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Planning commission to draft code 'themes' after sign-application confusion; chair proposes cross-commission workshop
Summary
Commissioners agreed to draft high-level themes for recommended code improvements — starting with signage and design-guideline alignment — and proposed a joint workshop or liaison process with the council and EDC to route recommended changes.
The Mount Airy Planning Commission agreed to begin drafting high-level recommendations to address recurring difficulties applying the town code — starting with signage design rules that have conflicted with existing downtown precedents. The chair said the goal is not to rewrite code line-by-line immediately but to present themes and examples the council could act on. "What I would offer John and and council member Kelly is let us put together some words as to those areas," the chair said, proposing the item be on the August agenda for commissioners to refine.
Commissioner Wallace and others said modern sign technology (for example, digital or newer display types) may fall outside the existing code and that revisiting the signage chapter would help staff and volunteers consistently apply standards. Council liaison Kelly and staff suggested routing the commission’s high-level draft through town staff and the council liaison; the chair also floated a joint workshop that includes the Economic Development Commission to harmonize standards and provide cross-commission input.
Next steps: Chair will produce a draft list of themes (starting with Section 112-11 on signage) for the August meeting; staff and the council liaison will advise on the best administrative path to present any recommended text changes to the council.
