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July 11. 2012 10:59PM
Londonderry taking another look at sign ordinance
LONDONDERRY — Changes to the town’s sign ordinance could mean added advertising for small businesses and fewer frustrations for the town’s zoning officer, proponents of the plan told the Planning Board on Wednesday night.
During this week’s meeting, Kathy Wagner, who oversees the town’s Commerce and Visitors Center, said the town’s retail businesses are particularly hampered by the current sign ordinance.
Wagner brought along several examples of the signs in question, noting that a 3- or 4-foot-high temporary sign could make a world of difference to local business owners.
“Personally, in today’s climate, I see nothing wrong with allowing a restaurant to put out their specials or a florist to advertise their flowers in stock that day,” Wagner said. “I’m asking we allow the ability for business to have a way to entice people to come inside so they can make their money. I think the existing sign ordinance is a little rigid.”
“It’s very difficult to police these signs right now,” Chief Zoning Officer Richard Canuel admitted. “It’s definitely frustrating for our small businesses when I approach them and tell them they can’t advertise this way, and I’d support this type of amendment. Though I do think we need to have some sort of restrictions.”
Right now such signs are considered “A-frame, temporary signs,” according to Canuel, and in most cases they’re only allowed during the summer months.
But allowing businesses to use the portable, sandwich-board style signs year-round could be a perfect compromise, Wagner said, as such signs would allow businesses to communicate with customers and would also be easy to disassemble and take inside when necessary.
Regardless, Wagner noted that sign enforcement has been inconsistent at best.
“If you drive around town you see temporary signs out there right now,” she said. “But if you’re going to put a sign out you need to take proper care of it and bring it inside when you’re closed.”
Board member Mary Soares asked how town officials might go about regulating the collapsible signs.
“I would suggest we regulate the size of these signs rather than what’s on them,” board Chairman Art Rugg said.
Rugg further suggested Wagner meet with Town Planner Cynthia May and Community Development Director Andre Garron to further refine the drafted amendment, with those results to be further discussed during an upcoming public workshop.
Any final decision would rest on the Town Council and likely be subject to a public hearing, Rugg said.
Garron said one concern that comes to mind would be the possibility of signs impeding visibility at the end of driveways.
“Obviously, we’d want to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said Garron.
The sign ordinance will be discussed further during next month’s Planning Board meeting.
April Guilmet may be reached at AGuilmet@newstote.com.
During this week’s meeting, Kathy Wagner, who oversees the town’s Commerce and Visitors Center, said the town’s retail businesses are particularly hampered by the current sign ordinance.
Wagner brought along several examples of the signs in question, noting that a 3- or 4-foot-high temporary sign could make a world of difference to local business owners.
“Personally, in today’s climate, I see nothing wrong with allowing a restaurant to put out their specials or a florist to advertise their flowers in stock that day,” Wagner said. “I’m asking we allow the ability for business to have a way to entice people to come inside so they can make their money. I think the existing sign ordinance is a little rigid.”
“It’s very difficult to police these signs right now,” Chief Zoning Officer Richard Canuel admitted. “It’s definitely frustrating for our small businesses when I approach them and tell them they can’t advertise this way, and I’d support this type of amendment. Though I do think we need to have some sort of restrictions.”
Right now such signs are considered “A-frame, temporary signs,” according to Canuel, and in most cases they’re only allowed during the summer months.
But allowing businesses to use the portable, sandwich-board style signs year-round could be a perfect compromise, Wagner said, as such signs would allow businesses to communicate with customers and would also be easy to disassemble and take inside when necessary.
Regardless, Wagner noted that sign enforcement has been inconsistent at best.
“If you drive around town you see temporary signs out there right now,” she said. “But if you’re going to put a sign out you need to take proper care of it and bring it inside when you’re closed.”
Board member Mary Soares asked how town officials might go about regulating the collapsible signs.
“I would suggest we regulate the size of these signs rather than what’s on them,” board Chairman Art Rugg said.
Rugg further suggested Wagner meet with Town Planner Cynthia May and Community Development Director Andre Garron to further refine the drafted amendment, with those results to be further discussed during an upcoming public workshop.
Any final decision would rest on the Town Council and likely be subject to a public hearing, Rugg said.
Garron said one concern that comes to mind would be the possibility of signs impeding visibility at the end of driveways.
“Obviously, we’d want to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said Garron.
The sign ordinance will be discussed further during next month’s Planning Board meeting.
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April Guilmet may be reached at AGuilmet@newstote.com.