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Proposals from the Town Planner on Zoning Bylaw Amendments: Temporary/Seasonal <br /> Signs and Donation Bins Mr. Lehrer reported that the language for Seasonal Signs was drafted <br /> following recent discussion suggesting that it could be improved and drawing from a previously <br /> drafted Bylaw at his previous job. Mr. Lehrer worked to simplify the seasonal sign question while <br /> empowering the Building Commissioner, a regulatory document using design guidelines provided by <br /> the Planning Board. Notes that appeared on the draft were provided by the EDIC,who requested a <br /> built-in timeline. It was Mr. Lehrer's opinion that this draft was more functional than the prior version <br /> proposed for Town Meeting. <br /> Mr. Hansen inquired about notes on the draft regarding the timeframe for removal of specific event <br /> signage and Mr. Lehrer responded that removal was changed to one day after rather than 7 days after <br /> the event. The Chair confirmed that the old one was approved by Design Review and this one would <br /> be approved by the Planning Board. Mr. Lehrer responded that the guidelines would be developed in <br /> the Design Review Committee and then presented to the Planning Board. The design guidelines could <br /> offer greater detail. Mr. Lehrer confirmed that sandwich signs would be separate. The signs under <br /> discussion would be anything non-permanent. Mr. Lehrer explained that temporary signs could be no <br /> larger than 12 square feet. Mr. Lehrer suggested that it would be best to establish design criteria and <br /> what was not permitted but the Chair stated her preference for the structure of the older version. Mr. <br /> Lehrer did not recommend the older version. Mr. Lehrer explained that a temporary sign would <br /> receive a permit and an A-frame sign would be treated separately, but still considered temporary. Mr. <br /> Lehrer explained that an A-frame sign communicated differently to the passer by and would not be an <br /> impediment and should be allowable as long as they conformed to the design guidelines and be <br /> removed when the business was closed. A-frame signs would not be along the roadway because its <br /> audience would be pedestrians, not drivers. Concern was expressed that the specificity should appear <br /> in the Bylaw but Mr. Lehrer stated it should be in the design guidelines. The design guidelines were in <br /> the process of being drafted. Mr. Lehrer stated that there were multiple types of signs that could be <br /> regulated by design guidelines and suggested that this proposed Bylaw was more straightforward than <br /> what was considered for October Town Meeting. Mr. Lehrer indicated that the Design Review <br /> Committee would first define neighborhoods and then craft the design guidelines and establish criteria <br /> for approval. The Building Commissioner would then be able to use the guidelines to make <br /> determinations. Mr. Lehrer explained that the guidelines would assist in limiting sign pollution around <br /> Mashpee. <br /> The Chair inquired whether signage areas would be determined by use and Mr. Lehrer responded that <br /> signage style would be determined by location and the need to communicate different messaging to <br /> their clientele. Mr. Lehrer noted that temporary signs were not the best way to communicate the <br /> location of a business at the end of a street, but instead a structure such as a placard. The Chair <br /> inquired whether all businesses would be able to use temporary/seasonal signs and Mr. Lehrer <br /> confirmed that anyone demonstrating a need and conforming to the design guidelines could, the goal of <br /> which would be to remove visual clutter but still add value to a business. The Chair felt that the draft <br /> bylaw could be perceived as allowing too many additional signs and suggested a cap. Mr. Lehrer <br /> suggested one per store front, but the Chair felt it would still be too many. The Chair stated that some <br /> people disliked sandwich board signs but Mr. Lehrer stated that the A-frame signs were only <br /> appropriate in Mashpee Commons, due to its walkability, and not along a roadway. Mr. Lehrer did not <br /> recommend regulation that gave some business owners rights and others no rights. Mr.Hansen <br /> suggested that a permit fee would guide whether businesses found it profitable to have a temporary <br /> sign and Mr. Lehrer agreed, adding that it would also be a means of tracking. <br /> 4 <br />