Meeting: New Sign Code Hangs in the Balance

Recent discussion in the City Council's Ordinance, Planning & Zoning Committee about grants for façade renovations has centered on the need to build a more consistent look, enhance buildings’ historic character, and still support business traffic on Main Street. The catalyst for this discussion has been the provision within the Main St. Façade Program that grants (up to $3000) can be used for signage--and the fact that the types of signage eligible for awards are not defined.

Tonight, the City Council is considering the following actions:

1. For now, withdraw grant eligibility for signage through the Main St. Façade Program except for where the signage is part of an awning;
2. Develop a new sign graphics ordinance strictly for Main St. with assistance from the Civic Progress Committee and the Heritage & Preservation Commission—in the meantime, strict adherence should be maintained to the existing sign ordinance regarding physical characteristics (e.g., height, width, mounting technique);
3. Where the new ordinance requires different types of signage at an additional cost, make the new expense eligible for grants through the Main St. Façade Program.

How would this work? The City could set aside $3000 from the current grant allocation to fund ten (10) grants of $300 each for signage.