance; members weigh awnings, window coverage and digital displays

Planning staff presented a draft sign ordinance and asked commissioners to review the memo and draft language ahead of an in‑depth June discussion. The draft—pulled largely from the prior signage language—addresses permit requirements, rights-of-way, awnings, freestanding signs and temporary signage. Commissioners flagged several editorial inconsistencies between summary tables and detailed provisions and asked staff to harmonize the draft.

Key points raised included: signs in the road right‑of‑way are generally not allowed except with approval for awnings that project from buildings; awning lettering should be constrained to the awning flap; and the commission should decide whether to regulate residential temporary signs differently from business signs (the draft currently treats many questions as business‑centric but includes residential provisions later). Commissioners also discussed moving from counting each separate window sign to a percentage‑of‑window‑coverage rule to address heavy realtor listing displays; staff proposed grandfathering existing signs but limiting replacements.

On digital and animated signage, staff noted legal limits on content regulation and suggested narrow allowances such as capped‑size interior displays to meet realtor needs while avoiding unrestricted moving signage. Commissioners asked staff to produce a revised draft that fixes table inconsistencies and clarifies rules on window coverage, awnings and temporary signs for the June meeting.

Next steps: commissioners will submit written feedback; staff will revise the draft ordinance and return it to the commission in June for detailed discussion.