1997-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

i Pre-existing permitting signs may continue, all than ten (10) square feet in signboard area. No such other signs must be permitted as required by this sign shall be located nearer a street than one-half(1/2) By-law. Any sign allowed under this Bylaw may,in the required front yard depth. lieu of any specified copy, contain any otherwise I. By changing the first sentence of Section 174-54B lawful, noncommercial message that does not to read: direct attention to a business or to a service or to a commodity for sale. One (1) freestanding identification sign for a per- Explanation: To reflect changes to this article, as it mitted nonresidential building or use, not more currently refers to 1985. The second sentence pro- than six (6) square feet in signboard area, is per- E mitted. vides for on-premise signs (as regulated 174-54 and 174-55) that contain non-commercial messages Explanation: Bulletin board and announcement signs involving religious, political, or other ideological are used by the churches and other religious institu- statements. Such speech has been found to be protect- tions to identify who is giving the sermon and other ed under First Amendment rights and the regulation of special activities. Such signs are covered under the such speech would violate the constitution. The next provision. By deleting this specification provides Town's Sign By-law is also to be changed,deleting the a nonresidential building or use to have a minimal size section regulating time limits on political signs, as permanent freestanding sign. such signs are protected by the First Amendment. I. By inserting into the second and third sentences of II. Also by making the following changes to the last Section 174-54B the words "synagogues" and sentence of Section 174-51B: "mosques" and changing these sentences to read: All signs over six (6) square feet shall require For churches, synagogues, mosques or institutions, review and comment by the Design Review one (1) bulletin or announcement or identification Committee prior to the issuance of a permit for sign on each building and/or one (1) freestanding said sign by the Building Inspector. bulletin or announcement or identification sign is Explanation: Changing any to all provides more clari- permitted. Each church, synagogue, mosque or institution building sign shall be governed by ty. Deleting specifically identified areas will provide Section 174-55 B. that all signs over six square feet can have Design Review comment and review. Explanation:The addition of synagogues and mosques ' B. Section 174-51D currently reads: New signs is to be inclusive of different religious faiths. Two exceeding twenty (20) square feet require a special building signs did not make sense, particularly after permit from the Board of Appeals, in accordance with the change to the first sentence of Section 174-55B. Article VI. These changes would allow these facilities the oppor- tunity to have an announcement sign on the building By moving the text of Section 174-51D to the last sen- and, particularly for those churches with larger build- tence of Section 174-51B with the following change: ing setbacks,the opportunity to have a traditional free- All signs exceeding twenty (20) square feet require standing announcement sign. a special permit from the Board of Appeals, in The change of building sign area to being governed by i accordance with Article VI. Section 174-55B (see changes to that section)will pro- Explanation: Provide clarity and make article more vide signage that is based on the building/wall size, 5 coherent. which is more reasonable. The requirements of free- standing signs would be addressed through the follow- r C. Section 174-52G currently reads: Window neon- ing changes: type signs advertising products are not permitted. a I. By changing the fourth sentence of Section 174- By deleting Section 174-52G. 54B to read: rll S Explanation: This subsection is being deleted to allow Freestanding signs up to 10 square feet are allowed 't for limited use of neon signs as specified under for those identified institutions and may not be a changes to Section 174-55E. placed closer than 5 feet from the property line or Jblock a line of sight for pedestrian and traffic safe- D. Section 174-54B currently reads: One (1) bulletin ty if so determined by the D.P.W. Director. ,f or announcement board or identification sign for a per- mitted nonresidential building or use, not more than Explanation: To allow and provide better opportunity six(6)square feet in signboard area, is permitted. For to view signs and allow review by DPW director to B churches institutions two (2) bulletin or announce- apply traffic safety principles. This proposal would merit or identification signs are permitted on each help preserve the natural environment of the property, building. Each church or institution sign be not more e.g. do not have to clear cut to see such sign, which is 77 f