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Commission previews major sign ordinance rewrite; LED church signs and temporary rules debated
Summary
Commissioners discussed a comprehensive rewrite of the town sign ordinance, including district-specific rules, emergency removal, LED monument signs in residential areas (possible special-exception treatment and curfews), and limits for temporary signs; staff will draft amendments for a public hearing next month.
The County Planning Commission opened a wide-ranging review of a proposed sign ordinance rewrite at its Jan. 15 meeting, focusing on district-specific rules, how to treat LED monument signs in residential zones, emergency removal authority, and limits on temporary signs.
Presenter explained the scope: the rewrite will divide sign rules by district, clarify permanent versus temporary signs and define multiple sign types. "This is... about 30, 40 pages," Presenter said, describing the extent of the proposed rewrite.
Staff member noted legal limits set by Supreme Court precedent, summarizing Reed: zoning regulations may control location and size but cannot regulate message content. Presenter and commissioners discussed handling LED signs in residential districts through a special-exception process with objective conditions rather than a content-based rule.
Commissioners recalled a past case where LED signs were permitted with conditions (for example, an off time): "they made it turn it off 10:00 at night and leave it off until 6AM," Presenter said as an example of practical conditions used previously. Commissioners discussed limiting the electronic portion of a monument sign and restricting approvals to churches or limited nonresidential uses in residential zones.
The commission also considered emergency-removal language to allow the town to remove fallen or hazardous signs without notice and proposed shifting some responsibilities from the building inspector to the zoning administrator for sign enforcement. Presenter recommended including an emergency-removal provision and the commission agreed it was reasonable.
On temporary signs, the commission weighed permit durations and size limits. Presenter suggested examples such as 14 days up to three months depending on use; commissioners suggested practical size limits (one example given was 12 by 18 inches for yard-sale style signage) while preserving flexibility for short-term community events.
What comes next: Staff will take tonight's suggestions, prepare a revised draft ordinance for the next meeting, and the commission will set a joint public hearing to solicit public input.
